STAFF RN - Full Time Day Shift - ASU/PACU

Job Summary:

Minimal Call/Weekends Required; 0700-1730 4 Days/week

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the VP of Nursing the RN performs patient care functions as approved by the State of Maine Board of Nursing and St. Joseph Hospital policies and procedures. The Charge Nurse in each module will provide supervision for the shift that the RN is assigned to.

POSITION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES FOR REGISTERED NURSE

A.      Failure to maintain current BLS, ACLS, PALS or nursing license will result in inability to work until proof of re-certification is obtained. 

B.      Locates emergency devices (i.e. oxygen and gas shut off valves, fire alarms, fire evacuation doors) and is able to verbalize role during emergency situations (i.e. code red, code blue, code strong and disaster).

C.      Provides for the safety of the patients through appropriate use of  equipment, supplies and restraints observing universal precautions and reporting signs of abuse per hospital policy.

D.      Provides clear and accurate documentation of nursing care (including patient education) following ASPAN guidelines and hospital policy.

E.       Admits, transfers and discharges patients including preparing patients for surgery and providing post-operative care according to ASPAN guidelines and hospital policy. 

F.       Reviews plan of care and prioritizes patient care effectively, initiating discharge planning early and communicates with ancillary departments to coordinate services.

G.      Documents nursing care (including patient education) consistently within charting guidelines and provides necessary documentation for reimbursement purposes.

H. Assesses skin integrity per hospital policy and documents assessment appropriately. Reports any skin breakdown to attending provider and nursing staff during hand-off.

I. Verbalizes understanding of fall prevention strategies and use of equipment to safeguard the patient. Follows hospital policy.

H.      Demonstrates knowledge regarding safe medication administration practices and documents per hospital policy.

• Medication dispensing machine: Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of how to use appropriate and per hospital policy.

J.        Demonstrates knowledge of suicidal/high risk precautions. Follows hospital policy.

K.       Ensures environment is safe for patient:  free of clutter, side rails up as needed, call bell close at hand, confused patient observed and monitored as needed. Utilizes seizures pads when appropriate.

• Patient transfers: transfers patient safely to receiving unit. Give hand-off report to receiving RN.

M.    Assists in positioning the patient as appropriate

• Utilizes patient call bell system properly for bay (call bells should be answered promptly). 

O.      Utilizes phone system properly to include: placing calls on hold, transferring calls, etc.

• Utilizes appropriate methods of infection control through standard and contact precautions per policy, i.e. annual fit testing for N95 masks.

Q.     Demonstrates awareness of potential and acute risks in dealing with patients to include reporting mechanisms, documentation and variance report filing (MIDAS)

DD.  Establishes priority order for patient care activities to include the following:

1.       Performs vital signs on patient to include pulses, respirations, blood pressure, temperature, and O2 sat level as indicated by patient condition per protocol.

2.       Communicates needed information to other personnel and clinical leader/charge nurse.  Notifies clinical  

       leader/charge nurse of change in patient’s condition

• Demonstrates proper placement of electrodes & connection for cardiac monitoring.

• Utilizes glucose meter per manufacturer’s instructions and hospital policy.   

EE. Demonstrates knowledge with disposal of items:  i.e. Pharmaceutical waste, sharps, container, etc.

FF. Provides nursing care for the patient requiring a continuous medication infusion.

GG.  Administers and places IVs according to hospital policy

LL.  Demonstrates knowledge and performance in caring for patient who have undergone various surgical procedures including but not limited to general, orthopedic, urological, gynecological surgery, ENT, oral/facial, plastic and hand, etc.

MM.  Ability to float to other perioperative departments as needed.

NN. Completes Post Procedure follow up phone calls and collects information and documents patient response in electronic medical record.  Communicates any concerns to anesthesia provider as appropriate.

OO. Demonstrates knowledge of pain assessment and management to include epidural and other pain control devices.

• Demonstrates knowledge of infusion pumps including IV, PCA, and Epidural delivery devices.

• Demonstrates knowledge with restraint policy for proper assessment, release, ADK assistance and documentation.

• Applies and cares for antiembolism stockings as ordered.

• Manages splints and other prosthetic devices as ordered

• Utilizes the following equipment safely and within hospital policies:

• Sequential stockings

• Intermittent and regular wall suction

• Any special mattress and overlay 

• Bed scales and Hoyer lifts

• Cardiac montiors/defibrillators/pacemakers on code carts

• Chest tube drainage system

• Beds and stretchers

• PCA pumps

• Hovermat/Jack

• Cold Therapy machines

• Wound vac including proper application of sponge, how to care for a leak, how to change container and if familiar with settings and alarms.

• Patient warming and cooling devices

• Cares for patients’ elimination and drainage devices including but not limited to:

• Provides colostomy/ileostomy care/ manages appliance

• Insertion, care and removal of indwelling catheter and straight catheters. Assuring that aseptic technique is always maintained  during insertion.

• Manual irrigation of urinary catheter

• Care of continuous bladder irrigation

• Care of suprapubic tubes

• Jackson Pratt drains or penrose drains

• Care of urostomy / ileal conduit

• Care of NG tube including measuring, verifying placement, securing NG using an approved device and proper function of anti-reflux valve.

• Proper use of bladder scanner; including proper settings and position of probe per manufacturer’s instructions

• Employee can state procedure for utilizing the negative pressure isolation room

• States proper labeling, transport and collection of lab specimens to include/but not limited to UA, C&S, sputum with our without gram stain, wound cultures, stools (for Occult blood, O&P, C-Diff, WBC and culture (uses 2 pt. identifiers and places label on specimen)

• Demonstrates knowledge with transferring a patient from one unit to another.

• Demonstrates ability to perform and/or assist the Anesthesia providers with the following procedures including but not limited to.

• Lumbar Puncture

• Chest tube insertion

• Central line and Arterial line placement

• Nerve blocks

• Blood patches

• Epidural placement

• Administers blood/blood products according to hospital policy and documents appropriately in Carelink system.

• Demonstrates knowledge and use of respiratory assistive devices to include:  oxygen flow meters, oxygen wall outlets, cylinder oxygen tanks, nasal cannulas, venti mask, non-rebreather masks, t-tubes, trach collars and face vent masks

• Demonstrates knowledge and performance of suctioning to include proper technique, proper use of equipment, pre-oxygenation/hyperinflation, oxygenation monitoring, nasotracheal suctioning, oral suctioning

• Demonstrates knowledge and performance of trach care to include: size trach, secure trach, cuff pressure and trach tube cleaning

• Demonstrates knowledge and performance in caring for patient with chest tube .

• Demonstrates knowledge and performance in caring for patient with neurological symptoms to include:  Glascow coma scale, neuro checks, CVA, seizure, etc.

• Identifies RNs role in coordination of services to include:

• Wound and Ostomy Care RN

• Pastoral Care

• Occupational, Physical and Speech therapy

• Respiratory Therapy

• Durable medical equipment (DME)

• Effectively performs cardiac and respiratory assessments, correctly identifies rhythms, demonstrates appropriate care of patient and administers cardiovascular drugs per protocol.

• Partners with Respiratory Therapy to facilitate ventilator management and weaning.

• Effectively demonstrates knowledge and performance of hemodynamic monitoring.

• Demonstrates knowledge of Critical drips and effectively administers and titrates infusion to desired patient response.

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in emergent situations and effectively manages patient emergencies.

• Performs other duties as assigned by Clinical Leader or charge nurse and Director of Perioperative Services.
  
  

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Education: ASN Required, BSN preferred
• License(s): Current Maine RN license or compact license
• Certifications (s): BLS within 30 days of hire

ACLS within 6 months of hire

PALS within 1 year of hire

• Experience: 1 -3 years preferred

Other Skills Required: Must be a team player, have strong communication skills as well the ability to multi-task

Covenant Health Mission Statement

We are a Catholic health ministry, providing healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities.

Our Core Values:

•Compassion

We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering.

•Integrity

We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources.

•Collaboration

We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities.

•Excellence

We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation.

Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, and genetic information (including family medical history).

Comp Range:

Rate of pay displayed reflects the beginning of the pay scale.  At the time of an offer, determination of your offer will reflect your skills and experience as it relates to the position.

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