Registered Nurse; ED

Nurse Role

This role is considered the minimum role for all nurses who have greater than 12 months experience. Provides and coordinates independent care to patients within a clinical specialty as a fully effective and participative member of the multidisciplinary patient care services team. Utilizes the institution's care delivery and professional practice models as the frame of reference for practicing as a professional nurse. Participates in activities to develop own practice, and to support group practice goals at the unit level. Is accountable to patient, family and team members for care provided and to the nurse manager for totality of work performance. Is accountable to hold to the Service Standards and to the Nursing Mission, Vision and Values.

Under limited supervision, the Registered Nurse is responsible for the assessment of patients including the development, evaluation and modification of the plan of care. The RN interprets and performs complex patient-care procedures specific to their area of expertise. RN's are members of the Care Team and Support Team and have accountability to function as a team to accomplish patient outcomes identified in the pathway/plan of care.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. These are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Participates as a member of the Patient Care Team by providing functional supervision and by delegating duties to other care team members as they provide appropriate direct patient care duties.
• Carries out performance standards for charge nurse; when assigned that duty, as delineated in the delivery of care methodology.
• Assigns nursing care responsibilities to staff.
• Participates as a member of the care team to provide direct care requiring the skills/qualifications of the RN.
• Performs assessment/data collection in an ongoing and systematic manner, focusing on physiologic, psychological and cognitive status.
• Formulates a goal-directed plan of care with patient/family which is prioritized and based on determined nursing diagnoses/patient care needs/problems and patient outcomes.
• Functions to establish priorities of patient care based on essential patient needs and available unit resources of time, personnel, equipment and supplies.
• Identifies patient/family learning needs and implements appropriate measures to meet these.
• Performs documentation duties on unit and in patient record which are timely, accurate, concise and legible.
• Demonstrates competency in selected psychomotor skills as outlined in generic and unit specific manuals and performance standards; assists physicians with procedures; implements care in a knowledgeable, skillful, consistent and continuous manner.
• Demonstrates appropriate delegation of tasks and duties in the direction and coordination of healthcare members, patient care and unit activities.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to patient/family rights, as identified with the institution.
• Demonstrates competence in patient/SO education, as validated by direct clinical observation.
• Identifies and responds to patients' need for pain management from arrival to departure.
• Evaluates effectiveness of care given by all healthcare team members in progressing patient toward outcomes.
• Collaborates with Case Manager to evaluate outcomes and effectiveness of plan of care

Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs. Highly effective verbal and written communication skills are required to interact with patient families, departmental units, medical and nursing staff on all essential matters. Demonstrated/documented effective interpersonal skills. Maintains updated hospital safety and other mandatory training. Updated immunizations as recommended per practice area. Demonstrates the ability to function in the charge nurse role. Participates in teambuilding efforts on their unit. Contributes to briefings/staff meetings regularly. Contributes and participates in unit, Nursing Division, and organizational governance structure. Participates in recruitment and retention activities at the unit level. Provides feedback in peer review as requested. Provides direct performance feedback at the direction of the nurse manager.

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority. Implements policies, procedures, and standards consistently in the performance of assigned duties. Develops effective working relationships and maintains good communication with other team members.

Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland, or eligible to practice due to Compact state agreements outlined through the MD Board of Nursing, is required. BSN preferred. ED experience highly preferred. Current AHA BLS, ACLS certification required. Must meet all unit specific certification requirements: (PALS, ACLS, NRP). Effective verbal and written communication skills. Basic computer skills are required. Up-to-date status on all mandatory training and classes. One year of nursing experience. Solid knowledge and clinical skills. Maintenance of 10 contact hours of education every two years.

University of Maryland Medical Center