Job Summary:
Provides for the planning, coordination, and provision of nursing care to patients in the Pediatric Unit on specified shifts. This position is responsible for care planning, medication administration, noting of physiological changes, and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients as well as the education/training of the patient and their family. Supervises and delegates care responsibilities to ancillary personnel commensurate with their scope of practice and will be cross trained and float to NICU. 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
- Two years Pediatric Nursing experience: Required
- Previous experience with newborns requiring step-down care: Preferred
Licenses/Certifications:
- Current RN license in state of practice: Required
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) 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
- AHA-PALS or ARC-PALS: Required
- AHA-NRP or ARC-NALS: Required
Essential Functions:
- Provides appropriate nursing interventions for both stable and acutely ill pediatric patients. 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 used in the pediatric acute care environment.
- Demonstrates knowledge & skills in the care and management of the pediatric patients requiring ventilatory support devices/procedures i.e. O2 cannula, oxygen tent, suctioning, & nebulized medication with hand held nebulizer. Demonstrates knowledge and skills in caring for the acutely ill pediatric patient with a variety of diagnoses--from newborn up to 18 years of age. Care provided is age specific and developmentally appropriate. Demonstrates appropriate clinical judgment in managing pediatric emergencies. Demonstrates knowledge & skills related to pediatric fluid & electrolyte management. Is knowledgeable in nutrition & feeding. Is able to identify abnormal lab values & notifies physician appropriately.
- Provides appropriate psychosocial support to families/caregivers throughout the pediatric patient's hospitalization. Initiates a multidisciplinary, family-centered, goal oriented care plan for each pediatric patient in collaboration with members of the health care team and provides care based on that plan.
- Educates patients and families/caregivers regarding the pediatric patient's care to include in-hospital care as well as care after discharge. Uses teaching methods appropriate to the condition, culture, and assessed learning-readiness of the patient and parents/guardians.
- Completes legible, accurate and timely documentation of all nursing care provided, including evaluation of the pediatric patient's response to medications, treatments & procedures. Consistently performs necessary unit specific safety & quality control checks (i.e. Shift and 24hr MD order checks, VO/TO Read Back, crash cart checks, urine QC, refrig logs & outdate checks). Actively participates in the orientation and training of new employees, students and ancillary staff.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
