PRN Position - Shifts and hours vary

POSITION SUMMARY:

Delivers direct and indirect care to medical and surgical patients through the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation.  Interacts with patient, significant others and other health team members to coordinate total patient care.  Maintains professional and unit specific standards of care. Provides direct and indirect patient care in the medical-surgical setting that meets psychosocial, physical, and general aspects of care. Performs the nursing process; assess-reassess/plan/impement plan/evaluate as appropriate to nursing role/scope of practice.  Facilitates pt. and family education. Participates in Process Improvement, Core Measure(s), Meaningful Use Compliance and other applicable quality monitoring as assigned.  Provides care that reflects initiative and responsibility indicative of professional expections. Is patient advocate. Communicates with physicians and interdisciplinary team as appropriate about changes in patient’s clinical condition including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology.  Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. Maintains regulatory agency requirements, and follows nursing and hospital policies, procedures, and standards as pertinent to scope of practice and hospital role. Performs other duties as assigned. 

AGE OF POPULATION SERVED:

Infant to geriatric (non-specific)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

The following is a summary of the major essential functions of this job.  The incumbent may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below; and specific functions may change from time to time.

• Builds a strong, positive relationship with every customer served, both internal and external
• Works effectively with others to deliver the highest quality care and service on a continuous basis
• Follows AH standards of performance at all times
• Demonstrates skills and knowledge to effectively complete assigned tasks and completes all required education programs
• Delivers safe, accurate and timely patient care that conforms to AH standards departmental goals  and the following job duties:

1.     Performs age appropriate admission and routine assessment to determine medical history and current health status.

2.     Analyzes the assessment date to determine patient needs and incorporate these needs into a plan of care.

3.     Implements nursing and physician ordered interventions.

4.     Evaluates the patient’s progress toward expected outcomes.

5.     Collaborates with patients, significant others, and health team providers in providing patient care.  

6.     Provides appropriate patient and family teaching.

7.     Acquires and maintains current knowledge of nursing practice.

8.     Adheres to hospital policy, procedures and standards. 

• Works diligently to meet every customer’s needs.
• Fully engaged, fully aware and available to help others while on duty
• May be required to work days or nights and to cover both Inpatient and ED after completing proper training.
• Demonstrates patient centered care, focusing on bedside report and purposeful rounding.

• Accomplishes tasks with the minimum expenditure of time, materials and money with service as the guiding principle.
• Works productively while on the clock and offers to help others when work is completed.
• Demonstrates the ability to positively and productively respond to change.
• Participates in continuous improvement, offering and or implementing methods to improve care and service. 

1.     Observe patient rights at all times, be an advocate for the patient.

2.     Document accurately and timely.

3.     Observe universal precautions.

4.     Knowledge of sterile procedures

5.     Patient safety observed at all time.

6.     Observe departmental policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The following qualifications, or equivalents, are the minimum requirements of this job:

Education/Formal Training:  Must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing 

Licensure/Certification: 

• RN Licensure: Must hold a current valid license to practice nursing in North Carolina with no pending or substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation of resident or patient property recorded with the board of nursing.
• BLS/ACLS/PALS: Current certification in BLS, ACLS and PALS required. Must have current BLS certification through the American Heart Association upon hire, or obtain within 30 days of hire date.  Must have current ACLS and PALS certification through and approved program upon hire, or obtain within 6 months of hire date.
• Work Experience: Knowledge of medical/surgical nursing and practices. Minimum of one year medical surgical nursing experience preferred but not required. Has working knowledge of North Carolina Nurse Practice Act. Basic computer knowledge.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:  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.  Actively functions as a patient advocate.  Must have thorough knowledge of all necessary patient assessment techniques, treatment techniques and the operation and maintenance of all unit specific equipment, including IV pumps, computer terminals, printers and fax machines.  Knowledge of current hospital emergency policies and procedures, including CPR is required along with knowledge of fire, safety, disaster, and infection control policies.  Excellent communication and administrative skills are necessary.   Demonstrates an ability to respond to changing workloads and performs in an accurate and precise manner in crisis and emergency situations when time is critical.  Uses support staff in an efficient and cost conscious manner.

Position:  Required flexibility in working different areas, different shifts, week-ends and holidays and in adverse weather conditions.