Job Description

PRN

Provides professional nursing care within the Emergency Department; coordinates care planning with other disciplines. Provides care that meets the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs of patients, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system. Communicates with ED physicians regarding changes in patient’s status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies. Responds quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.

OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes neonate, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population.
• Uses triage process to ensure timely and appropriate care to patients. Accurately assigns triage categories.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Ability to monitor hemodynamic status of patient and correctly interpret the results.
• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring; identifies dysrhythmias and treats appropriately.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing, glucometers and fecal occult blood) per Clinical Laboratory’s and the patient care unit’s policies and procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the lifespan and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patients served.
• Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Ensures an adequate stock of supplies and proper functioning of equipment.
• Assists in cost containment through the appropriate ordering and conserving of supplies and equipment.
• Cooperates with other personnel to achieve departmental objectives; and interdepartmental objectives.
• Responds promptly to changes in the workload, adjusting assignments as necessary. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Provides resource information to other staff.
• Demonstrates the ability to assist physicians with procedures.
• Orients new employees to the Emergency Department
• Participates in problem solving with other healthcare team members related to management of clinical care area.
• Participates in performance improvement activities.
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, ancillary staff and unit staff.
• Completes in-services and returns in a timely fashion
• Attends annual review and department in-services, as scheduled
• Attends at least 80% of staff meetings annually, reads and returns missed monthly staff meeting minutes
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner
• Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of NTMC, as well as the focus statement of the department.

BASIC SKILLS

• Basic computer skills

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Current Registered Nurse in the State of Texas
• Current BLS Certification
• ACLS Certification within 90 days
• PALS certification within 90 days
• TNCC certification within first 6 months of hire
• NIHSS certification within one-year hire
• CEN certification preferred
• Preferred two (2) years critical care or emergency nurse experience
• Specialty certification preferred

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Additional languages a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift 50 lbs alone and 150 lbs with assistance
• May be required to assist with patients or equipment up to 500 lbs.
• Ability to push, pull, lift, bend, kneel twist and reach above shoulder level.
• Must be able to sit, stoop, bend and reach above head.