Staff Nurse

6723

The information described in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Other information : Job Summary

A professional caregiver who assumes accountability for a group of patients by providing care to these patients through the nursing process. The RN is dedicated to providing quality service in a timely, courteous, and cost effective manner.

Essential Functions

Demonstrates Safety Awareness : Role in codes red, blue, orange, gray, silver, amber, external triage, internal triage, rapid response team, “CODE NAME” clear, lift, and blue trauma. Role in medical equipment failure (if applicable) Using universal precautions. Demonstrating, describing proper body mechanics. Using lifts. Appropriately disposes of materials (linens, sharps, hazardous materials). Practices Infection Control Strategies : Describes / demonstrates standard precautions. Describes / demonstrates work unit specific infection control processes related to equipment, procedures, etc. Participates in Quality Improvement : Seeks knowledge, skills, abilities to implement quality improvement processes. Implements quality improvement processes. HIPAA Requirements : Observes / protects patient privacy and confidentiality Corporate Compliance : Demonstrates understanding of Corporate Compliance and business ethics Environment of care : Describes or demonstrates responsibilities under all Environment of Care (EOC) areas with respect to job title, work unit and area of expertise. Follows the approved hand hygiene practices and procedures : Follows proper hand hygiene procedures. Natural nails are proper length and free of ornamentation. Practices Age / Culture Awareness : Describes / demonstrates considerations made for cultural differences encountered in day-to-day work. Describes / demonstrates considerations made for age differences encountered in day-to-day work. Safely and accurately performs bedside blood glucose testing : Performs bedside blood glucose testing using appropriate techniques per policy. Interprets results and intervenes appropriately. Performs quality control per procedure. Has completed written Accucheck competency this calendar year. Knowledge and standards of performance : Follows unit specific RN performance standards, structure standards, policies procedures. Utilizes knowledge of human growth and development to plan and provide age-appropriate patient care. Utilizes VOICE skills and meets VOICE Standards. Demonstrates effective responses to unit / patient crisis situations. Demonstrates punctuality to work, maintains good attendance record, and commitment to assigned schedule. Completes timecard per procedure, adheres to dress code, and keeps license and certifications up-do-date. Participates in self-evaluation and completes all required data at performance appraisal time. Demonstrates ability to appropriately challenge questionable care practices. Participates in committees, task forces, and projects. Attends unit staff meetings and maintains effective interdepartmental communication. Maintains a positive, customer-oriented attitude. Meets organizational and work unit standards as outlined in policies and procedures. Performs all job duties in accordance with recognized safety procedures. Demonstrates the ability to make calm and sensible decisions under various work situations, dealing with immediate problems reasonably. Chooses appropriate standard of care and associated protocols and individualizes POC per patient need. Reviews POC and revises as needed. Collaborates with other health care professionals, communicates POC to other members of health care team. Completes all POC upon discharge. Engages in discharge planning. Demonstrates ongoing evaluation of patient condition and evaluates effectiveness of each intervention. Judges the effectiveness of current protocols and documents all evaluations. Prior to discharge completes / reviews / sends with patient : discharge Med Reconciliation list, appropriate discharge teaching, and complete discharge instructions. Identifies patient / significant other learning needs and implements appropriate teaching protocols. Utilizes documentation tools according to established guidelines. Documents effectiveness of medications. Documents pain scale evaluations. Patient`s Rights / Legal Issues : Functions to protect patient privacy, meet patient`s right to be informed, and protect patient`s valuables per hospital policy. Continuous Quality Improvement : Demonstrates appropriate use of Quantros and adherence to all unit and department safety policies. Demonstrates appropriate use of Medication Event Forms. Participates in QI activities : audits, data collection, and criteria development. Leads and / or participates in developing and designing systems and processes for the new organization. Continually improves and redesigns processes to increase productivity and quality. Accountable and productive time mgmt. Essential Functions Specific to Operating Room : Demonstrates surgical consciousness : Creates and maintains sterile field, table set up. Demonstrates understanding of principles of sterile techniques (Sterile items only on sterile field, areas of sterile field defined - table tops, packaging, gowns, traffic areas). Able to identify and correct breaks in techniques. Demonstrates ability to use and troubleshoot operative camera equipment and related power equipment : Demonstrates use of arthroscopy equipment. Demonstrates use of colonoscope, gastroscope, bronchoscope, hysterscope, choledoscope. Demonstrates use of sinus scopes, Shea drill, wizard shaver and related instruments. Demonstrates use of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy equipment. Demonstrates understanding of sterilization and disinfection principles and techniques of flash sterilization and high level disinfection : Defines bioburden. Defines sterilization vs. high-level disinfection. Demonstrates use of STERRAD. Demonstrates use of STERIS. Demonstrates use of autoclave. Demonstrates understanding of surgical care peculiar to children from birth to adult : Metabolic, fluid and electrolyte temperature and pain response of each age group. Anesthetic equipment, inductions and emergent considerations for each age group. Psychological considerations dealing with fear, parental separation for each age group. Provides necessary safety equipment and padding to position patients without injury : Supine, prone (jack knife, Wilson frame). Lithotomy (Allen Stirrups, candy canes). Lateral beanbag, hip positioned. FX table. Principles of tourniquet application. Demonstrates awareness of patient safety issues and provides a safe environment; uses age-appropriate techniques : Performs sponge, sharps and instrument counts per policy. Is constantly aware of instrument use and position on field. Labels and identifies medication with circulating RN. Handles and disposes of sharps and biohazardous materials to minimize exposure to self and others. Limits surgical length of time by preparing case cart and room prior to induction of patient's anesthesia (has needed supplies and extras available). Demonstrates proper use and care of surgical equipment and instrumentation : Attends in-services and educational offerings. Utilizes available resource manuals. Follows manufacturer recommendations and hospital policy when using and caring for surgical instrumentation. Demonstrates efficient use of time : Prepares for cases adequately. Completes competency test. Laser safety : Demonstrates understanding of laser safety. ESU : Demonstrates knowledge of safety concerns to electro cautery. Proper placement of cautery pads. Megadyne 2000. Proper settings. Troubleshooting Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

RN required, BSN preferred

Experience / Training

One year perioperative experience preferred.

License / Certifications

Washington State RN License required. American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS required.

Other Skills

Demonstrates ability and appropriate technical skills when administering treatments and procedures in accordance with physician's orders and policies and procedures. Demonstrates ability to handle emergency situations in a prompt, precise, and professional manner. Provides personal patient care to provide comfort and well being to the patient, acknowledging physiological and psychological needs. Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus. Potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens / biohazard waste and radiation.

Skagit Regional Health offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, 457b / 401a (retirement), long term disability, and paid time off to all employees holding an FTE of 20 or more hours per week. Eligible employees also receive sick time pay.