RN - ER

Emergency Room Nurse

Under the direction of the nurse manager, perform a variety of direct and indirect patient care activities based on standards defined by the Emergency Department. Assess (and reassess), plan, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions, plans of care, and patient goals. Provide patient care based on standards of care, standards of practice, protocols, and established policies and procedures. Respect each patient as an individual and provide care that fosters the patient's sense of dignity and positive self-regard. Provide patient and family teaching based on identified learning needs, readiness to learn, and barriers to learning. Collaboratively plan and prepare patient and family for discharge, incorporating support systems and resources as necessary. Appropriately delegate and supervise nursing interventions performed by others. Prioritize patient care and seek assistance from appropriate resources as needed. Provide thorough, timely, and accurate documentation of all pertinent data, therapeutic interventions, and patient responses according to established standards. Provide timely and thorough report on assigned patients to other healthcare team members to ensure integration of services and continuity of care. Promote learning for colleagues and self, functioning as a preceptor or instructor, and attending professional development programs. Proactively identify risks to patient safety and identify opportunities to reduce medical and healthcare errors. Identify ethical issues in care and develop plans to address them. Safely administer medications and intravenous therapy in accordance with physician's orders, protocols, policies, and procedures. Assess patient pain level upon admission and as necessary, depending upon diagnosis. Reassess effectiveness of pain control and notify physicians as needed. Perform and document initial assessment upon patient arrival and implement triage protocols as needed. Identify patients at risk for potential or alleged abuse and initiate safety plans for domestic violence, child, and elder abuse patients. Complete required mandated reporting in a timely manner and collect and document forensic evidence as per policy. Maintain knowledge of Disaster Policy and Procedure. Initiate non-violent interventions for patients at risk for violent behavior. Demonstrate knowledge of restraint indications, alternatives, monitoring, and documentation. Recognize normal and abnormal laboratory and diagnostic results and appropriately notify the physician of changes. Safely administer vasoactive medications, demonstrating understanding of dosage, action, and use. Perform accurate and timely identification of cardiac arrhythmias. Institute, monitor, and document thrombolytic and anticoagulation therapy standards and protocols. Demonstrate skills associated with the initiation and maintenance of the intubated patient. Accurately interpret arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, and clinical features of impaired gas exchange and airway clearance. Obtain supporting information and complete required documentation related to medication reconciliation. Implement components of the VAP bundle consistently per protocol. Alert the Nurse Manager or Nursing Supervisor if there is a deviation from protocol for case review and follow-up as indicated. This document describes the major duties and responsibilities for this job and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Employees may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described. Exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects. Frequently reach, handle, and feel items while occasionally stooping, kneeling, and distinguishing colors. Behavioral attributes required include achievement motivation, concern for order, flexibility, initiative, self-confidence, customer service orientation, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, analytical thinking, and information-seeking. Minimum education required is an AS in nursing; BS in nursing preferred. 3-5 years of experience in an Emergency Department preferred.