Staff Nurse

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
Plans, organizes and evaluates the direct and indirect nursing care of special observation unit patients according to their individual needs, utilizing the nursing process. Cares for patients of all ages.

Essential Functions
Administers and maintains IV fluid/lines. Evaluates for potential interactions, predicts possible complications of infusions, intervenes in emergency situations with the correct solutions, anticipates and requests appropriate solution changes, and institutes changes based on evaluations. Conscious Sedation Validation: Predicts possible complications, intervenes appropriately in emergency situations, anticipates, requests and institutes appropriate changes based on evaluations. Performs wound management. Communicates and follows-through on the treatment plan. Has in-depth knowledge of the available treatment products and teaches the patient and family wound care. Discharge a patient. Identifies and acts appropriate in all code situations. Performs, assists, and manages invasive procedures (ER, PACU, SOU, CCU). Has necessary computer skills for documentation, data retrieval, order entry as required. Teaches patients in identified areas of need and evaluates the learning. Creates teaching tools, identifies and selects handouts. Oncology Management (SOU, CCU). Demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of wound drainage devices. Problem solves situations. Analyzes and interprets findings with appropriate corrective action. Administers medications safely. Utilizes correct documentation. Evaluates the potential for drug interaction. Possess patient teaching skills for a wide variety of drugs. Anticipates needed changes in drugs. Can setup and monitor chest tube drainage systems. Triage patients. Predicts possible complications, intervenes in emergency situations, institutes appropriate changes based on evaluation. Monitors enteral feeding tubes. Institutes changes based on evaluation as needed. Understands necessary lab values and is effective in assisting in the process. Documents correctly in the medical record. Correctly utilizes flow sheets, charts appropriately in progress notes. Conveys the situation accurately, holistically, with actions taken , utilizes chain of command as necessary, follows-up as necessary, and evaluations the situation so teaching and learning occur. Patient monitoring Equipment Special Care Areas Tele Schedules procedures. Administers blood products. Recognizes and acts on signs of blood reactions. Is aware of and acts on the hemodynamic effects of blood product infusion. Uses the O2 pulse oximeter for therapeutic outcomes. Admit a patient. Floats to others areas as needed, once oriented. Seeks collaborative relationships, identifies problems, facilitates solutions, evaluates results, makes changes as needed. Coordinates patient care with the appropriate referral. Activates the referral process, coordinates follow-through, evaluates effectiveness and makes changes as necessary. Waive testing (one touch, dipstick, etc). 1) Collects and processes appropriately 2) Evaluates data and institutes appropriate treatment. Perform a complete physical assessment by system: cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, GU/GYN, musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory. Processes lab values with physical findings, patho-physiology of diseases, and the patient's own health status to formulate, act, and evaluate plan of care. Realizes possible (+) or (-) spillover effects of the chosen action. This process is achieved in a multi-disciplinary approach. Correctly records and calculates I&O. Correctly calculates cumulative I&O. Anticipates problems, and institutes change based on the evaluation. Conducts mobility assessments. Uses the fall precaution program. Matches activity to tolerance levels. Institutes post-op mobility programs. Devises, implements, evaluates multi-disciplinary teams on patient care mobility issues. Performs skin integrity assessment. Uses skin integrity tool. Considers homeostasis and the physiological milieu of the patient in devising a plan of care. Collects specimens correctly: 1)timed 2)containers 3)processing. Anticipates the need to collect specimens based on the patient's condition. Knows culture results and compares them to the antibiotic therapy. Invasive Management (ED, PACU, CCU, SOU).

Education
RN required, BSN preferred. Knowledge of fundamentals of nursing practice required.

Experience/Training
Registered nurse with a minimum of one (1) year recent Medical/Surgical or Telemetry experience required..

License/Certifications
Current Washington State RN License required. American Heart Association ACLS 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 necessary skills and knowledge to provide care for patients according to SVH and unit specific policies and procedures. Demonstrates excellent critical thinking skills and the 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. Effective 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.