RN - PRN

Medical Surgical Nurse

The Medical Surgical Nurse is responsible for promoting and maintaining quality patient care through effective management of the activities of the total patient care services during his/her assigned shift. In the absence of the Unit Nurse Manager and/or C.N.O., the Med. Surg. Charge Nurse has the authority and responsibility for administrative decisions and appropriate notification of the Administrator-on-Call.

Education, Credentials & Experience Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and holds current licensure in the state as a registered professional nurse.
• An Associate Degree in Nursing or equivalent.
• Experience as staff nurse and manager.
• BLS Certification
• ACLS/PALS Certification

General Requirements:

• Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the mission and vision of the organization.
• Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs).
• Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time.
• Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate.

General Skills:

• Ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Basic Computer Skills

Working Conditions:

• General environment: Works in a well-lighted, air-conditioned area, with moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.
• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids, or infectious organisms.
• May be required to change from one task to another or different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.
• May be scheduled as needed including overtime.

Physical Requirements & Demands:

• Have near normal hearing: Hear alarms/telephone/normal speaking voice.
• Have near normal vision: Clarity of vision (both near and far), ability to distinguish colors.
• Have good manual dexterity.
• Have good eye-hand foot coordination.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks/motion.
• Continuously within shift (67-100%): Standing, Walking.
• Frequently within shift (34-66%): Bending/Stooping, Pushing/Pulling, Lift/carry up to 20lbs, Lift/carry greater than 20 lbs. with assistance.
• Occasionally within shift (1-33%): Sitting, Climbing, Twist at waist, Lift/Carry greater than 50 lbs. with assistance, Reaching above shoulder

Mission Statement:

Quality Healthcare:

• In our continuing effort to enhance the quality of life for the communities we serve, the Hospital Authority of Miller County is committed to the delivery of superior, safe, cost-effective healthcare through the provisions of education prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Job Specific Competencies:

• In time of need, RN will charge.
• Carries out hospital/nursing policies, procedures and standards.
• Visits all patient care units to ascertain condition of patients, evaluate staffing needs and provide support to caregivers.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Administers the effective distribution and utilization of personnel employed during the respective shift.
• Coordinates and evaluates services rendered by and to all departments respective shift on an ongoing basis.
• Keeps the Med. Surg. Nurse Manager, charge nurse and the C.N.O., his/her representative and/or the C.E.O. informed regarding circumstances or situations which have or may have serious impact.
• Uses good judgment in ensuring adherence hospital procedures and policies.
• Informs personnel on ensuring shift regarding condition of patients, follow-up actions required and any special conditions.
• Evaluates accuracy of staffing systems.
• Participate and assist in the planning and providing of in-service education programs within the hospital or other meetings, seminars or institutes conducted outside the hospital.
• Participates in patient care meetings and in-service educational functions.
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Evaluates and documents performance of employees as indicated and communicates this information to the Med. Surg. Nurse Manager.
• Assumes the duties as outlined in the Emergency Preparedness Manual.
• Follows Pharmacy protocols for obtaining drugs when the Pharmacist is unavailable.
• Ensures doctor's orders are entered correctly.
• Ensures doctor's orders are carried out.
• Updates care plans as necessary.
• Coordinate admissions.
• Check crash cart daily.
• Central line draws utilizing sterile technique in a timely manner.
• Check labs and xrays – reports abn. to physician or mid-level.
• Initiates PUPP as needed.
• Ensures information boards in patient rooms are updated.
• D/C of patient is carried out appropriately.
• Flu and pneumonia vaccines request are fulfilled.
• Blood transfusions, must initiate these staying with patient for at least first 15 minutes- carry out orders in a timely manner.
• Avoid OT.
• Delegates duties.
• ACLS/PALS/BLS updates
• Monitors patient weight gain/loss – reports these to physician.
• Removes C-Lines utilizing sterile technique.
• Reviews plan of care every shift, updates when necessary and notates in progress notes every shift.
• Assists with transfers.
• Ensures the document meds by history procedure is carried out.
• Offers assistance to staff and maintains an even workflow.
• Notates restraint use on the patient assignment sheet.
• Review charts for incomplete orders and/or charting.
• Notifies the physician with any concerns or status change of patient.

Professional Requirements:

• Ensures that appearance and personal conduct are professional at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and quality improvement (QI) activities.
• Must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education per year as policy states.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and OSHA regulations.
• Adheres to department dress code and wears identification while on duty.
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner in the community.
• Attends at least 8 nursing staff meetings per year, or as appropriate.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding operations, fire, safety, and infection control.
• Effectively and consistently communicates administrative directives to personnel.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Thoroughly understands policies and procedures regarding NPSG's.
• Varies work schedule or shift (working overtime, leaves early when requested, work shift other than regularly schedule as required) to meet department staffing needs.
• Demonstrates ability to apply common sense and understand to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagram form.
• Demonstrates ability to deal with problems involving several variables in particular situations.

Guest Relations Standards:

• Always treat others in a friendly, helpful manner.
• Refers co-workers to proper sources when unable to provide an answer.