Description
Job Summary
- Provides direct and indirect patient care in the medical-surgical setting. Communicates with physicians/Nurse Manager/co-workers, as appropriate about changes in patient’s clinical condition including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology
- Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment
- Additionally, is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments, with adequate supervision.
Essential Functions
- Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses and assessment of changes.
- Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
- Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
- Knowledge of the principles of growth and development over patient life span and the skills necessary to provide age, appropriate care to the patient population served.
- Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
- Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care.
- Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes pediatric, geriatric and the general patient population.
- Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
- Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
- Follows the six medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
- Ability to formulate an individualized plan of care, revise plan as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.
- Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family.
- Communicates appropriately and clearly to charge nurse, coworkers, and physicians.
- Ability to assist physicians with procedures.
Non-Essential Functions
- Ensures an adequate stock of supplies and proper functioning of equipment
- Responsible for minor housekeeping, as needed
Leadership Capabilities
- N/A
Organizational Expectations
- Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors
- Maintains patient confidentiality at all times
- Maintains a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with hospital standards
- Complies with all organizational policies
- Completes annual education, OSHA, and infection control requirements. Maintains regulatory requirements
- Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities
- Cooperates with other personnel to achieve departmental objectives, maintain good employee relations and interdepartmental objectives
- Communicates and adheres to ES1, Mission and Vision, Core Values, Code of Conduct, Professional Appearance Standards and Ethics and Goals of the facility
- Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time
- Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly
- Performs other related duties as assigned or requested
Qualifications
Education
- Associates Degree in Nursing, Required
- Bachelors Degree, Preferred
Required Licenses/Certifications
- Must have a current Mississippi Registered Nurse license or a current Compact State Registered Nurse license
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, required within 90 days of hire or transfer
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), required within 90 days of hire or transfer.
Experience
- N/A
Required Skills
- Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision
- Capable of being flexible and organized
- Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action
- Strong written and verbal skills