Job Description

The ER Registered Nurse is responsible for identifying patient needs and priorities for care through assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. RN’s coordinate care between other professional disciplines as needed, and represents a positive role model for associates, patients and families.

Purpose of Position: To provide quality nursing care, with a positive professional attitude, to patients according to established policies and procedures.

Mission of the Department: The ER department at Scott County Hospital is dedicated to providing care that promotes the physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well-being of the patients, families and the community by supporting the mission, vision, and core values of the organization.

Essential Functions:

• Acts as the primary Emergency Department nurse providing direct patient care.
• Initiates assessments based on the patient’s problems or needs.
• Collects key information from the patient, family, laboratory, and other medical reports.
• Completes ongoing assessments according to policy and as determined by patient conditions or change of condition involving family or other significant individuals as needed.
• Is a role model for staff in compliance with all established departmental policies and procedures, quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Maintains a positive working relationship and open channel of communication with physicians and other health care team members.
• Accurately and completely documents care and assessments based on the standards of care and practice, ongoing findings, patient response to interventions and progress toward outcomes.
• Ensures all documentation is complete and accurate on each chart before end of shift.
• Interprets standards, hospital policies and procedures to ensure compliance with external regulatory authorities and ensures that clinical associates documentation meets internal standards in accordance with the State Nurse Practice Act.
• Uses equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently.
• Maintains a safe environment by recognizing, eliminating and/or reporting hazards.
• Constantly strives to provide a positive patient experience.
• Actively participates as a member of the Trauma team.
• Assists in the management of Codes.
• Assists in review and revision of ER policy and procedures.
• Participates in Performance Improvement measures, nursing committees and data collection.
• Ensures rooms are adequately stocked and prepared at beginning of each shift and that equipment is functional.
• Assists with checking of outdated supplies each month.
• Communicates with patients regarding their plan of care as appropriate.
• Keeps Physicians, patients and family informed in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Keeps Supervisor informed of all patient concerns/complaints.
• Assists with other duties as assigned.

The preceding functions have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by employees assigned in this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments and to make reasonable accommodations as needed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills and /or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Customer Service Skills: Associate has the ability to establish and maintain effective positive and professional working relationships with patients, families, healthcare team, co-workers and the public. Expresses alternative points of view while respecting others’ opinions in a fast paced environment. Works and communicates effectively and respectfully with persons of various multicultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and educational levels. Deals understandingly and tactfully with patients, families, healthcare team, co-workers and the public.

Teamwork:

• Maintains a positive attitude.
• Works closely with other care providers and departments to foster a team working environment and to provide clinical assistance as needed.
• Delegates work to other staff as needed to meet the needs of the patient.
• Reports accurately and timely to those who require information.
• Initiates problem solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with peers.

Corporate Compliance: Associate must participate in educational programs regarding Code of Conduct, HIPAA Privacy and Security regulations and must comply with principles, standards and policies pertaining to confidentiality, the code of Conduct and HIPAA.

Ethics: Associate must adhere to strong ethical guidance in all decisions and take ethical actions on behalf of others by providing services with respect to human dignity, age and culture specific needs. Associates must demonstrate ethical actions in the working environment and deliver care without bias based on personal attributes, nature of the disease, gender, race, creed, religion, or socioeconomic status.

Safety and Emergency Management: Associate follows all safety and emergency management policies and procedures, maintains familiarity with all relevant policies and procedures, and assists in the education/training of others regarding their roles and required actions.

Education/In-services: Associate keeps abreast of new developments in field/department, participates in continuing education/in-services as required, and serves as technical resource for providers, staff, students or other pertinent individuals. Associate regularly checks company provided email, bulletin boards, and mailbox to stay up to date with changes within the department and hospital.

Personal Characteristics:

• High energy level.
• Superior interpersonal abilities. Ability to get along with diverse personalities, tactful,
• mature, flexible.
• Strong organizational, time management, problem solving, critical thinking, decision making and communication skills.
• Is able to handle multiple demands at one time and work under stress in a constantly changing environment.
• Service oriented, but assertive/persuasive.
• Expert IV skills
• Professional appearance and manner.

Education/Experience: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Knowledge of general nursing theory and practice required. Familiar with the relevant laws and regulations, and mandatory reporting requirements in the ED. Knowledge of principles, methods and techniques in performing general nursing services and adapting or modifying standards of nursing practices for care of specific medical cases.

Licenses and Certifications: Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Kansas or has work permit from the State Board of Nursing. BLS, ACLS and TNCC required. PALS certification must be completed within 6 months of employment. ENPC certification is preferred.

Schedule Availability: Must be able to work weekends and holidays. The ED is a self-contained unit and you are expected to cover shifts for others when asked.

Additional Responsibilities: Perform other duties within scope of practice as directed by Supervisor or Chief Nursing Officer.

General Aptitudes

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires general aptitudes and physical requirements needed to perform the job listed above. Individuals who have the position must be able to perform all essential job functions unaided or with reasonable accommodation.

Mental Abilities: Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to guide and /or give instructions and to make decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures. Ability to focus, concentrate and use critical thinking skills. Ability to comprehend forms in space and understand relationships of plane and solid objects.

Verbal Abilities: Communicate effectively in English.

Numerical Abilities: Ability to perform drug calculations quickly and accurately.

Physical Requirements: Occasional sitting, frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting/carrying 10-50 pounds with occasional lifting/carrying 51-75 pounds; frequent reaching/grasping, twisting, pulling/pushing, occasional exposure to Sharp instruments, exposure to dust and fumes. Frequent exposure to equipment. Continuously writing in English and working irregular hours. See attached Physical, Sensory and Mental Requirements portion of the job description.

Expectation of Service: This is a non-exempt 37.5 - 40 hour per week position with a rotating schedule that includes weekends and holidays. Regular and punctual attendance is required.

Scott County Hospital is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.