As an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, the Registered Nurse utilizes the nursing process to provide therapeutic care to patients. The Registered Nurse is accountable for the coordination of patient care and education to the patient and family in accordance with the standards, policies, and practices in a compassionate, supportive, and therapeutic environment.

Essential Duties:

• Follows policies and procedures; demonstrates ability to access online manuals.
• Transfers learned scientific knowledge into practical application in applying the Nursing Process.
• ASSESSMENT Appropriately completes Nursing Assessment upon patient admission, at each shift and with change of condition. Completes patient acuity by 0200/1400 daily.
• DIAGNOSIS Interprets assessment information and formulates Nursing Diagnoses.
• PLAN Develops Plans of Care with individualized interventions. Documents expected/projected patient outcomes. Reviews/Revises/Updates Plans of Care daily based on evaluation and interpretation of patient outcomes.
• INTERVENTION Administers medication and IV therapy appropriately at prescribed intervals. Completes patient care procedures correctly per policy at prescribed intervals. Delegates tasks based on others' scope of practice and competency. Acts as patient advocate. Manages restraint use per policy Attempts alternative non-restraint measures first. Assures complete MD order per policy. Ensures MD assessment per policy. Assures patient monitoring per policy. Ensures Restraint Audit Form is completed each shift.
• DOCUMENTATION Documentation is complete and correct on all flow sheets and chart forms: Admission Assessment Pain scale assessment and reassessment before and after intervention Daily flow sheet Restraint flow sheet Diabetes flow sheet Room/unit orientation Plan of Care Identifies knowledge deficits related to diagnoses and care Uses and provides MICROMEDEX information to patients and families. Educational flow sheet Kardex Care Plan Risk Assessment & Reassessment upon Fall MAR Equipment & Supplies Intra and Inter Facility Transfer Forms Belonging Tracking Form Ensures orders are transcribed and signed off prior to the end of the shift. Completes 12h/24h chart checks
• EDUCATION Provides patient/family education as needed * Room/unit orientation * Plan of Care * Identifies knowledge deficits related to diagnoses and care Uses and provides MICROMEDEX information to patients and families
• TRANSFER & DISCHARGE * Collaborates with Case Manager and/or physician regarding discharge planning. * Ensures all transfer paperwork is completed. * Ensures belongings are sent with patient.
• EQUIPMENT Utilizes patient care equipment appropriately and safely according to manufacture guidelines * IV pump * Feeding pump * PCA pump * Epidural pump * Sequential compression device * Wound VAC * Heating pad/pump
• COMMUNCATION Communicates effectively with all members of the healthcare team including patient and family: * Shift to shift report * Physician Rounds * Patient/family interactions * MDP Rounds * Hand-Off reports * Facility E-mail Student/New employee/Contract employee
• ORGANIZATION * Manages time effectively. Able to organize and prioritize responsibilities. * Takes meal breaks without incurring overtime. * Completes shift on time.
• OBSERVES REGULATORY AGENCY REQUIREMENTS: * National Patient Safety Goals Patient identifiers Unapproved abbreviations Universal Protocol (Procedural Time Out) Hand-Off Medication Reconciliation Clinical Alarms Other * Hazardous waste management Biohazard Medication Sharps * HIPAA * OSHA requirements (i.e. no food or drink in clinical areas) * JCAHO - continuous survey readiness Critical Values * Write Down * Read Back * Follow up Telephone order * Appropriate * Documented * Signed, Timed and Dated * Stamped * Entered into unit log Maintains safe practice in the work environment * Correct body mechanics * Electrical safety * Infection Control Procedures * Hand Washing
• MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF MEDICAL SURGICAL PATIENTS * (6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with THA. * (6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with TKA. * (6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with spinal surgery * (6S) Demonstrates the ability to maintain isolation precautions, respiratory and nutrition care specific to cystic fibrosis patients. * (6S) Demonstrates the ability to manage medications and maintain protective isolation precautions for patients with abdominal organ transplants. * (6S) Institutes safety precautions and skin care for patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
• MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF PATIENTS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT/S * Demonstrates the ability to manage complex critically ill patients. Neurosurgery, thoracic-forgut, gastric bypass, orthopedic. Liver/kidney/pancreas transplants, hepatobiliary. Open heart, heart and lung transplants. * Demonstrates the ability to manage advanced therapeutic modalities. Hemodynamic monitoring. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT, CVVHD). Ventriculostomy, intracranial pressure monitoring. Ventricular assist devices, balloon pumps.
• MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF PATIENTS IN THE STEPDOWN/TELEMETRY UNITS * Demonstrates the ability to manage high acuity patients requiring specialized monitoring and care. Status post open heart, heart transplant, lung transplant. Status post liver/kidney transplants, orthopedics, hepatobiliary, general surgeries. Status post thoracic-forgut, gastric bypass, neurology, neurosurgery. * Demonstrates the ability to manage advanced therapeutic modalities. Ventilator care. Arterial/CVP lines. Ventricular assist devices. Lumbar drains.
• QUALITY MEASURES * Accurately identifies patient that fit Core Measure criteria * Completes Core Measure Documentation Identifies and participates in data collection and process improvements related to Nurse Sensitive Quality Indicators
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT * Participates in professional hospital/nursing activities Relief Charge Nurse Nursing committees/councils Hospital Teams Unit Based Projects Research Published peer review article.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree Nursing Degree in Nursing (BSN)

• 0-1 year Must have less than 1 year of acute care experience as a Registered Nurse.

• Current knowledge of treatment practices.
• Knowledge of medical procedures and conditions and ability to understand, follow and successfully perform duties, including whole blood collection, and apheresis procedures, in accordance with administrative and clinical policies, regulations and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialty Certification

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Registered Nurse - RN (CA Board of Registered Nursing)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association *Required for Departments: Intensive Care, Step-down, Telemetry. RNs without prior telemetry or critical care experience will be required to obtain ACLS within 180 days or by the end of orientation, whichever is sooner.