POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: Registered Nurse, Associate Nurse JOB CODE: 385
386, 387
THIS POSITION
REPORTS TO: Nurse Manager
SERVICE
AREA: Nursing
POSITION
PURPOSE: The RN is responsible for
assessing, planning, implementing and
evaluating the performance of patient care, delivers
care according to protocols and
procedures in Department Specific and Generic
Structure Standards Manuals, and delegates
care in an appropriate and effective manner.
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PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES AND
ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE JOB:
* Assesses patient needs on admission and
throughout hospital stay and documents
accordingly.
-
Systematically assesses patient needs with regard to patient's
developmental
stage from a
holistic perspective as evidenced by reviewing and/or completing
admission
data base and care plan according to the standards of care. Writes
objective
and measurable outcomes.
-
Gathers assessment data that reflects the patient's status and
developmental
level at various
stages.
-
Interprets the information to identify each patient's requirements
relating to
specific age
levels.
-
Demonstrates and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the
patient's
status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify
each
patient's requirements relative to age-specific needs and to provide the
care needed
as described in the unit's/area's/department's policies and
procedures.
-
Initiates discharge plan on admission and care plan.
-
Identifies home health care needs or options for alternative placement
and
support
resources, and communicates these with the primary nurse.
-
Works closely with the Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) to assure adequate
patient
education,
discharge planning and support services.
-
Assesses patient per department standard or more frequently as status
changes.
Recognizes changes
in patient condition.
-
Recognizes priorities in patient care.
-
Demonstrates an ability to assess and interpret reports as they relate
to a
patient's
disease process (i.e., UA, ABGs, CBC, CXR).
-
Has theoretical knowledge and is learning to recognize recurring
meaningful
situations.
-
Recognizes ethical dilemmas in nursing practice; confers with
appropriate
resource
personnel when making ethical nursing decisions.
* Plans patient care based on nursing
assessment, diagnosis, medical treatments and
patient's and/or
significant other's level of understanding.
-
Develops individual plan of care based on patient's needs assessment and
Department Specific Structure Standards,
including teaching, physiological,
psychological
and discharge needs.
-
Includes patient and significant other in developing the plan of care.
-
Utilizes teaching protocols and educational materials.
-
Collaborates with other disciplines and arranges services as needed.
-
Documents according to department standard.
* Implements the plan of care to attain the
patient's optimal level of wellness in a
cost effective
manner and documents accordingly.
-
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care of
service
appropriate
to the age of the patient served on assigned unit.
-
Demonstrates clinical skills in the direct care of patients and
significant
others; completes annual competency testing and
skills validation.
-
Responds to priorities in patient care.
-
Demonstrates the ability to organize and complete assignments in the
allotted
time frame.
-
Delegates to the members of the department care team and holds them
accountable
for delivery
of quality patient care.
-
Explains procedures and treatments to enhance patient understanding,
allay
apprehension
and promote compliance.
-
Identifies patient's and significant other's emotional needs.
-
Participates in patient care conferences, formal and informal, involving
nursing
staff and
other health team members.
-
Makes effective decisions during emergency situations.
-
Utilizes research - based standards in practice.
* Evaluates the care delivered and intervenes
appropriately to ensure optimal patient
outcome.
-
Monitors and evaluates the care provided by team members.
-
Evaluates patient's response to treatments and interventions and
modifies plan
of care as
needed.
-
Seeks feedback and monitors the patient's and significant other's
learning
process; modifies the teaching plan and techniques
accordingly. Provides
feedback to
primary nurse in regard to patient/significant other learning.
* Communicates patient information to ensure
continuity of patient care and documents
accordingly.
-
Provide room orientation on admission in regard to correct storage of
patient
valuables,
eyeglasses, dentures; visiting hours; bed controls; nurse/patient
call light system; and smoking policy.
-
Delegates room orientation as applicable.
-
Maintains current information on patient care area, e.g., fall
precautions,
isolation
category.
-
Communicates assessment data and findings to physicians, colleagues and
patient
care team.
-
Notifies physicians of pertinent observations, incidents, and abnormal
laboratory
and x-ray results.
-
Gives and receives shift report to communicate information regarding
status of
patients
assigned.
* Exhibits customer-focused behaviors which
are consistent with the mission, vision,
values statements
and the Patient's Bill of Rights.
-
Responds promptly to patient call lights.
-
Accepts assignments in a positive manner.
-
Works within department self-staffing guidelines.
-
Supports a harmonious working relationship within the department and
with other
disciplines
and departments.
- Demonstrates proper telephone
etiquette.
-
Uses tact, sensitivity and sound judgment when relating with patients
and
significant
others.
-
Recognizes customer dissatisfaction, manages concerns quickly or
contacts the
appropriate
individual for follow up.
-
Seeks methods to continually improve the quality of services.
-
Responsible for updating self on information related to patient care,
departments
and/or system functions and processes.
-
Practices peer review of staff to ensure care
is delivered with a customer focus
and within
standards; addresses issues with staff at time of occurrence.
-
Formulates personal short-term goals and objectives and participates on
CQI
teams.
-
Demonstrates knowledge of department quality management programs by
compliance
within QM
outcomes; assists with QM as assigned.
-
Complies with Administrative Structure Standards Element XVI, G.1.b.,
regarding
attendance,
absenteeism, quality and quantity of work.
SAFETY:
* Identifies and resolves safety issues;
actively identifies and takes appropriate
precautions
following safety standards in the workplace for self and customers.
* Can identify the appropriate situation
requiring PPE.
* Adheres to the employee safety plan and
supports the effort to provide a safe
environment for
patients and staff.
* Follows the infection control plan
specifically in the areas of: disposal
of
infectious waste;
reporting of infections; needle sticks; blood/mucous membrane
exposure; disinfection techniques.
* Life Safety, Equipment Management, Disaster
Preparedness, Security, Hazardous
Materials and Utilities.
* Applies appropriate safety measures and
procedures to ensure safety of self and
customers
-
Assists in maintaining a clean environment in all areas of the
department.
-
Knowledgeable of equipment and is able to operate in a safe manner.
-
Reports needed repairs.
-
Maintains patient safety by leaving beds in low position and top rails
up at all
times,
bottom rails up as needed.
-
Uses proper transfer techniques and/or obtains appropriate
assistance. Utilizes
proper body
mechanics.
- Applies safety devices and measures.
-
Adheres to Universal Precautions and Isolation Procedures. Complies with
regulatory
agency guidelines.
-
Utilizes sterile technique when appropriate.
-
Can verbalize the process of emergency procedures as defined in HELP
Manual and
Department Specific
Structure Standards Manual.
-
Aware of personal abilities and limitations; requests assistance in
situations
that exceed
abilities.
-
Demonstrates knowledge of emergency carts.
CUSTOMER
SERVICE:
* Exhibits customer-focused behaviors which
are consistent with the mission, vision,
value statements
and the Patient's Bill of Rights.
* Demonstrates belief that there is nothing
of greater value than our customers by
consistently
ensuring high value of services with good outcomes and high customer
satisfaction. Ensures mature, ethical, and professional
behavior by respecting
rights and
opinions of others.
* Responds promptly to customer concerns and
complaints; demonstrates proper telephone
etiquette; uses
tact, sensitivity and sound judgment when relating with patients,
care givers,
significant others, staff and other customers.
* Recognizes customer dissatisfaction,
manages concerns quickly or contacts the
appropriate
individual for follow-up.
* Accepts assignments in a positive manner;
anticipates change with enthusiasm and well
thought-out
opportunities for change; is a role model and mentor in the change
process.