Job Details
Overview

Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY: The registered nurse plans and provides professional nursing care to the patient from admission to discharge. He/She coordinates care with other disciplines, consults with the family or significant others, and collaborates with the physician on the patient’s behalf. The RN assesses, implements, and evaluates nursing care. The RN is responsible for supervision of PCTs and Support Assistants. The medical surgical registered nurse provides care in a 23 private room unit. This unit cares for patients with a variety of medical and surgical diagnosis including but not limited to, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, pneumonia, diabetes, COPD, abdominal surgeries, total joint replacements, hospice, orthopedics, skilled rehabilitation and infusion care.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Administers nursing care to patients; includes assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating the patient’s care plan in coordination with the physician.
• Provides patient/family or caregiver education and counseling in recognition and solution of physical, emotional and environmental health problems.
• Supervises health care members (i.e., patient care technicians, etc.) with patients.
• Utilizes computer applications and communication technologies appropriate to the work setting to enter, retrieve and analyze information and to facilitate communication and education.
• Maintains knowledge of documentation requirements needed for patients’ record.
• Works independently with limited direct supervision using the Nurse Practice Act, Mercy Medical Center polices, nursing standards and professional judgement.
• Maintains knowledge of equipment set-up, maintenance, and use (i.e., IV pumps, monitoring equipment, and drainage devices). Utilizes safeguards such as IV pump drug library and monitor alarms whenever available to maximize patient safety.
• Works rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Initiates emergency support measures (i.e., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, protecting patient from injury).
• Takes assigned call as defined in unit policy.
• Adheres to standards of care for respective nursing units and utilizes the nursing process.
• Demonstrates nursing knowledge and judgement concerning patient care delivery.
• Demonstrates ability to establish priorities and organize effectively.
• Demonstrates competence in the clinical practice area.
• Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and continuing education.
• Demonstrates professional written and verbal skills.
• Demonstrates professional attitude and interest in work by maintaining acceptable work habits and behavior.
• Demonstrates knowledge and participates in the education of patients, relatives, and/or visitors.
• Demonstrates commitment to Customer Service and the Standards of Behavior.
• Maintain an awareness of personal and patient safety when performing all duties.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: Understands and is able to apply the nursing process while meeting established Nursing Standards. Must be able to read, write and follow written and oral instructions in English. In addition, must be: able to operate computer efficiently; skilled in meeting the growth and development needs of infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient groups; and must possess knowledge and understanding of cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation processes of these patient groups. Maintain BLS certification at health care provider level and ACLS, as well as, Mandatory Reporting certification.

EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

EXPERIENCE: Nursing experience in a hospital setting preferred.

LICENSURE: Current license as a Registered Nurse from the State of Iowa required.