Overview of FMC Med-Surg Department
FMC Med-Surg department is a 24 bed unit specializing in acute care and post-surgical patients using an interdisciplinary approach. Our dedicated team of nursing and ancillary staff strive to provide excellent and safe patient care. Along with our acute care and post-op patients, FMC Med-Surg is home to our Swing Bed program in which we are licensed to take up to 10 swing bed patients. In this program, multiple teams including nursing, PT/OT/ST, dietary and care management work closely together taking a holistic approach to promote patient independence and to help them achieve their greatest potential. Being a rural facility, nurses learn to critically think and become versatile in their roles. The nurse/patient ratio for this unit is 1:6
Responsibilities of the Registered Nurse
Plans, coordinates and directs quality, compassionate care by maintaining standards of professional nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients/families. The Registered Nurse provides leadership to other team members by articulating and delegating expected standards of care, supervising and encouraging team members, and supporting their contributions. The RN supervises PCAs and US.
Assesses condition on each assigned patient on admission and on an ongoing basis to include but not limited to the patient's physical condition, psychological status, social status, spiritual and cultural needs, pain assessment/management, nutritional and functional status, developmental or age related factors, and discharge planning needs.
Plans, provides, and documents patient and/or significant other education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.
Evaluates and regularly reevaluates patient care; coordinates care planning with patient, family, providers and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
Assigns and delegates nursing care to team members in accordance with the patient's needs and the capabilities of the team members.
Applies safety principles when performing care
Accurately documents observations, care provided, and changes in care plan.
Provides accurate handoff reports and participates in unit based huddles
Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.
Performs initial and annual competency per job class.
DCH Standards and Requirements
DCH Standards: Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees
Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Current approved Alabama Board of Nursing RN license or multi-state license required or ability to obtain prior to start.
Current American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required.
BSN preferred, minimum Associates required.
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
Required within 6 months of start date:
International RNs
Current approved Alabama Board of Nursing RN license or multi-state license required or ability to obtain prior to start.
Current American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required or obtain within 30 days of start date.
BSN preferred, minimum Associates required
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
Work Context
Demonstrate leadership skills
Requires decision making that will affect others
Responsible to achieve outcomes
Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately
Ability to delegate to team members and students
Must be able to receive delegation
Address conflict and stressful situation
Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion
Dealing with unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive personalities
Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting
Must be able to work in groups
Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work
Must be able to meet time pressure and time lines
Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions
Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.
Physical Factors
Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking
Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction
Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit and stoop
Must be able to run in an emergency
Must have the ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull and carry objects
Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner and must be able to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips
Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation
Must possess stamina to work prolonged shifts
Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
Physical presence onsite is essential.