Physical Requirements: Position requires standing on feet for long periods of time interspersed with sitting at desk to complete paperwork. Ability to bend, stretch, reach, handle/finger delicate objects. Must be able to lift and position patients. Excellent verbal and auditory skills required for communicating clearly and effectively with patients, physicians, families, care team members, other hospital departments. Manual dexterity required to operate medical equipment. Near visual acuity required for preparing and reading reports/papers. Ability to cope with physical and emotional stress.

Experience: Minimum two year critical care experience required; previous E.R. experience preferred.

ORGANIZATIONAL STANDARDS

TEAMWORK:

Works in collaboration with others by building team spirit.

CUSTOMER SERVICE/SERVICE EXCELLENCE:

Seeks opportunities to provide friendly & courteous service

QUALITY/SAFETY:

Works to the highest quality standards & ensures the safety patients, self and others.

ACCOUNTABILITY/RELIABILITY:

Evaluates own work for opportunities to improve.

INITIATIVE:

Proactive and takes responsibility for actions, projects and people.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assesses patient needs and implements a plan of action based on this assessment

• Assesses patient needs and provides clinical intervention.
• Recognizes, interprets, and reports patient assessments accurately to physician.
• Explores psychiatric and medical history.
• Performs technical skills safely and according to current procedure.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of equipment.
• Explains all procedures, treatments, and medications to patient and family.
• Is knowledgeable about types of patient’s conditions most commonly encountered.
• Is knowledgeable about: medications, IV solutions, treatments, tests. Can identify: purpose, side effects, and contraindications.
• Maintains effective and timely communication either E.D. patients, their families, and significant others, as well as other members of the health care team, to promote the delivery of quality patient care.
• Functions proficiently in the role of triage nurse by determining and documenting patient priority of care based on subjective and objective findings after initial interview with patients.
• Writes discharge and/or transfer notes which clearly reflect the patient’s status with regard to health, knowledge, and activity.
• Makes decisions which reflect sound judgement based on facts.
• Communicates problems and difficulties encountered to the ANCC, charge nurse or Nursing Director.
• Participates in unit based Quality Improvement activities.
• Instructs patients and/or families in techniques and methods of home care upon discharge from the Emergency Dept.
• Completes and/or assists in completing written patient discharge instructions.
• Evaluates patient’s response to medical /nursing interventions provided.
• Evaluates patient’s response to teaching and documents evaluation appropriately.
• Documents and records all pertinent patient data and nursing interventions in a clear, accurate, concise, and relevant manner.
• Reflects patient’s response to intervention and documents on nursing charting forms appropriately.

Utilizes the appropriate clinical pathway that prescribes specific interventions to attain expected outcomes

• Demonstrates competency in initiating and implementing course of treatment established via clinical pathway.
• Plans and meets the needs of the patient within the time frame provided by the clinical pathway and scope of responsibility.
• Monitors patient’s response to course of treatment and determines how to meet patient needs.
• Provides on-going assessment via a flow charting system that is by “exception only”.
• Ensures that appropriate interventions are implemented to meet patient’s needs utilizing the skills of the appropriate care team member and within the service, cost, and quality guidelines established by the care center.
• Coordinates the care activities of multiple practitioners in a way that addresses each patient uniquely.
• Evaluates patient’s condition and response to nursing care and initiates a patient care plan when patient deviates from clinical pathway

• Evaluates patient progress toward attainment of outcomes and patient satisfaction based on attainment of outcomes.

Educates patient and family to the disease process and treatment regimen

• Demonstrates skill and ability to involve patient and family in the course of treatment through on-going discussions and meetings.
• Involves patient and family in creating the plan of care if one needs to be established. For patients on clinical pathway, demonstrates ability to educate patient and family about the course of treatment to be undertaken.
• Utilizes a variety of methods to provide full understanding and comprehension of diagnosis, disease process, and treatment regimen based on assessment of patient’s ability to learn. (Videos, literature, one-on-one lessons)
• Communicates clearly and explains all procedures, treatments, and medications to patient and family within the scope of clinical practice.
• Provides patient and family with information or appropriate referral relative to support groups.

Coordinates, integrates, and facilitates the discharge plan process

• Initiates discharge plan at time of admission based on clinical pathway criteria.
• Initiates discharge plan at time of admission based on plan of care established for patient not on clinical pathway.
• Establishes the equipment/medical intervention needs of the patient for discharge, and when appropriate begins to make arrangements immediately upon admission. (Includes patient transport, Visiting Nurse Service, home care, physical therapy treatments, home health aide, etc.)
• Writes discharge and/or transfer notes which clearly reflect the patient’s status with regard to health, knowledge, and activity.
• Completes PRI for patients being released to Nursing Home at time of discharge.

Conducts Continuous Quality Improvement of the Care Center

• Demonstrates ability to identify a problem
• Assists in the development of a screening mechanism.
• Assists in the development of a plan for corrective action.
• Supplies information collected to QI/Resource Management.
• Provide leadership to clinical staff in the change process.

Utilizes knowledge and expertise in case management to provide comprehensive, coordinated, seamless care

• Demonstrates ability to delegate duties to team members after assessing patient’s needs and varying skill levels of staff members
• Evaluates the quality and effectiveness of clinical practice by participation in quality of care activities.
• Participates with care team in establishing policies and procedures relative to performance improvement, patient care activities, and regulatory agency standards.
• Promotes an atmosphere within the care center which facilitates collaboration and promotes empowerment of patients and staff.
• Demonstrates ability to assess and articulate medical and psycho social issues to care team members of other shifts.
• Screens and manages complex call backs for discharged patients who require further intervention.
• Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering care to patients.
• Serves as a patient advocate through length of stay

Provides care that reflects an understanding of individual cultural and religious diversities and needs as well as recognition of patient rights

• Creates and maintains an atmosphere of courtesy and respect toward patients, families, and staff.
• Provides an atmosphere which is patient driven and patient focused.
• Demonstrates respect for the cultural and religious diversities and needs of the patients, families, and staff.

Maintains professional development

• Evaluates own practice in relation to professional practice standards, relevant statutes, and regulations.
• Participates in on-going educational activities related to clinical knowledge and professional issues.
• Precepts and monitors peers, colleagues, and students in professional development.
• Participates in clinical research activities as consistent with nurse practice act.
• Recognize need for mediation to resolve conflict
• Maintains a positive and supportive attitude toward the mission and goals of Catholic Health Services.

Other functions and performance indicators

• Maintains a consistent pattern of attendance in accordance with assigned schedule.
• Adheres to hospital/department dress code. Arrives to work appropriately dressed, well-groomed and neat. Demonstrates good personal habits
• Utilizes principles of infection control and universal precaution in the performance of patient care activities.
• Conforms to policies governing patient abuse, patient rights, and confidentiality of information.
• Performs all related duties as required and unrelated duties as requested during emergencies.

• Adheres to all organizational policies and procedures