RN Med Tele Specialty Unit

Overview

Job Summary And Responsibilities The Nurse in the Medical Telemetry unit is located on the 7th floor of St. Michael Medical Center. This unit has 32 private rooms and is a telemetry capable medical surgical unit. Our unit consists of medical patients requiring non-acute cardiac telemetry monitoring and general surgical overflow. The patient to nurse ratio is set to match staff requirements to meet the care needs of patients.

The Charge RN creates shift assignments based on patient census, patient complexity, nurse experience level, and staff skill mix. All nurses are licensed in the State of Washington and some are certified in their area of practice. All nursing staff maintain competency through continuing education, department in-services, and annual updates of unit specific competencies.

• Adheres to the department’s and hospital’s policies and procedures, including safety, risk management and regulatory standards. Keeps abreast of trends, developments and regulatory requirements impacting matters within designated scope of responsibility.
• Administers, oversees and documents the administration of medications (e.g., topically, orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously and intravenously) as ordered by the healthcare practitioner and in accordance with hospital policy.
• Assesses patient to include physical, psychosocial, cultural, behavioral / emotional, developmental and spiritual needs.
• Gathers data relevant for patient care. Implements appropriate patient interventions and evaluates outcomes. Plans care appropriately based on needs identified during initial and on-going assessments. Provides holistic, comprehensive, and professional nursing care to patient within the scope of practice. Implements appropriate patient interventions and evaluates outcomes. Prepares patient for discharge and assists with coordinating post discharge needs.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Competence:
  Demonstrates proper use of available communication tools / materials for effective communication and understands how the culture(s) of patient population can affect communication, collaboration and the provision of care, treatment and services. Patient Populations Served:
  Demonstrates knowledge and proper skills associated with the department’s defined specific populations served.
• Demonstrates competent professional practice and engages in opportunities for professional growth. Demonstrates self accountability to meet stated deadlines for all mandatory requirements.
• Documents care delivered and patient status utilizing the nursing process in accordance with VMFH standards of care, for example, changes in patient condition, patient responses to intervention and reassessments of pertinent findings. Receives and assures appropriateness, accuracy, timeliness and execution of physician orders.
• Identifies opportunities for, and participates in, performance / quality improvement activities to improve clinical outcomes, healthcare delivery systems and address patient safety / satisfaction and cost containment.
• Incorporates critical thinking into daily practice as demonstrated by quality of care provided, transfer of knowledge, follow through and patient outcomes. Leads, coordinates, and communicates the ongoing delivery of patient care services provided by members of assigned patient care team(s); considers patient acuity and the competencies of care team members in delegating and assigning work and in adjusting assignments as necessary;
  
  assesses and monitors team performance to ensure the quality of care provided is consistent with the VMFH standards and regulatory requirements. Coordinates nursing care and advocates for patient needs so that all appropriate disciplines are informed of and participating in the plan of care.
• Prepares patient for examination / procedures. Routinely explains delays. Assesses, monitors, and intervenes as indicated during and post examination or procedure.
• Provides health care education and guidance to patient and/or families. Educates regarding results, findings and diagnoses to patient and/or patient’s family within scope of practice.
• The job summary and responsibilities listed above are…