Registered Nurse Medical and Surgical

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible to the Unit Manager for the overall nursing practice of the unit during the shift assigned. In the absence of the Unit Manager, the RN is responsible to the Nursing Supervisor, Charge Nurse or the Nursing House Supervisor of the shift. Provides professional nursing care based on current nursing knowledge through use of the nursing process. This includes the responsibility for assessment of the patient's needs, development of the plan of care to meet those needs, implementation of nursing measures and evaluation of the effectiveness of the nursing care and other treatment measures.

• Education: Completion of an accredited registered nurse program required; BSN preferred.

• Previous RN experience preferred.
• Charge qualified preferred.

• Effectively functions as a team member and as a liaison between patient and staff.
• Supports and encourages harmonious communication skills.
• Job requires strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
• Communicates in highly professional manner at all times.
• Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with ill people; uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families, and co-workers at all times.

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania.
• Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.
• Orthopedic Nurse Certification preferred.
• Med/Surg Nurse Certification preferred.

Receives minimal supervision from the Unit Manager/Nursing Supervisor.

The Registered Nurse will only have supervision of others while serving as Charge Nurse.

• Collects Patient Health Data
  • Prioritizing data collection based on the patient’s immediate condition or needs.
  • Collecting pertinent data using appropriate assessment techniques based on the patient’s and family’s developmental levels, health status and identified learning needs.
  • Involving the patient, significant others, and other health care providers when appropriate in data collection.
  • Using a data collection process that is systematic and ongoing.
  • Documenting relevant data in a retrievable form.
• Analyzes Assessment Data in Determining Diagnoses
  • Derived from the assessment data.
  • Validated with the patient, significant others, and other health care providers.
  • Documented in a manner that facilitates the determination of expected outcomes and plan of care.
• Identifies Expected Outcomes Individualized to the Patient
  • Derived from the diagnoses.
  • Documented as measurable goals.
  • Formulated with the patient and other health care providers when possible.
  • Realistic in relation to the patient’s present and potential capabilities.
  • Attainable in relation to resources available to the patient.
  • Attainable within the time estimate established.
  • Directed toward providing continuity of care.
• Develops a Plan of Care that Prescribes Interventions to Attain Expected Outcomes
  • Is individualized to meet the patient’s developmental and health status needs.
  • Is developed with the patient, significant others and other health care providers, when appropriate, and considers role relationships and interaction patterns of family members.
  • Reflects current nursing practice.
  • Includes appropriate interventions to meet the patient’s and family’s identified learning needs.
  • Is documented.
  • Provides for continuity of care including post discharge.
• Implements the Interventions Identified in the Plan of Care
  • Consistent with the established plan of care.
  • Implemented to prevent potential developmental and health problems in vulnerable patients and at risk families.
  • Directed at assisting patients and families to understand and cope with developmental and traumatic situations during illness.
  • Implemented in a safe and appropriate manner.
  • Documented.
• Evaluates the Patient's Progress Toward Attainment of Outcomes
  • Evaluating using a systematic and ongoing process.
  • Documenting the patient’s responses to interventions.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of…