Job Description

Job Title - RN - Med/Surg, FT, Weeknights

Reports to: Med/Surg Director

Job Summary:

Provides direct and indirect patient care. Communicates with physicians/Nurse Manager/co-workers, as appropriate about changes in patient’s clinical condition including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. Additionally, is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision.

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:

• Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes pediatric, geriatric and the general patient population.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Ability to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory’s and the resident care unit’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret results of waived tests; take appropriate action on waived tests results.
• Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age.
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
• Follows the seven (7) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning, family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Demonstrates an ability to assist physicians with procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills.
• Demonstrates ability to perform treatments and provide services to level licensure.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care to the patient population served. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Consults other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to Nurse Manager, co-workers and physicians.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with Social Service/Discharge Planner regarding both in hospital and post discharge needs.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Coordinates and supervises patient care as necessary.
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.

Requirements

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all federal, state, local regulations and accrediting organization standards.
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Completes inservices and returns in a timely fashion.
• Attends annual review and department inservices, as scheduled.
• Attends 12 staff meetings annually, or reads and returns monthly staff meeting minutes.
• Represents 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 the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.

Regulatory Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current state Registered Nurse Licensure, within state of practice.
• Current BLS certification.

Language Skills:

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.

Skills:

• Basic computer knowledge.

Physical Demands:

• Mobility, sight, hearing, verbal communication, changes in temperature, exposure to disagreeable elements, exposure to biological, mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards. Frequent standing and walking. Lift up to 100 pounds. Carrying up to 40 pounds. Pushing/pulling up to 450 pounds.
• This position is a safety sensitive position pursuant to Amendment 98 to the Arkansas Constitution § 2(25). A safety sensitive position means any position in which a person performing the position while under the influence of marijuana may constitute a threat to health or safety. This position is therefore “safety sensitive” due to the fact it requires the following: performing life-threatening procedures; working with hazardous or flammable materials, controlled substances, food, or medicine; and a lapse of attention while working in this position could result in injury, illness, or death.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.