Job Summary:
Responsible for the planning, coordination, and provision of nursing care to patients on the medical/ surgical unit. This position is responsible for age-related physiological, emotional and cognitive needs of the following age groups of patients: Adolescent, adult, and geriatric. Includes, but not limited to: Care planning, vital signs, medication dosages, physiological changes, and psychosocial needs. Supervises and delegates care responsibilities to ancillary personnel commensurate with their scope of practice. This position is represented by CNA.
Job Requirements:
Education and Work Experience:
- Associate Degree(A.S.) or equivalent: Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing: Preferred
- One year in medical-surgical experience: Required
Licenses/Certifications:
- Current RN license in state of practice: Required
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required
- Registered Nurse (RN) license in state of practice: Required
Facility Specific License/Certifications:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required
Essential Functions:
- Provides appropriate nursing interventions in stable and emergent patient situations. Is competent in all routine nursing skills including: (1) medication administration, (2) intravenous therapy including blood products, (3) care & maintenance of indwelling catheters & drains and, (4) safe use of any medical equipment such as glucose meters, IV pumps and PCA machines routinely used in the medical/surgical setting.
- Provides for age-related physiological, emotional and cognitive needs of the following patients populations, including but not limited to: Adolescent, adult, geriatric, and those with hearing, learning and physical disabilities. Includes, but not limited to: Vital signs, medication dosages, physiological changes, and psychosocial needs.
- Initiates a multidisciplinary, goal oriented care plan for each patient in collaboration with members of the health care team and provides care based on that plan. Is competent in (1) epidural management, (2) care of acute post op wounds, (3) sterile technique and, (4) assessment of vascular patency. Educates patients and/or their families regarding care. Uses teaching methods appropriate to the age, condition, culture, and assessed learning-readiness of the patient. Delegates patient care tasks to ancillary personnel based on individual competency and scope of practice. Evaluates effectiveness of care performed.
- Completes legible, accurate and timely documentation of all nursing care provided, including evaluation of patient's response to medications, treatments & procedures.
- Actively participates in the orientation and training of new employees, students and ancillary staff. Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve care, services, and unit operation. Is open to change and reaching new goals for the unit.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
