Job Summary

Supports, and is responsible for incorporating into job performance, the Frederick Health (FH) mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy and adheres to the FH Compliance Program, including following all regulatory requirements and the FH Standards of Behavior.

Independently provides patient care using the nursing process and performs leadership and teaching duties necessary that supports effective patient care.  Supports and participates in continuous quality improvement activities.  Functions within the limits of the State and Federal licensing, regulatory bodies and hospital policies.

Essential Functions:

• Assesses the biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational and discharge planning of patients according to nursing standards.
• Uses knowledge and experience in identifying patient needs and prioritizing treatment.  Recognizes and accurately documents and communicates subtle changes in patient assessment.
• Provides initial assessment and reassessments according to current organizational and department standards for Assessment of Patients and Nursing Assessment and documents according to policy.
• Anticipates potential changes in patient’s condition and responds appropriately.
• Anticipates needs based on assessment findings and proposed procedure or course of care.

• Ensures an effective plan of care for assigned patients based upon the standards for planning and providing care.
• Initiates individualized plan of care using nursing diagnosis based on identified patient needs and includes all available resources, e.g., family, caregivers, other disciplines and community agencies. 

• Efficiently organizes and prioritizes patient care and seeks assistance when necessary in order to meet the needs of individual patients.
• Actively participates in development of standards of care according to departmental, organizational, professional or regulatory standards.
• Implements plan of care in compliance with hospital and nursing policies in accordance with all appropriate standards.
• Completely and accurately implements and documents nursing interventions and patient response.  Communicates pertinent information to patient and members of the health care team in a concise and timely manner utilizing an interdisciplinary approach.
• Assures that the patient/family are updated regarding the status of the patient and any changes in the patient or plan of care as they evolve.
• Demonstrates flexibility in giving and receiving patient assignments on the department and hospital-wide based on skill mix of the staff available and patient care demands.
• Evaluates nursing care, which includes tools and equipment related to patient care.
• Reviews, evaluates and documents effectiveness of interventions, making modifications as needed on the plan of care.
• Evaluates new and existing equipment, policies, procedures and programs.
• Anticipates patient’s response to interventions and collaborates with patient/family and health care team to revise treatment plan accordingly.
• Identifies variances from expected outcomes and makes appropriate recommendations.
• Provides patient/family education      
• Assesses patient/family for:
• Current knowledge of health status, condition or disease process; barriers to learning; readiness, willingness and ability to learn
• Cultural, religious, financial and patient preference implications related to learning.
• Identifies learning needs and establishes goals using standardized or individualized teaching plans.
• Implements the plan through direct, interactive teaching with additional use of teaching aids and materials as appropriate.  Evaluates effectiveness of teaching.
• Communicates patient/family progress toward learning goals and need for follow-up to other nurses and health care disciplines.
• Integrates discharge planning and referral into the teaching process.  Documents teaching per policy.
• Independently offers support to less experienced staff to aid in patient/family teaching.
• Demonstrates professional expectations as evidenced by: 
• Incorporates suggestions for self-development and/or performance into daily practice.
• Meets all requirements of clinical ladder level.
• Actively engages in department efforts to promote retention of staff and provide for a high level of employee morale.
• Utilizes supplies, equipment, and technology to ensure quality of patient care.
• Floats to other nursing units in the hospital as requested
• Demonstrates leadership/accountability qualities.    
• Consistently utilizes communication style that sets department tone for positive professional behavior.  Promotes meaningful focused communication between all members of the healthcare team as appropriate.
• Encourages professional interactions between ancillary healthcare givers, including physicians.
• Demonstrates effective delegation skills as they pertain to nursing staff in the delivery of safe nursing care and communication to peers.
• Demonstrates effective precepting and mentoring skills for RN’s and ancillary staff.  Adheres to program policies and participates in effective department orientation.

• Demonstrates accountability for the following which includes but is not limited to:
• Reviewing Quality Assurance report/data for accuracy and completeness according to departmental standards.
• Contributing to the evaluation/auditing process for CNA’s, Technicians, and peers, etc.
• Must complete all Hospital wide and Department specific competencies.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Clinical competency in their departmental area of practice.
• Ability to use technology and equipment to perform job duties.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective use of proper body mechanics when handling patients, supplies and equipment.
• Ability to handle a physically demanding environment.
• Skills and abilities to perform all job description duties according to the age specific patient population served by their department.
• Ability to meet the requirements annually of the FH Clinical Ladder.
• Ability to keep patient and employee information confidential
• Competency in operating equipment required to meet patient care needs.

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Required:

• Eligible for or currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in State of Maryland or compact state.
• Associates degree in Nursing required; Bachelors of Science in Nursing preferred or willing to obtain within 5 years of employment
• Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• BLS certification is required of ALL nurses within 90-days of hire.

The following certifications are required for the nursing units specified.  Each certification must be completed within 1 year of hire.

§2C (Oncology/Thorasic) – Chemotherapy

§4B, 4A, 4G, 2G (Telemetry) – ACLS

§L&D, OB/OR – NRP, C-EFM w/in 3 years

§Family Center – NRP

§NICU – NRP

§ICU – ACLS

§Peds/Peds ED – PALS

§OR – ACLS

§Cath Lab – ACLS

§PACU – ACLS

§ENDO – ACLS

§Pre-Op – ACLS

§Emergency Dept – ACLS, PALS, Base Station

Patient Contact

Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills in providing appropriate care/contact for patients in the following age groups * This would be based on designated patient population for each nursing department.

•             X          Neonate (0 thru 30 days)
•             X          Infant (31 thru 12 months)
•             X          Child (13 months thru 12 years)
•             X          Adolescent (13 years thru 17 years)
•             X          Adult (18 years thru 65 years)
•             X          Geriatric (66+ years)

Physical Demands:

Medium-Heavy Work – Lifting up to 100 pounds on an infrequent basis (less than one lift every three minutes) and/or carrying up to 50 pounds while walking.  Pushing or pulling up to 115 pounds infrequently or greater than 115 pounds occasionally (no more than once per hour).

 Ergonomic Risk Factors:

Repetition:  Repeating the same motion over and over again places stress on the muscles and tendons.  The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the speed of the movement, the required force and muscles involved.

Forceful Exertion:  The amount of physical effort required to perform a task (such as moving patients) or to maintain control of equipment or tools.  The amount of force depends on the type of grip, the weight of an object or person, body posture, the type of activity and the duration of the task.

Awkward Posture:  Posture is the position your body is in and its effect on the muscle groups that are involved in the physical activity.  Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting, working overhead with your hands or arms, or holding fixed positions.

Contact Stress:  Pressing the body hard on sharp edges can result in placing too much pressure on nerves, tendons, and blood vessels.  For example, using the palm of your hand to hit or stick objects can increase risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Working Conditions:

1. Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Risk:   Category A – WILL have exposure to blood or body fluids. Exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous materials and highly technical and heavy equipment.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to Department Manager.  Also receives supervision from Director or Hospital Supervisor.  

Disclaimer:

The content of this document reflects the general duties, responsibilities, minimum skills, abilities and competencies necessary to perform the essential functions of the job and should not be considered as an exhaustive detailed description of all the work requirements of the position.

Schedule:
Part time 40 hrs/pay period with minimal weekend or on-call required