HCSS Medical Surgical Registered Nurse

Competent Clinician

Competent Clinician. Possesses knowledge and skill to meet standards for competent professional nursing practice as specified in the Texas Nurse Practice Act. Experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled in specialty area. Competently functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Practice is characterized by predominantly interdependent decision-making. Practice is problem focused and patient centered in the manner care is provided. Able to manage unexpected or emergency situations that are commonly seen in assigned specialty population. Serves as a resource for Nurse Clinician I or II. Can manage commonly seen contingency situations that arise on the clinical unit. Provides patient care through nursing practices based upon the American Nurses Association Standards of Professional Practice, and Professional Performance. Values specialty unit, nursing, and institutional strategic initiatives and health system goals.

Major Duties / Critical Tasks:

• Nursing Process Competently and independently assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and documents the daily care of assigned patients
• Patient/Family Teaching & Health Promotion Provides uncomplicated and complex patient/family instruction and healthcare teaching based on identified learning needs
• Care Coordination & Delegation Competently and independently plans, coordinates, and prioritizes patient care activities according to skill level and work complexity
• Ethics (legal/regulatory), Advocacy & Culturally Congruent Care Identifies ethical situations and initiates appropriate communication/consultation to address
• Communication & Collaboration Supports healthy work environment by demonstrating respectful verbal and non-verbal communication with all members of the healthcare team
• Leadership Recognizes informal and formal unit/hospital leaders and can educate colleagues regarding unit/hospital leadership
• Education, Evidence-Based Practice & Research Actively attends/participates in unit meetings/activities and supports the philosophy and goals of the unit/department and UTMB
• Quality, Resources & Safety Identifies patient safety concerns, and reports appropriately; addresses immediate safety concerns appropriately

Required Education / Experience :

• RN with current license or valid permit to practice professional nursing in Texas
• Two (2) years of inpatient hospital experience. The most recent experience must be with the last 12 months.
• Must have current BLS certification obtained through American Heart Association (AHA)

Equipment:

• Able to use equipment and related supplies for a selected patient population.
• Able to use mechanical devices, such as those used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen administration, and intravenous therapy.
• Show competency in point of care testing (POCT) and quality requirements for that testing.
• Able to use related computer equipment.

Working Environment :

• Work environment is in a comfortable indoor area.
• Conditions such as noise, odors, cramped workspace and/or fumes could sometimes cause discomfort.
• Moderate to extreme physical effort may be required, such as walking, standing, performing CPR, and lifting materials, equipment, objects, and/or patients.
• Occasional lifting may be very heavy and awkward, over 50 lbs.
• Vision, hearing, talking, and sense of touch abilities must be adequate to enable one to perform tasks quickly and accurately such as reading small print, reading from monitoring equipment, defining details, sending, and receiving clear and accurate oral communication.
• Frequent periods of concentrated or focused attention will be needed to interpret visual, auditory, and sensory inputs.
• Shift work may be required.
• Alertness and careful attention to detail will be required to avoid injury.
• May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, radiation, chemotherapeutic agents, and disoriented or combative patients.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require the prior approval of the Executive Director of Human Resources

Compensation