RN, Healthcare Nursing, Emergency Medicine

Registered Nurse

Overview of role:
Assumes responsibility for providing patient care in accordance with established standards of professional nursing care and in compliance with all Hunterdon Center for Surgery (HCS) policies and procedures. Uses critical care skills as a first line direct patient care treatment team member. Assumes the role of clinical treatment team leader when assigned and ensures compliance with all HCS policies and procedures.

Uses an understanding of principles of growth and development to assess each surgical patient’s age-specific treatment and care. Provides an environment of constant vigilance where basic life sustaining needs are of highest priority.

Education, training and experience:
Certification/Licensure. Graduate of an accredited NLN program. BSN preferred. Current NJ Registered Nurse license. Minimum of 3 years PACU and/or critical experience preferred. Telemetry certification. BLS and ACLS certification required. Leadership, critical care assessment skills and high motivation desired. Certification in specialty preferred.

Special equipment, skills or other requirements:
Good communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills required. Shows initiative and possesses good problem solving skills. A working knowledge of mechanical ventilators, airway management and a strong knowledge of the pharmacological effects of anesthetic agents needed.

Work environment and hazards:
Risk of exposure to undiagnosed communicable diseases and contaminated fluids (OSHA exposure classification I) Direct patient contact and may be involved in physical crisis with uncontrollable patients experiencing emergence delirium. Exposed to electrical and mechanical hazards, anesthetic and other gases, sharps and potentially stressful/unpleasant situations.

Work contact group: HCS personnel, physicians, patients, families of patients and visitors.

Physical/mental requirements:
Ability to lift, move and position patients. Stands and walks for extended periods of time. Fine and gross manual dexterity. Near and far visual acuity. Must be able to stoop, bend, push and pull. Able to transport patients (up to 300lbs) via wheelchair, stretcher or chair. Ambulate patients without assistance. Able to hear equipment alarms, call lights, telephone and through a stethoscope.

Read, write, speak and understand English. Ability to act quickly and effectively in an emergency. Able to maintain a pleasant, courteous and professional demeanor in all circumstances.

Reporting relationship:
Reports to Nursing Director. Supervised by OR and PACU Charge Nurse.