Under the general supervision of the Director of Acute Care Services, is responsible for safe, effective and quality patient and family centered care in the Acute Care Medical Surgical setting.
Nursing Clinical Competency:
Promotes a safe patient care and work environment free of potential safety hazards
Ensures safe transportation of patients within the facility utilizing safe lifting and transport adjunct equipment and good body mechanics to protect patient, self, co-workers
Demonstrates safe, competent use of patient care equipment, beds, stretchers, lifts, safety and alarm devices, walkers, monitors, wound vacs, drains, oxygen therapy and other equipment approved for patient care
Demonstrates flexibility in practice and collaborates to cross train in other departments to additional duties as needed to promote flexibility, sustainability and teamwork within the Critical Access Hospital setting
Plans, evaluates, directs and renders care and re-evaluate clinical outcomes according to established standards of care
Incorporates evidence based best practice into everyday clinical activities
Performs medication reconciliation and administers medications safely and appropriately using the 5 rights of medication administration. Leverages technological resources for safe medication administration such as bar code scanning and tele-pharmacist service
Recognizes and performs nursing interventions to maintain the body's homeostasis; acid-base balance, fluids and electrolyte balance, wound and tissue perfusion)
In accordance with standing medical protocols and standing orders; enters orders, interprets and evaluates diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition, communicates same to the treating provider
Modify patient's treatment plans as indicated by patient's condition
Maintains accurate, detailed clinical nursing documentation, reports and records
Within the scope of nursing practice, delegates and provides oversight of nursing care activities of ancillary nursing/healthcare team members such as LNAs.
Promotes a safe patient care environment safe from hazards
Consistently utilizes clear, concise, professional communication in all interactions (SBAR). This will include interactions with patients and their families, between disciplines, inter-departmentally and with outside agencies
Patient Advocacy:
Develops and/or implements an individualized plan of care, including developmental and cultural needs
Utilizes appropriate resources for non-English speaking patients, healthcare illiterate patients, hearing and sight impaired patients and caregivers
Clear communication of patient plan of care and education at a level the patient, family, and caregiver can comprehend
Takes proactive steps to recognize and report suspected abuse/neglect, including, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual abuse, and spousal abuse. Reporting identified cases to supervisor and appropriate authorities
Quality & Professionalism:
Ensures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards. Making recommendations for adjustments in patient care as necessary
Adheres to Infection Prevention standards, consistent in hand hygiene practice before and after each patient interaction. Adheres to infection prevention precautions. Holds team members to IP and hand hygiene standards and room/patient IP precaution measures to prevent infection or the spread of infection
Participates in quality review, performance improvement, survey readiness and patient satisfaction initiatives within the department such as hourly rounding, collateral duties, chart audits and nursing policy review/revisions as assigned
Demonstrates ability to work independently and within a team environment
Adheres to standards and applicable codes of conduct that govern behavior among peer and colleagues to create and environment promoting cooperation, respect and trust.
Adheres to the standards of profession as outlined by the American Nurses Association
Maintains professionalism by conforming to the Huggins Hospital dress code
Continues professional growth by maintaining education hours for license renewals and participating in hospital committees, clinical council, and professional organizations
Organizational Expectations:
• Attendance: Attendance is an essential job function; employee comes to work daily, on time, and completes scheduled shift
• HIPAA: facilitates to maintain patient confidentiality
• Internal communication: contributes to positive team performance and a culture of service excellence through effective communication, active listening, and respect
• Interpersonal relationships: maintains appropriate interpersonal relationships with staff, patients, and visitors at all times. Works as a team member with other departments.
• Safety: Practices workplace safety daily
Employee Engagement:
• Actively participates in all hospital Service Excellence initiatives and trainings
• Attends and participates in a minimum of 50% department staff meetings and signs off on review of 100% department staff meeting minutes
• Completes all required annual education on or before the due date
Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Individuals must possess these knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the primary functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities and possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without a reasonable accommodation, to safely perform the essential functions of the job.
• Minimal physical effort required with occasional light lifting to a maximum of 25 pounds; stooping; and pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work primarily with fingers
• Ability to effectively manage considerable mental stress
• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and convey information in a clear, concise and accurate manner
• Familiarity with computer and other business machines
Qualifications:
Experience: One (1) year of Medical Surgical nursing is preferred. Proficient with electronic medical records, computer literate
License and Certification: Current NH RN license, BLS Certification
