Registered Nurse

I. General Summary

This role is considered the minimum role for all nurses at BWMC who have greater than (>) 12 months experience. This nurse will be competent in the skills/knowledge required and fully participate in unit governance. Independently provides and coordinates care provided to patients within a clinical specialty. Serves as a fully effective and participative member of the multidisciplinary patient care services team. Demonstrates and models the full range of nursing professional practice in both care provided and in participation in development of strategies to improve patient outcomes, satisfaction with service and cost effectiveness at the unit level. Strives to provide an environment where patients, families, and colleagues collaborate in the delivery of care. Is accountable to peers for the advancement of group practice on the unit, and to the nurse manager for the totality of work performance. Is accountable to hold the Service Standards of the Nursing Mission, Vision and Values. 

II. Minimum Education Requirements

• An Associate Degree in Nursing is required; Bachelor of Science from a College of Nursing is preferred.

• Current Maryland RN licensure is required prior to beginning orientation.

• At least 1 year of RN experience is required.

• Professional Certification is highly encouraged.

• Employees hired on or after July 1, 2018 will be required to complete a Bachelor of Science from a College of Nursing within 5 years from the date of hire or transfer into a Clinical Nursing position.

• If there is gap in applied nursing experience of 5 years or more successful completion of a refresher course within past 6 months is required.

III. Qualifications 

• American Heart Association (AHA) BLS required upon hire 

• Must meet all unit specific certification requirements: (PALS, ACLS, NRP) 

• Maintains all Clinical Nurse I core expectations

• Competent evaluation with successful passing of probation; current on all mandatory classes/training.

• Ability to learn and use computer systems in order to manage patient information 

• Demonstrated effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills 

IV. Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

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.

Professional Practice

1. Independently practices with solid knowledge and clinical skills 

2. Competent in care of unit specific patient population and functions effectively in roles specific to the unit 

3. Utilizes and integrates evidence into practice

4. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to plan and coordinate care addressing patient/family needs

5. Transitions from task based care to holistic care

6. Participates in unit based Clinical Practice activities

7. Integrates patient education materials utilizing the Teach Back methodology 

Practice Focus Areas:

• Assists in the development of clinical practice guidelines and standards for unit 

• Services as Clinical Resource for others 

Professional Development

1. Engaged in advancing own practice

2. Contributes to ancillary personnel skills and development 

3. Participates in unit based Professional Development activities

4. Contributes to unit based education and learning activities (One (1) per year that could be posters, storyboards, presentation, in-service, group project)

5. Completes a minimum of ten (10) CE’s annually (a minimum of 50% of the 10 continuing education hours must be directly related to the full scope of your certification and/or specialty; a minimum of 50% of your 10 continuing education hours must be formally approved CE’s) or successful completion of six (6) credit hours towards a BSN or Master’s Degree 

Practice Focus Areas:

• Member of professional organization

• Serves as super-user or subject matter expert (SME)

• Participates in organizational or community service programs, such as Health Fairs, walks, booths, schools, churches, etc.

• Achieves professional certification in area of practice

• Achieves a BS from a College of Nursing

Organizational Innovation 

1. Demonstrates knowledge of Nursing Sensitive Quality Indicators (NSQI), National Hospital Quality Measures, National Patient Safety Goals, HCAHPS and contributes to unit initiatives to improve them

2. Participates in the unit based process improvement (PI) efforts assists in development of action plans and supports implementation

3. Participates in the elements of research

4. Assists with regulatory readiness

5. Models professional behavior and culture of excellence standards on a consistent basis with emphasis on the UM BWMC model of care 

Practice Focus Areas:

• Participates in organizational regulatory readiness

• Participates in unit based research activities 

• Participates in the development of patient education materials 

Leadership 

1. Delegates appropriately to other healthcare team members 

2. Participates in teambuilding efforts on units; supports and models teamwork throughout the organization 

3. Participates in unit/hospital based committee or councils 

4. Participates and supports the AACN guidelines for Healthy Work Environment (communication, collaboration, effective decision making, recognition, leadership, staffing).

5. Complies with standards for unit operations (equipment, scheduling guidelines, etc.) 

6. Provides feedback for peer review as requested

Practice Focus Areas:

• Performs charge role for assigned shifts as needed; supports charge nurse decisions

• Serves as preceptor, coach, mentor to new nurses and students

• Participates in unit based reward and recognition activities

• Leads efforts that support unit operations such as equipment maintenance, scheduling, etc. 

• Contributes to development of and participates in unit based peer review processes 

• Participates as team member focusing on elements within the Healthy Work Environment 

• Participates in the peer interview process

V. Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.

2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.

3. Implements policies, procedure, and standards consistently in the performance of assigned duties.

4. Develops effective working relationships and maintains good communication with other team members.

5. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

VI. Working Conditions

1. Weekend, shift work, holiday, on-call, and overtime may be required.

2. Work requires maximum lifting weight of 35 lbs. when participating in patient care tasks up to 50% of the time to position and/or assist patients on to carts or into wheelchairs or beds, and generally with ambulation. Work requires standing, sitting, bending, and/or walking for up to 100% of scheduled work time; maximum lifting weight of 50 lbs. when lifting equipment and supplies. Includes reaching for: grasping and handling equipment/ supplies. Requires hearing/listening to differentiate sounds. Visual acuity is necessary to read labels, charts, documents and use various instruments.

3. There is potential for regular exposure to patients possessing infectious diseases requiring observance of universal precautions requiring wearing protective clothing, gloves, and mask as appropriate, and observance of safe work practices.

4. Potential to be floated to like units with like skill sets based on acuity and census 

5. Works inside a clean, well-lighted environment. .May be exposed to frequent interruptions and multiple crisis situations.May be physically or verbally abused by patients.Expected to work on rotating shifts including weekends and holidays as necessary.May be expected to work on other than regular unit to provide adequate staffing, if the need arises.Participates in temporary assignment measures of department of Nursing.Potential for regular exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous materials, requiring the observance of Standard (Universal) Precautions and safe handling practices.This position has been classified as medium exposure risk and requires the completion of an annual respirator mask fitting.