Registered Nurse, Surgery

Responsible for delegation, supervision and provision of the nursing care of a designated group of patients through utilization of the nursing process. Provides age-appropriate care. Participates in research when appropriate and incorporates research findings into evidence-based clinical practice. Contributes to quality improvement processes. Adheres to MH Mission, Vision, and Values, the Nursing Division Mission, Vision and Philosophy, the ANA Code of Ethics and the Illinois Nursing Act.

Education:

• BSN preferred.

Yearly Credentialing to Maintain Current Track:

• Attends all JCAHO, OSHA and hospital/nurse manager specified mandatory inservices.
• Validates competencies and obtains credentials as identified in unit specific requirements.
• Minimum four contact hours of specialty, nurse manager approved, inservices within last 12 months (does not include Joint Commission mandatory inservices).

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

1. Licensed as RN in State of Illinois
2. CPR certification required, or obtained during nursing team onboarding process.
3. ACLS and PEARS within a year of hire if not certified at time of hire.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to position and/or transfer an average adult patient and possess gross coordination sufficient to perform other patient care duties as required. Must be able to withstand prolonged periods of standing. Must be able to perform difficult manipulative skills such as IV insertion and IM injections.
• Environmental working conditions include exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue, contagious diseases and/or radioactive or other potentially hazardous materials.

Professional Nursing Care

• Age appropriate assessment.
• Data analysis to identify nursing problems.
• Defines individualized patient outcomes.
• Develops an interdisciplinary, individualized plan of care in partnership with patients and families.
• Implements specified interventions to attain expected outcomes.
• Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attainment of outcomes, revising the plan when indicated.

Supervision and Delegation

• Delegates patient care tasks to LPNs and unlicensed assistive personnel based on job description, individual capability and patient needs.
• Communicates patient status and caregiver performance expectations.
• Appropriately supervises performance of LPNs and unlicensed assistive personnel.
• Directs performance improvement for LPNs and unlicensed assistive personnel.
• Builds teamwork when supervising and delegating to others.

Communication and Collaboration

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills.
• Uses therapeutic communication techniques.
• Demonstrates assertiveness.
• Communicates relevant patient information to other members of the health team.
• Documents patient care according to Memorial policies and procedures.
• Ensures appropriate implementation of physician’s orders.
• Accesses electronic data to facilitate patient care.
• Create and maintain a collaborative work environment.
• Participates in interdisciplinary planning and decision-making.
• Precepts new nursing employees and/or nursing students.

Quality and Safety

• Identifies and resolves safety risks.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement.
• Participates in the periodic review and revision of policies, procedures and standards of care.
• Complies with all safety policies.

Professional Accountability

• Demonstrates ethical decision-making.
• Advocates for patients and families.
• Appropriately follows the chain of command.
• Adheres to the Memorial Health System Behavioral Standards.
• Develops annual plan for own professional development.
• Participates in community health initiatives.
• Participates in community organizations.
• Contributes to nursing research activities and applies findings in clinical practice.
• Participates in nurse peer review process.

Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.