Registered Nurse - Stepdown Unit

Nursing Position

This position has the authority, responsibility, and shift accountability for the delivery of nursing care through the use of the nursing process. The incumbent accepts accountability, applies competent clinical knowledge skills, and uses independent nursing judgment for care provided by self and by health care providers to whom care is delegated to achieve quality patient care outcomes. The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge and skills at the novice level necessary to provide care that is relevant to the patient(s) under their care, as well as apply principles of growth and development over the life span. This role provides professional nursing care for patients in an inpatient hospital setting.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

1. Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

OR

Must possess current Temporary or Graduate RN permit as required by state board where services will be provided:

• Documentation of recent graduation from School of nursing
• Must obtain permanent RN license within 90 days of graduation

OH: No temporary permit issued. Ohio Nurses must be currently licensed.

PA: Current PA Registered Nurse Temporary Permit. Permanent license must be obtained prior to the expiration of the temporary permit.

WV: Current WV Registered Nurse Grad Permit. Permanent license must be obtained prior to the expiration of the temporary permit.

Note: Temporary permits are valid only within the state of issuance; they are not multi-state licenses.

2. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

1. Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN)

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Performance Dimensions- This position requires an individual demonstrating the following behaviors in accordance with our mission, vision, and values for nursing practice:

• Care Delivery Systems- Use of competent clinical practice and critical thinking skills to efficiently deliver patient care withal health care providers while maximizing efficient use of resources.
• Leadership- Possesses the interpersonal skills to positively and effectively communicate, negotiate, and resolve conflict.
• Professional Growth- Motivation and drive for continuous development of self.
• Collaborative Practice- Cooperatively interacts with the health care team to support and contribute to the shared group goals.

2. Assumes responsibility, displays appropriate use of authority and accepts accountability in the delivery of patient care.

3. Provides direct patient care within a designated shift, based on the nursing process and within role/scope of practice.

4. Implements appropriate clinical decisions and demonstrates appropriate use of expert peers and/or management, as applicable.

5. In response to data indicating commonly occurring risks to patient health status, initiates actions to correct, reduce and/or prevent risk.

6. Provides coordinated and comprehensive patient care including assessment, expected outcomes, nursing interventions and evaluation within an interdisciplinary team approach.

7. Negotiates the patient care tasks with family/patient within safe practice guidelines. Appropriately delegates patient care tasks to assigned personnel; providing follow-up for completion and patient response.

8. Accepts accountability and uses independent nursing judgment for care provided by self and by health care providers to who care is delegated.

9. Demonstrates the appropriate use of standards, effective use of resources, and evaluation of patient response in the delivery of patient care.

10. Uses standards of care and standards of practice to guide care delivery.

11. Bases decisions made/actions taken on relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings. Seeks assistance/credible resource when unable to perform safely and independently.

12. Performs evaluation of patient response to tasks performed and delegated; including Patient Profile Assessment for safe patient handling and mobility.

13. Determines/revises priorities for direct/indirect patient care activities based on patient acuity and available resources; update to daily care plan to include appropriate algorithms for safe patient handling.

14. Uses established patient care support systems including documentation, communication, & information.

15. Assumes responsibility for the development of others.

16. Engages in mentoring and networking activities to promote professional development.

17. Fosters the integration of staff and/or students into the health care team. Facilitates incorporation of the unit's mission, values, and vision.

18. Functions to promote trusting relationships and open, honest communication at the unit level.

19. Engages in exchange of information relevant to specific patient assignment.

20. Interacts with various members of the health care team to meet patient care needs.

21. Participates in Performance Improvement activities as appropriate.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements:

1. Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards. Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds. All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient's profile and appropriate algorithms.

1. Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Working closely with others

2. Protracted or irregular hours

3. Working around biohazards

4. Working around infectious diseases

5. Working with or near the deceased

6. Working with hands in water

7. Electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment

Skills and Abilities:

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

Shift: Non-Exempt

Company: WMCH Weirton Medical Center

Cost Center: 20 WMCH Nursing ICU

Address: 601 Colliers Way Weirton West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer:

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.