Registered Nurse

JOB SUMMARY Works under the supervision of the unit Supervisor/Manager/Director. A registered professional nurse is responsible for the delivery of patient care through the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. She/he is responsible for direction and guidance of patient teaching and activities of ancillary personnel while maintaining standards of professional nursing and the policies and operating instructions of Memorial Healthcare. Strives for superior performance by consistently providing a product of service to leadership and staff that is recognized as ultimately contributing to the patient and family experience. As a customer-focused Memorial Healthcare team member, he/she must be accessible, flexible, knowledgeable, and responsive.PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Assesses the physical, psychological, and social dimensions and the educational needs of the patient on admission and completes a written assessment within the time frame designated by the type of patient. 2. Identifies patient needs and formulates a written care plan based on the assessment of the patient. Care plan is initiated within 24 hours of admission.

Plan of care is implemented and documentation of effectiveness is reflected in the medical record. Revises/updates the plan as necessary or at least every 24 hours. Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families. 4. Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals; teaching patient, friends, and family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills; and answering questions.

Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following hospital and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse practice act, and other governing agency regulations.

Resolves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.

Protects patients and other employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.

Maintains continuity of care among nursing teams and physicians by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing patient needs.

Maintains a cooperative relationship among healthcare teams by communicating information; responding to requests; building rapport; and participating in team problem-solving methods.

Utilizes leadership skills through delegation to, communicate with, and evaluate team members.

Recognizes changes in status of the patient and provides appropriate intervention and documentation. 12. Prioritizes care based on individual patient needs.

Initiates appropriate referrals as identified to meet the discharge needs of patients in collaboration with case management.

Participates in inservice and/or continuing education to maintain and improve understanding of the present and future trends in healthcare, and participates in unit and hospital-wide committees to identify needs and assists in continuous performance improvement. Attends a minimum of eight monthly staff meetings annually.

Communicates identified unit problems following appropriate chain of command (Coordinator, Manager, Director, Vice President), and actively participates in the problem- solving process.

Demonstrates job related aspects of patient safety to assure a safe environment, safe and effective use of equipment and technology, and decreased risk of potential adverse patient occurrences.

Demonstrates knowledge of and supports hospital mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, customer service standards, and standards of behavior.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served on his/her assigned unit. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess 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 his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's and division's policies and procedures. 19. Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

A. Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.

B. RN license from Michigan.

C. BSN preferred.

EXPERIENCE

A. Related experience preferred, not required.

B. Current certification in BLS for Healthcare Providers required.

C. Departmental specific requirements as outlined in Attachment A.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Travel independently from one location to another within the hospital.

B. Access a patient in bed and his/her equipment for the purpose of assessment/treatment, including stooping to empty drainage bags, bending for baths, stretching for blood pressures, and raising arms over head for IV's.

C. Safely move patients as ordered.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES

A. Complete a history and head-to-toe initial assessment of patient’s condition for multiple systems.

B. Formulate a care plan based upon the assessment and to evaluate patients' reactions to the care plan. C. Understand doctor’s orders.

D. Document assessment, interventions, and evaluation.

E. Calculate medication dosages and IV rates.

F. Function well under pressure.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL/MOTOR SKILLS

A. Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for administration of medications, starting IV's, insertion and maintenance of various tubes (NG, catheter, etc.), dressing changes, assessment techniques, etc.

B. Use a computer.

ESSENTIAL SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

A. Communicate receptively and expressively in English, both written and verbal, with diverse populations, including physicians, patients, families, community agencies, employees, and volunteers.

B. Visually assess patient's condition and to auscultate lung, heart, bowel sounds, etc. and palpate as needed for assessment or treatment.

C. Accurately hear communication by phone or in person.

D. Maintain self control.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

A. Interact effectively with patients and their families, public, physicians, and other Memorial Healthcare staff to provide appropriate and complete patient care.

B. Maintain a professional and courteous manner.

C. Maintain confidentiality.