Registered Nurse - Med Surgery 2nd Floor

Job Title

This position provides safe and effective nursing care and treatment to patients in the Telemetry Medical/Surgical Unit.

General Statement of Job:

This position provides safe and effective nursing care and treatment to patients in the Telemetry Medical/Surgical Unit. Employees are part of a managed care team and works collaboratively with ancillary personnel in the provision of proper medical services and treatment. This position provides nursing care and services to patients seeking medical attention and prevents further deterioration of patient's health in accordance with established regulations, policies, nursing standards and medical instructions.

Essential Functions:

• Provides nursing care to meet the needs of the patient population served as qualified; i.e., adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Delivers patient care within defined hospital and critical care standards for assessment, care planning, interventions, and reassessment, and delegates care appropriately to other team members and support staff.
• Evaluates patient's care status frequently. Reports variances in care and/or medication administration for quality improvement.
• Performs duties with a clear understanding of the JCAHO Safety Goals and delivers care with patient safety as a goal. Follows hospital policies guiding compliance with National Patient Safety Goals.
• Performs duties in accordance with pathogen transmission practices; i.e., follows hand washing procedures and utilizes protective equipment effectively.
• Performs nursing care within the guidelines of the Relationship and Results Oriented Healthcare Model utilizing the recommended bundles of best practice.
• Assess and charts patient's vital signs and notifies physician of abnormal ranges as well as any significant changes.
• Delegates and supervises care appropriately to LPNs, CNAs and Monitor Techs with follow up and feedback procedures to ensure quality of care. Initiates appropriate actions as needed.
• Develops plan of care and patient focused goals with the patient and family as appropriate, ensuring patient understanding and involvement in their care.
• Delivers patient care in accordance with established infection control standards for patient placement, IV therapy, medication administration and the performance of all patient procedures; demonstrating adherence to hand washing policy.
• Follows policies for administration of high risk drugs, patient identification, documentation and taking telephone orders with read back and communication of critical values/diagnostic results.
• Communicates effectively with other patient care providers and team members for efficiencies and safety of care through appropriate ordering procedures, preparing patients for surgery and other procedures, communicating fall potential and other risk identifiers.
• Evaluates clinical/diagnostic reports and reports variances to the physician and documents same.
• Follows guidelines for performance improvement and demonstrates understanding of participation in the Core Measures for Lakeside Medical Center, and for documentation review and restraint review process.
• Utilizes patient care equipment and patient restraints appropriately and safely, following hospital policy and procedure. Reports any identified equipment breakdown or malfunction by hospital policy. Maintains cleanliness of equipment after use.
• Works cooperatively with ancillary departments in ensuring the patient's care is safe, following protocols as applicable.
• Documents and maintains all patient care records and related required documentation. Maintains records and communications with respect to patient's privacy.
• Participates in department's QI activities on a daily basis.
• Participates in the orientation and mentoring of new staff members recognizing importance of bringing new staff into a friendly and supportive work environment.
• Utilizes and ensures staff uses supplies efficiently, following infection control procedures, avoiding waste and follows patient charging procedures.
• Follows ACLS protocol for patients as indicated
• Orders initial lab tests and x-rays by established protocols or per physician orders. Ensures patients are appropriately prepared for tests.
• Serves as an example for team members in cost saving practices.
• Assists manager and other staff members to maintain competence and skills for procedures assigned and assists in validation of skills and competence of new staff members prior to delegation of patient care.
• Participates in the hospital Utilization Management Program by assisting with discharge planning, reporting to case managers, and keeping patient, family, physician, and other personnel informed.
• Participates with team members and manager to identify opportunities for improvement in patient care processes.
• Maintains accurate and current record of patient's care and response to care following the guidelines for appropriate electronic documentation.
• Documents the administration of medicines including dosage, medicine route,…