Med Surg RN (Nights)

The Registered Nurse (RN) administers nursing care to patients and/or plans, directs and coordinates the nursing care of a group of patients utilizing the nursing process and in collaboration with the healthcare team. The RN instructs patients and/or families in procedures, healthcare practices and continuing care after discharge. The RN performs duties and responsibilities in a manner adhering to all hospital and departmental policies and procedures and in compliance with professional practice standards and the Indiana State Nurse Practice Act.

JOB SPECIFIC CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Assessment and reassessment of patients along with proper communication of findings and recommendations to other allied healthcare members.
• Provide individualized and continual care planning tailored to the needs of each patient.
• Use chain of command and delegation of care responsibilities appropriately.
• Provide holistic and patient-centered care while providing for established patient rights of the organization and adherence to hospital LOVE promise.

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JOB SPECIFIC CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Assessment and reassessment of patients along with proper communication of findings and recommendations to other allied healthcare members.
• Provide individualize and continual care planning tailored to the needs of each patient.
• Use chain of command and delegation of care responsibilities appropriately.
• Provide holistic and patient-centered care while providing for established patient rights of the organization and adherence to the hospital LOVE promise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Shifts on this unit are 12 hours for this job description.
• Associate must be able to work 12 hour shifts to qualify for the position.
• Demonstrates knowledge and technical skill necessary for providing competent, comprehensive and age-specific patient care.
• Demonstrates leadership abilities including ability to give and follow instructions accurately and the ability to delegate and supervise non-licensed personnel.
• Serves as a professional role model for others.
• Demonstrates computer and keyboarding skills necessary to provide a complete and accurate electronic medical record.
• Conducts an individualized patient assessment, prioritizing the data collection based on the patient's immediate condition or needs within timeframe specified by hospital policies, procedures or protocols.
• Conducts ongoing assessments as determined by the patient's condition and/or the hospitals policies, procedures or protocols and reprioritizes care accordingly.
• Develops plan of care that is individualized for the patient reflecting collaboration with other members of the healthcare team.
• Performs appropriate treatments as ordered by physician/practitioner in an accurate and timely manner.
• therapeutic nursing interventions as established by individualized plan of care for the patient and his/her family.
• Provides individualized patient/family education customized to the patient and his/her family.
• Documents patient assessment findings, physical/psychosocial responses to nursing intervention and progress towards problem resolution. Initiates emergency resuscitative measures per adult resuscitation protocols.
• Reports patient condition to appropriate personnel during each shift.
• Bases care/decisions on Nursing Process of Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation. Demonstrates thorough, accurate and timely assessment.
• Exhibits necessary response/intervention to changes in patient condition.
• Provides and documents care consistent with hospital, departmental and unit policies/procedures/protocols.
• Demonstrates competence in clinical/technical skills performed.
• Prepares patient/families for discharge by providing information/education on admission, throughout the hospital stay, and reviewing at discharge.

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS:

• Associate is capable of delivering care/service appropriate to patients/customers.
• Demonstrates competence in technical skills performed.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and the ability to prioritize care needs.
• Complies with direction of Charge RN for patient activity/care.
• Displays/exhibits self-directed growth by seeking educational opportunities to improve knowledge/skill.
• Participates on appropriate house-wide committees as approved by the Unit Coordinator/Director.
• Contributes to implementing and supporting progressive change.
• Makes suggestions to solve patient care or unit problems. Identifies areas of quality improvement and offers suggestions/recommendations.
• Assists with orientation of new staff.
• Attends unit/departmental meetings/in-services at least 75 percent of the time or as assigned.
• Demonstrates acceptable attendance and punctuality per policy.
• Participates in quality improvement activities.
• Completes assigned responsibilities in an efficient, timely manner.
• Uses time not consumed by patient care to maintain the unit (cleaning, stocking, uncluttering, etc.).
• Utilizes unit supplies in a cost-conscious manner.
• Exhibits effective organizational skills that assist in decreasing and/or eliminating over use of man-hours.
• Recognizes impact of actions on co-workers and other departments and interacts in a manner conducive to teamwork and cost containment.
• Treats staff from other departments, co-workers, patients, and families with respect.
• Utilizes AIDET-P.
• Verbally communicates directions, answers to questions, etc. in a timely manner to patients, families, visitors, physicians, staff members and other departments.
• Applies good guest relation techniques to telephone conversations.
• Communicates pertinent patient information clearly, accurately, concisely and in a timely manner to designated persons.
• Collaborates with other members of the health team regarding patient care needs and responsibilities.
• Directs concerns to appropriate persons within timeframes suitable to the situation. Utilizes appropriate chain of command.
• Practice is consistent with safety principles, OSHA guidelines, and infection control guidelines.
• Observes equipment for malfunction and takes appropriate action.
• Delivers patient care in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner that respects individuals right to privacy, dignity, respect, and confidentiality at all times.
• Confronts individuals/situations assertively and non-aggressively when necessary to ensure the rights of patients, self and others are respected.
• Demonstrates effective conflict resolution skills thought the use of problem-solving skills, discretion and respect.
• Readily offers assistance to families, visitors, patients/residents and colleagues.
• Functions in a professional manner under stressful or emergency conditions.
• Utilizes effective verbal, non-verbal and written forms of communication.
• Conducts self in a manner consistent with the intent of the hospitals mission, vision, values, and patient's first behavioral commitment.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSURE: Registered Nurse (RN)

ADDITONAL LICENSURE/CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing is preferred.
• Current Registered Nurse license with the state of Indiana.
• Basic Life Support certification.
• Other certifications as required by assigned area of work (i.e., ACLS, PALS).

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Mandatory Continuing Education: Annual dept. specific and hospital wide mandatories (Customer Service, Fire and Safety, Corporate Compliance, Infection Control, etc.), and education required by regulatory, accreditation bodies, scope of practice, and/or Hancock Regional Hospital.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Lift up to 50 lbs. independently and for weights greater than 50 lbs. must use mechanical device or team lifting.
• Push/Pull patients of up to 250 lbs. in a wheeled device and for weights greater than 250 lbs. must use team assistance.
• Transfer and ambulate patients independently or with assistance/lifting devices as needed.
• Standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, reaching, squatting, as needed.
• Sitting to perform computer-based tasks, answering phone calls and call lights, and other duties.
• Standing to perform scanning, copying, stocking, and general office tasks
• Manual dexterity for performing intricate procedures (typing, assembling equipment, assisting patients, etc.).
• Hearing requirements include but are not limited to hearing and responding to codes, monitors, pagers, phones, equipment alarms and patients calling for assistance.
• Vision requirements include but are not limited to close vision, distant vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. This may include ability to read thermometers, electronic equipment, etc.

EQUIPMENT USED: computer, copier, phones, fax, nurse call system, central station monitoring, direct patient care equipment including but not limited to: bedside telemetry monitors, VS monitors, portable telemetry boxes, beds, lifts, wheel chairs, walkers, scales, bedside commodes, SCD units, oximeters, accucheck, etc.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Able to process data and make decisions based on that data, prioritize decisions based on work assignment and patient care needs, and communicate and comprehend the English language.