Department:Job Description Summary:Position ResponsibilitiesMedical Step Down Responsibilities
- Maintains annual clinical competence in care of surgical patients, administration of vasoactive medications, and telemetry monitored patients.
- Assesses clinical and diagnostic data of the surgical population served.
- Troubleshoots unit specific equipment.
- Monitors patient hemodynamic response to interdisciplinary plan of care and intervenes appropriately.
- Performs tracheostomy care according to hospital policy and procedure.
- Provides individualized teaching to patients/family requiring surgical procedures, telemetry monitoring, and vasoactive medication administration.
- Interprets ABG results and intervenes appropriately.
- Administers medications via PCA competently.
- Assess, monitor, and document patient response to chest tube management.
- Assesses clinical, diagnostic, and laboratory data of the population served.
- Prepares surgical patient and demonstrates care post operatively.
- Transport monitored patients to testing, procedures and higher level of care with defibrilator.
Assessment
- Performs initial vital signs and admission history to include introduction to patient and family. Assessment of chief complaint and notification of physician within 15 minutes of arrival to unit.
- Obtains and documents a complete nursing admission assessment, including physiological and psychological factors to develop an interdisciplinary plan of care within eight hours of admission.
- Performs and documents an accurate systems assessment at the beginning of each shift.
- Responds to diagnostic data and initiates appropriate action or intervention.
- Assesses patient education needs on admission and daily.
- Assesses psychosocial needs specific to patient's age, growth, and development.
Planning
- Initiates an interdisciplinary plan of care within eight hours of admission.
- Establishes priorities for patient care based on patient needs as evidenced by completion of assigned duties within shift.
Implementation
- Verbalizes understanding of patient diagnosis and interdisciplinary plan of care.
- Safely and correctly initiates and documents nursing interventions in emergency situations.
- Performs 24-hour chart check at the beginning of each shift.
- Prepares intravenous solutions using aseptic technique.
- Administers, observes, and documents intravenous therapy according to hospital policy.
- Administers medications within 30 minutes of scheduled time. Observes and documents effectiveness. Recognizes and reports adverse reactions immediately.
- Provides individualized instructions each shift to patient/significant other regarding the plan of care.
- Demonstrates safe and correct use of unit specific equipment.
- Ensures that each patient's general hygiene needs are met daily.
- Performs pre-operative and post operative care and instruction for each assigned surgical patient during shift.
- Adheres to standard precautions including hand hygiene guidelines at all times.
- Documents specific patient valuables on designated form when received and immediately arranges for appropriate storage.
- Performs dressing changes using aseptic technique.
- Collects and labels specimens per policy when ordered by physician.
- Performs bedside glucose monitoring according to policy.
- Administers internal feedings via ng tube, g tube, and/or j tube.
- Reports all abnormal findings immediately to physician.
- Initiates wound and skin protocol upon identification of actual or potential skin breakdown.
- Performs ostomy care to include irrigation, appliance usage, and reinforcement of teaching.
- Inserts intermittent or indwelling urinary catheter using aseptic technique.
- Administers oxygen therapy according to physician order.
- Transfers patients in/out of the unit in an efficient manner, by obtaining a complete and correct set of physician's orders. Completes documentation of transfer summary. Ensures appropriate completed referral forms accompany intra-facility transfers, including giving/receiving of report.
- Demonstrates safe and correct use of restraints as per policy.
Evaluation
- Documents/reports patient responses or outcomes resulting from: nursing interventions, treatments/procedures, interpersonal interactions, and patient/family education.
- Evaluates and documents patient's progress towards established goals/objectives every shift.
- Updates/revises patient care problem list and individualized patient care standards based on patient/family responses, progress towards goals, and/or change in medical status every shift.
- Evaluates patient length of stay and related transfer/discharge planning needs based on anticipated problems/needs, internal or community resources, and support systems.
Professional and Staff Development
- Obtains 100% mandatory hospital and unit specific inservices annually, prior to evaluation date.
- Plans, presents, and documents unit inservice as required by level.
- Documents competency in clinical skills annually.
- Attends staff meetings as required.
- Uses established lines of communication for resolution of problems and interpersonal conflict.
Leadership
- Aggregates and analyzes PI and Risk initiatives.
- Ensures that supplies are charged accurately on a daily basis.
- Assists Director with scheduling and assures accuracy of daily schedule sheets.
- Ensures problem resolution for any issues regarding internal and / or external customers.
- Conducts staff meetings (at least 2 per year); in collaboration with unit Director.
- Demonstrates the expertise necessary to function as a role model for staff.
- Fosters teamwork and builds mutual understanding, respect and confidence among personnel and between departments.
- Uses a systematic problem-solving process to make sound decisions in a timely manner.
- Uses initiative and sound judgment in delegating responsibilities.
- Maintains a customer-focused attitude at work through a spirit of cooperation, pleasant and respectful demeanor, and helpfulness towards patients, visitors, physicians, peers and employees.
- Demonstrates commitment towards professional growth through development of skills and knowledge.
- Knowledgeable of general safety and risk management procedures and responds appropriately to emergency situations, including fire, disaster and clinical emergencies.
- Collects and interprets data to monitor the departments performance and improve processes; and when applicable evaluates the outcomes related to the use of clinical practice guidelines.
- Is responsible for providing leadership and direction for staffing in accordance with the organization goals and objectives and meets changing needs in the area(s) of responsibility.
- Assumes authority, accountability and responsibility for the formal and informal direction of others.
- Maintains a high level of employee satisfaction.
- Provides for orientation, initial job training and continuing education of all employees in the department.
Qualifications- License/Registration/Certification
- Current FL Nursing License, Current Basic Life Support, and Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support required.
- Education
- Experience
- Team Leader: Min 3 years exp in the area of specialty.
Benefits:We believe in the physical and mental well-being of our employees and are committed to offering comprehensive benefits that fit their personal needs:
- Health benefits
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Healthcare spending accounts
- Retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Pet Insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee assistance program
- Wellness program
- On-site housing for select positions and more!
Degree Requirements:Certification: 
