Registered Nurse RN- Observation

Job Title

This position possesses the knowledge to assess, implement and monitor the patient care for outpatients that are assigned to observation status.

Responsibilities

(30%) * Regularly assesses patients/clients needs and provides skilled nursing services as prescribed by the physician authorized plan of care, and accepted standards of nursing practice.

(30%) * Provides direct patient care, including medication administration, treatments, call lights, assisting with transfers, responding to alarms, etc.

(20%) * Evaluates effectiveness of treatment plan and makes suggestions or participates in updating/revising the treatment plan in collaboration with other team members, utilizing current information to improve patient care.

(10%) * Processes physician/provider orders and performs physician ordered care accurately, completely and in a timely manner.

(10%) * Follows up regarding medication changes and order clarifications.

Other duties and responsibilities:

Demonstrates the ability to interpret information and reports pertinent data to the physician, including pertinent clinical information.

Assess learning needs considering readiness, ability, preferences, and cultural / spiritual variables.

Provide education to meet the individual needs and ability to learn.

Participates in care conferences as assigned.

Develops and maintains good working rapport with interdisciplinary personnel to meet the needs of each patient.

Coordinates care provided by patient care technicians.

Demonstrates the ability to organize and prioritize the needs of groups of patients or an individual patient.

Demonstrates a general ability to manage assignments and perform routine duties on the unit.

Instructs other team members when appropriate, explaining goals and rationale for individualized care.

Implements clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Demonstrates understanding of clinical pathways and utilizes appropriately.

Remains calm and efficient when working in stressful situations.

Documents in an accurate, clear, and concise way and includes pertinent clinical data.

Shares information and reports significant changes and/or abnormal findings to appropriate team members.

Participates in regulatory surveys.

Participates in the performance improvement activities.

Assists with orientation and ongoing competencies.

Provides a safe and secure environment for patient care.

Attend and participate in professional association activities and programs to assure being current on regulations, guidelines, and professional standards.

Remains current on new developments by reading professional journals, and attending seminars.

Demonstrates understanding of role in emergency preparedness procedures.

Assesses both the physical and psychological needs of patients through completion of the nursing history and admission assessment.

Possess sound critical thinking skills in the initiation of appropriate protocols and clinical pathways based on initial assessment findings.

Initiates physician orders, completes appropriate consent forms and coordinates care with other hospital departments to ensure timely disposition of patients either to discharge or to inpatient status.

Documents in accordance with medical center policy.

Initiates a teaching plan appropriate to the identified needs and the patients level of understanding.

Communicates effectively with patients, families, and physicians to assure that appropriate care is provided.

Demonstrates an understanding of all medications administered for care of the patient and performs these duties in accordance with hospital policy and documentation standards.

Evaluates patient progress toward discharge and, if necessary, initiates additional interventions.

Provides written discharge instructions with a complete knowledge of physician preference and discharge routine.

Maintains a therapeutic relationship with the patient, family and other health care providers to assure that patient care goals have been accomplished.

Completes appropriate documentation.

Other duties as assigned.

Certifications and Licensures

Credential: BLS: Basic Life Support

Equivalent Experience: Within 3 months of hire or transfer.

Qualification Source: AHA

Essential: true

Credential: DIMC: Dysrhythmia Interpretation Man

Equivalent Experience: Employees hired after January 1, 2025, are required to take, and pass Telemetry Monitoring and management class (DIMC) within 12 months of hire or transfer.

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

Credential: RN: Registered Nurse

Equivalent Experience:

Qualification Source: MI

Essential: true

Credential: TEAM ADVANCED: Techniques for Effective Aggression Mgt

Equivalent Experience: Within 6 months of hire or transfer (Employees who are in this position on or before 12/31/2023 will have 24 months to complete this certification)

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

Required Education

Education: ASSOC

Equivalent Experience: Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred.

Education Specialization: NRG

Essential: true

Other Information Equivalent Experience and Other Comments (Education)

Education: ASSOC

Equivalent Experience: Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred.

Education Specialization: NRG

Essential: true