Registered Nurse Flexible Practice Unit - Weekends only

Registered Nurse

Responsible to the Unit Director/Manager for the overall nursing practice of the unit during the shift assigned. In the absence of the Unit Director/Manager, the RN is responsible to the Clinical Supervisor, Charge Nurse or the Clinical Coordinator of the shift.

Provides professional nursing care based on current nursing knowledge through use of the nursing process. This includes the responsibility for assessment of the patient's needs, development of the plan of care to meet those needs, implementation of nursing measures and evaluation of the effectiveness of the nursing care and other treatment measures.

The Flexible Practice Unit Registered Nurses obtain their shift assignments from the Nursing Administration Office and are assigned throughout the Medical Center where needed by nursing management. Flexible Practice Unit Registered Nurses may be given multiple unit assignments in any one (1) shift.

Minimum requirements:

Education:

1. Completion of an accredited registered nurse program required; BSN preferred.
2. A trauma nurse course is required within one year of assignment to the department.

Experience:

1. One year Critical Care/ED experience if rotating to ED, MICU/SICU, or PACU
2. Charge qualified preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Flexible Practice nurses must be competent in IV therapy including insertion and maintenance of IV's, and blood administration and blood products. Monitoring and use of Central lines, A-Ports and Picc lines including lab draws.
2. Effectively functions as a team member and as a liaison between patient and staff.
3. Supports and encourages harmonious communication skills.
4. Job requires strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
5. Communicates in highly professional manner at all times.
6. Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with ill people; uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families, and co-workers at all times.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Current Pennsylvania RN licensure.
2. Meets the American Heart Association's standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.
3. Within four months from the hire/transfer date, meets the American Heart Association's standards for Healthcare Provider Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and renews ACLS every two years.
4. If rotating to ED, MICU/SICU, or PACU: Within six months of the hire/transfer date, meets the American Heart Association's standards for Healthcare Provider Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and renews PALS every two years.
5. Within four months from the hire/transfer date, obtains National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
6. Within three months from the hire/transfer date, completes the Crisis Prevention Institute's (CPI) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and renews annually.

Supervision Received:

Receives minimal supervision from the Nursing Supervisor.

Supervision Given:

The Registered Nurse will only have supervision of others while serving as Charge Nurse.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

1. The Nurse Collects Patient Health Data by:
   1. Prioritizing data collection based on the patient's immediate condition or needs.
   2. Collecting pertinent data using appropriate assessment techniques based on the patient's and family's developmental levels, health status and identified learning needs.
   3. Involving the patient, significant others, and other health care providers when appropriate in data collection.
   4. Using a data collection process that is systematic and ongoing.
   5. Documenting relevant data in a retrievable form.
2. The Nurse Analyzes the Assessment Data in Determining Diagnoses that are:
   1. Derived from the assessment data.
   2. Validated with the patient, significant others, and other health care providers.
   3. Documented in a manner that facilitates the determination of expected outcomes and plan of care.
3. The Nurse Identifies Expected Outcomes Individualized to the Patient. Outcomes are:
   1. Derived from the diagnoses.
   2. Documented as measurable goals.
   3. Formulated with the patient and other health care providers when possible.
   4. Realistic in relation to the patient's present and potential capabilities.
   5. Attainable in relation to resources available to the patient.
   6. Attainable within the time estimate established.
   7. Directed toward providing continuity of care.
4. The Nurse Develops A Plan of Care that Prescribes Interventions to Attain Expected Outcomes. The Plan:
   1. Is individualized to meet the patient's developmental and health status needs.
   2. Is developed with the patient, significant others and other health care providers, when appropriate, and considers role relationships and interaction patterns of family members.
   3. Reflects current nursing practice.
   4. Includes appropriate interventions to meet the patient's and family's identified learning needs.
   5. Is documented.
   6. Provides for continuity of care including post discharge.
5. The Nurse Implements the Interventions Identified in the Plan of Care. Interventions are:
   1. Consistent with the established plan of care.
   2. Implemented to prevent potential developmental and health problems in vulnerable patients and at risk families.
   3. Directed at assisting patients and families to understand and cope with developmental and traumatic situations during illness.
   4. Implemented in a safe and appropriate manner.
   5. Documented.
6. The Nurse Evaluates the Patient's Progress Toward Attainment of Outcomes by:
   1. Evaluating using a systematic and ongoing process.
   2. Documenting the patient's responses to interventions.
   3. Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions in relation to outcomes.
   4. Using ongoing assessment data to revise diagnoses, outcomes, and the plan of care as needed.
   5. Documenting revisions in diagnoses, outcomes, and the plan of care.
   6. Involving the patient, significant others, and other health care providers in the evaluation process, when appropriate.
7. The Nurse Systematically Evaluates the Quality and Effectiveness of Nursing Practice by:
   1. Participating in quality of care activities as appropriate to the individual's position, education, and practice environment. Such activities may include:
      1. Identification of aspects of care and development of indicators used to monitor the effectiveness of nursing care.
      2. Collection of data to monitor quality and identify opportunities for improving nursing care.
      3. Recommendation and implementation of activities to improve the quality of nursing practice and patient outcomes.
      4. Participation on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate clinical practice or health services.
      5. Development of policies and procedures to improve quality of care.
   2. The nurse uses the results of quality of care activities to initiate changes in practice.
   3. The nurse uses the results of quality of care activities to initiate changes throughout the health care delivery system, as appropriate.
8. The Nurse Evaluates His/Her Own Nursing Practice in Relation to Professional Practice Standards and Relevant Statutes and Regulations by:
   1. Engaging in performance appraisal on a regular basis, identifying areas of strength as well as areas for professional/practice development.
   2. Seeking constructive feedback regarding his/her own practice.
   3. Taking action to achieve goals identified during performance appraisal.
   4. Participating in peer review as appropriate.
9. The Nurse Acquires and Maintains Current Knowledge in Nursing Practice by:
   1. Participating in ongoing educational activities related to clinical knowledge and professional issues.
   2. Seeking experiences to maintain clinical skills and demonstrate clinical competency.
   3. Seeking knowledge and skills appropriate to