Registered Nurse; RN - PRN

Overview

Schedule:

PRN – as needed coverage when clinic is open (M-F). No set hours or consistent days.

The registered nurse (RN, RN II, RN III) performs professional nursing activities in the care of patients to help them achieve or regain, and then maintain, maximum physical, emotional or social functions. Role functions are governed by the Nurse Practice Act, the Administrative Code in the state of employment, professional standards for nursing practice, and Rogers Memorial Hospital policies and procedures.

The RN seeks consultation with other health team members as the patient condition and treatment goals warrant, and, in conjunction with the Patient Accounts department, provides patient information to ensure compliance with federal and state statutes.

• Complete initial assessments and document as required.
• Collect, record, and analyze data for admission within prescribed timeframe, including:
• Patient strengths and limitations addressed in reaching health goals.
• Cultural, spiritual, and ethnic factors that may impact the course of treatment.
• Patient needs to be addressed at discharge; medical/physical status; history of medication compliance, reactions, and current schedule; and age-specific data.
• Involve patient’s support systems (family, friends) in assessment and documentation.
• Observe and document patient interactions with family and friends; obtain assessment data from support systems as appropriate.
• Act as an advocate for patients: explain rights, obtain signatures on consents, protect privacy and confidentiality, assist in orientation, and follow hospital policies on safety and related procedures.
• Initiate and update treatment plan and documentation; participate in planning and modifying the plan of care; evaluate data from multidisciplinary assessments; participate in care conferences and ensure clear, obtainable treatment goals.
• Review the treatment plan as goals are achieved or updated; develop and interpret the plan with patient/family.
• Identify, interpret, and document information from nursing interviews, observations, physical assessments, and diagnostic data; confer with other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
• Review current lab data and follow up with doctor; evaluate falls risk and implement fall precautions as indicated; identify potential for self-harm, suicidality, or assaultive behavior; develop age-appropriate interventions;
• Assess changes in patient status and document interventions accordingly; implement patient care with emphasis on safe and correct medication administration, including documentation and monitoring of effects and interactions; provide patient education about medications.
• Identify potential patient care problems or instability and exercise leadership to intervene to prevent adverse outcomes; use de-escalation techniques when needed.
• Identify health education needs for patient/family to be addressed before discharge; implement age-appropriate teaching and document in the patient record and treatment plan.
• Organize patient care activities according to priorities, unit needs, and time constraints; ensure adherence to EMTALA and regulatory requirements where applicable; maintain standards of nursing practice and patient care; uphold safety and infection control standards; participate in continuing education and in-service programs; report findings from continuing education to unit staff; attend required in-services and participate in the Performance Improvement program.
• Assist in development and implementation of unit standards of care (e.g., safety levels, unit safety, Kardex); participate in standard care plans and identify system or process improvements; serve on unit committees or projects as assigned.
• Carry out leadership functions in patient care, staff operations, and department organization; participate in committees and meetings; take initiative to upgrade unit standards of care; assume charge nurse responsibilities as needed, including coordination of unit activities and crisis leadership; communicate unit status and projected needs; manage the therapeutic milieu and assign patient care while ensuring continuity of care.
• Provide acuity monitoring to the Patient Accounts department for accurate billing; maintain a primary caseload per unit standards and guide patient care accordingly.
• Participate in projects, tasks, and continuing education to improve professional skills and unit systems; set professional growth goals and work with the Clinical Services manager to achieve them; seek additional projects to support unit needs.
• Promote department goals and the hospital mission; communicate goals to staff; uphold department policies; include external agency requirements (e.g., Joint Commission, state) in practice; educate new staff on regulations; support student interns as directed.
• Demonstrate understanding of Joint Commission and other regulatory agency compliance; participate in in-services/seminars and educate other disciplines on Nursing department…