WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Registered Nurse

MAIN FUNCTION:

Provides nursing care to patients in an efficient, professional, compassionate and caring manner. Directs the activities of paraprofessional as they provide care. Responsible for assuring effective communication with patients, support persons and members of the healthcare team. Responsible for implementing nursing care of assigned patients via the Nursing Process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation. Acts in compliance with hospital, Nursing Department policies/procedures and the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Ohio. Follows WCH Nursing Philosophy and practice model which are derived from the Synergy model and appropriate Service Standards as outlined in Employee Handbook.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Department Director, Clinical Manager, Charge Nurses

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• Active license in the State of Ohio
• Maintain a current AHA (American Heart Association) Healthcare Provider BLS card while in this position.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• BSN
• Clinical Certification

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Employees in this position may be:

• Exposed to blood, body fluids and/or airborne pathogens and are required to wear personal protective equipment
• Employees in this position must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, turn, crouch, and bend as necessary to complete nursing care tasks
• Required to take "on call" status
• Reassigned to another nursing unit to provide nursing care within current job description
• Subject to STHR (short term hour reduction) according to policy

POSITION EXPECTATIONS: All expectations detailed below are considered ADA (American Disabilities Act) Essential.

Leadership

• Demonstrate ability to lead/direct a team of caregivers in providing care for a group of patients

• Facilitates teamwork by adhering to Nursing Practice Model

• Accepts and responds to change productively, while maintaining a positive attitude

• Role models professional nursing practice and behavior

• Demonstrates conflict resolution skills

• Effectively implements the nursing process for assigned group of patients including appropriate delegation

• When/if assigned as Relief Charge Nurse, functions in a professional and thoughtful manner, demonstrating:

  • Decision-making and priority setting skills
  • Time management and effective use of resources
  • Appropriate delegation skills
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Adherence to Relief Charge RN unit responsibility list
  • Professional communication that fosters a calm and orderly environment

Communication

• Maintains awareness of verbal / non verbal communication in interactions with staff, other departments, physicians, patients and families

• Maintains patient confidentiality in all communication interactions: written, verbal, electronic, and digital

• Collaborates and communicates effectively with all members of the health care team

• Reports critical information to physician and others as indicated

• Properly utilizes chain of command to handle issues

• Facilitates communication between staff members, i.e. conducts shift huddles

• Demonstrates basic ability to initiate and manage crucial conversations

• Utilizes AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Expectations, Thank You) strategies to foster positive communication

• Interacts with clinical students in positive, productive manner

• Communicates all pertinent information regarding patient and their care needs to nursing and other departmental staff as reasonable and necessary (ex. handoff communication, hall pass, report)

Operations

• Maintains appropriate clinical skills:

  • Administers care according to WCH/unit policy/procedure, current standards of care and Ohio Nurse Practice Act
  • Performs assessments/reassessments and documentation relevant to patient's condition, needs and age, per nursing documentation guidelines. Communicates changes in patient condition to physician in timely manner and suggests possible interventions and course of care as appropriate in a collaborative manner.
  • Initiates, evaluates and reviews plan of care

• Provides age appropriate health teaching related to diagnosis, identified patient/family needs and medication, using available teaching resources and assuring patient family understanding by teach back

• Administers medication safely:

  • Correctly demonstrates use of CPOE(Computer Physician Order Entry)
  • Demonstrates knowledge of drug purpose and effectiveness as related to diagnosis
  • Follows 6 rights of medication administration
  • Demonstrates appropriate/safe medication handling/administration
  • Reassesses and documents effectiveness of medication

• Assures team members huddle and round on patients to :

  • Evaluate the environment to assure safety & infection control standards are met
  • Evaluate the care provided to assure it is based on practice standards and evidence based practice
  • Evaluate the educational plan and its implementation; assessing for and addressing gaps in care
  • Evaluate for any additional /alternative care needs, and patient/family satisfaction
  • Evaluate adherence to nursing practice standards of care and documentation of care by the nurse and team members

• Coordinate work to achieve maximum productivity. Able to multitask and prioritize workload. Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in a timely manner.

• Demonstrate reasonable and rational judgment in decision making

• Other duties as assigned by management team

Customer Service

• Displays positive attitude. Treats others with honesty and respect. Speaks positively in all customer interactions internal and external.

• Assess customer satisfaction when rounding on patients and use appropriate chain of command for unresolved issues or problems.

• Use AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank you) to:

  • Optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety and increasing the patient’s compliance
  • Develop positive relationships with other departments to foster patient satisfaction

• Use face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to intervene with patients or staff in situations where customer needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable resolution

Staff Development / Personal Growth

In conjunction with the Department Director Clinical Manager, Clinical Specialist and / or Educator:

• Function as a preceptor, seeking learning opportunities for orientee/student. Interact with department manager, clinical educator/instructor, to evaluate orientee/student progress toward goals, identifying additional needs.

• Demonstrates initiative and responsibility to develop personal, leadership and professional goals

• Demonstrate professional development by attending conferences, participating in committees/unit projects and ongoing educational activities

• Demonstrate professional growth by maintaining awareness of changes in nursing practice/evidenced based nursing care

• Accept feedback as opportunity for growth

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and procedures, practices, changes in practice, and initiatives. Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital education, discussion with departmental leadership and peers.

Performance Improvement

• Identify processes to be improved and communicate to management team. Assists in data collection as directed

• Participates on at least one team, project and/or committee: unit, departmental or hospital based

• Develop and maintain awareness of DNV, CMS (Centers for Medicare Services) and other required quality and safety measures

• Develop and maintain ongoing understanding of Nursing best practices for the types of patients for whom care is provided

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCY

Dependent upon department and the population served:

Neonatal (Birth thru 28 days)

• Handles infants in gentle manner
• Speaks in soothing voice
• Holds and cuddles infant when necessary
• Facilitates parental interaction and care of infant

Infant (29 days thru 12 months)

• Approaches infant in slow, non-threatening way
• Speaks in soothing way
• Holds and cuddles infant as much as possible
• Encourages parental interaction with infant
• Allows for familiar toys/blankets to be brought from home

Pediatrics (one year thru 11 years)

• Allows choices when possible

• Speaks directly using few, clear, simple terms and explanations

• Limits number of strangers entering room

• Provides consistent nursing assignments

• Does not shame parents for lack of cooperation

• Holds child for painful procedures

Adolescents (12 years thru 18 years)

• Allows participation in care and choices as appropriate
• Provides for patient's modesty
• Tells patient exactly what will be expected
• Allows patient control
• Speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

• Identifies physical/social/emotional barriers and physical limitations at discharge
• Teaches patient about one item at a time
• Repeats instructions several times
• Speaks slowly and distinctly when talking to the patient

Float Registered Nurse- Float A (Inpatient and Peds Unit), Float B (Inpatient, Peds, and ED Units), Float C (Inpatient, Peds, ED and ICU Units).

MAIN FUNCTION:

Float staff will be assigned to one unit director for performance evaluation, but will also be responsible to management team where they are assigned each shift. Float staff may be pulled to different units during any given shift, depending where the staffing needs must be met. Float staff may be assigned to any area when needed and will take assignments within the scope of their skills and experience. Float nurses will be expected to take pediatric patients. In the ED, float nurses will be expected to provide care of patients from various types of illness or trauma requiring emergency attention and must be able to recognize and effectively treat life threatening conditions. In ICU, float nurses will be expected to manage critical care patients within the scope of the unit. Float staff will be expected to maintain competency in main assigned departments for their float group. Float staff will be expected to attend some of the assigned department staff meetings and/or read the meeting minutes.

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• ACLS within 1 year of hire, and maintain while in position
• PALS within 1 year of hire, and maintain while in position
• Complete NIH Stroke Certification with 6 months and maintain while in position
• Ability to read and operate cardiac monitor, recognize normal/abnormal rhythms, and institute appropriate interventions

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES

• ED/Critical care experience/telemetry experience.
• IV therapy/Phlebotomy experience
• One year current hospital nursing as RN

Emergency Dept Staff RN

MAIN FUNCTION:

Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents the care of emergently ill medical and surgical patients of all ages. Assists with special procedures. Prioritizes the care of critically ill and less acutely ill patients. Directs the care delivered by others in the ED.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse)

• TNCC ( completion of Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum)

• Current general nursing, emergency or critical care experience. Completion of emergency or critical care course.

• Minimum of 1 year current experience in hospital or clinical setting as an RN

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• ACLS within 1 year of hire, and maintain while in position
• PALS within 1 year of completion of orientation and maintain while in position
• Complete NIH Stroke Certification with 6 months and maintain while in position

Additional Position Expectations

• Demonstrates competence in patient triage using the established method, within 6 months

• Demonstrates knowledge and use of Vasoactive medications

• Ability to read and operate cardiac monitor , recognize normal/abnormal rhythms , and institute appropriate interventions

• Quickly identifies signs and symptoms of Stroke and Acute Myocardial Infarction and follows appropriate protocols, policies and procedures to ensure goal times are met

• Answers the EMS line, obtains squad report and appropriately communicates the report to the Charge RN and ED Physician

• Demonstrates skills to assess and intervene in life-threatening situations

• Attends in house codes, RRT and Stroke calls as required

Inpatient Rehab RN

MAIN FUNCTION:

Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents care of the Rehabilitation patients. Uses the Functional Instrument of Measure to develop goals for improving functional status.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Recognition of positive interactions with patients and customers
• Willingness to assist with community education
• 1 year experience in acute rehab or acceptable related training and experience

Other Position Expectations:

• Maintains competency in functional independence measures scoring (FIM)
• Supports and documents worker's comp care
• Demonstrates working knowledge of equipment, hazmat, micromedix
• Performs highly specialized assessments/reassessments and documentation relevant to patient's condition, needs (including pain control, and age in a policy-specified time frame

Intensive Care Registered Nurse

MAIN FUNCTION:

Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents the age appropriate and evidence-based care of acutely and critically ill medical, cardiac and surgical adolescent/adult patients. Provides acute stroke care per protocols of the WCH designated stroke unit. Assists with special and invasive bedside procedures. Directs the care delivered by others in the department. Collaborates with Physicians to evaluate patient readiness for transfer out of critical care environment. Accepts med surg and telemetry overflow patients as necessary. Communicates effectively with the intraprofessional team and families.

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• ACLS within 1 year of hire, and maintain while in position
• 1 year current hospital nursing; New graduates only with completion of critical care preceptorship or current Nurse tech position
• Complete NIH Stroke Certification with 6 months and maintain while in position
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse community

Other Position Expectations

• Ability to interpret and operate cardiac and other invasive and noninvasive monitors, recognize normal/abnormal rhythms /trends, and institute appropriate interventions.

• Performs ECGs

• Performs phlebotomy and collects blood for testing and blood culture analysis

• Responds to in house codes, RRTs, STEMIs and Stroke alerts as required

• Maintain competency in:

  • Caring for patients with complex needs including hemodynamically compromised, acute stroke and mechanically ventilated patients
  • Initiating and maintain complex IV therapy , including thrombolytic administration, vasoactive medications, central IV catheters, dialysis catheters & arterial lines
  • Safe use of less invasive, life supporting modalities i.e BiPAP, ETCO2, core temperature monitors, IABP
  • Prevention and management of complications associated with critical illness, e.g. CAUTI, CLABSI, VAE, VAC
  • End of life care decisions, management and terminal extubation
  • Creating and maintaining a healing and humane environment for patients and families
  • Identifying and supporting CPI (continuous process improvement) activities in the ICU and hospital
  • Engagement with coworkers, unit leadership and key hospital leaders

Med Surg Registered Nurse

MAIN FUNCTION:

Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents the care of medical/surgical, oncology and orthopedic adolescent/adult patients. Assists with special procedures. Directs the care delivered by others in the department.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Oncology/orthopedic experience
• Ability to read and operate cardiac monitor, recognize normal/abnormal rhythms, and institute appropriate interventions

Patient Flow Facilitator (Registered Nurse)

MAIN FUNCTION:

Provides nursing care to patients in an efficient, professional, compassionate and caring manner. Facilitates patient flow throughout the organization by reporting to the area of need and performing admission assessments/requirements, medication reconciliation, discharge instructions, and other necessary activities under the discretion of the Nursing Supervisor, the unit Managers, and or charge nurses. The scheduled working hours are Monday through Friday from 1400 – 2030 (may be subject to STHR). Frequently Directs the activities of paraprofessional as they provide care. Responsible for assuring effective communication with patients, support persons and members of the healthcare team. Responsible for implementing nursing care of assigned patients via the Nursing Process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation.Acts in compliance with hospital, Nursing Department policies/procedures and the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Ohio. Follows WCH Nursing Philosophy and practice model which are derived from the Synergy model and appropriate Service Standards as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Med Surg Director , House Supervisor

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• Licensed in Ohio
• Maintain a current AHA (American Heart Association) Healthcare Provider BLS card while in this position.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• BSN
• Clinical Certification

Pediatrics Registered Nurse

MAIN FUNCTION:

Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents the care of medical/surgical pediatric, adolescent and adult patients. Assists with special procedures. Directs the care delivered by others in the department.

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• 1 year current clinical hospital experience
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) within 6 months of hire

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

Pediatric experience

Progressive Care Registered Nurse

MAIN FUNCTION:

Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents the care of medical and surgical adolescent/adult patients with a cardiac focus. Assists with special procedures. Directs the care delivered by others in the department. Designated stroke unit. Accepts med surg overflow patients as necessary. Recovers cardiac cath/special procedure patients. Provides care for patients on intravenous vasoactive medications (step down patients).

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• Cross train and maintain competency to Step-down Nursing within 1 year
• ACLS within 1 year of hire, and maintain while in position
• Complete NIH stroke certification within 6 months and maintain while in position

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

Ability to read and operate cardiac monitor, recognize normal/abnormal rhythms, and institute appropriate interventions.

Other Position Expectations

Demonstrates ability to care for step-down patients, including vasoactive medications, within 1 year of completion of orientation.

36 hrs per week/7p-7a
36 hrs per week/7p-7a