RN ~ Beh Med Womens Unit ~ St. Joseph Medical Center~ Job in Houston 77001, Texas US
RN ~ Beh Med Womens Unit~ St. Joseph Medical Center
Day Night Shifts, Full Time, Part Time PRN.
JOB SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the Director/Manager, renders professional nursing care in accordance with physician's treatment plans and standards of evidence based practice/care. In doing so, assesses patient's condition, plans patient care, administers prescribed drugs, provides treatments, provides appropriate patient education, and evaluates patient's progress, records pertinent observations and report responses to drugs and treatments. Assists with examinations and prepares instruments and equipment. Advocates for patient in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Consistently supports and maintains the Mission, Core Values and expected customer service behaviors of St. Joseph Medical Center.
- Follows the guidelines related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), designed to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information
- Promotes a culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, proper reporting, documentation and prevention of medical errors in a non-punitive environment.
- Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends and developments in his/her related scope of practice by reading books, journals and other literature and attending related seminars, conferences and the like.
- Participates in ongoing quality improvement activities.
- Uses nursing process to provide all levels of patient care:
- Assesses patient's condition based upon observation, examination, and/or interview, physician's diagnosis, laboratory findings, age-related issues and other pertinent information. Completes assessment in specified time frame. Identifies and consistently recognizes changes in normal and abnormal parameters in the patient's physiological, psychological, cultural, developmental and spiritual needs.
- Implements nursing interventions to achieve progress toward expected patient outcomes or to stabilize a patient's condition and/or prevent complications.
- Evaluates and documents patients' response to nursing care and modifies or revises treatment plans, and/or contacts physicians as circumstances require. Documentation reflects evaluation of patient response to nursing actions. Participates in interdisciplinary patient care planning in order to plan and evaluate patient care.
- Provides and documents patient (family) education based on diagnosis, treatment plan or prescribed medical regimen in accordance with patient (family) readiness and ability to learn.
- Uses professional judgment and critical thinking to prepare, prioritize and execute the patient's plan of care consistent with patient assessment data and physician's treatment plans and professional standards of evidence based practice/care. Incorporates the patient's physiological, psychological, cultural, developmental and spiritual needs into the plan of care. Consistently follows patient care and facility guidelines and procedures in performance of one's duties.
- Directs and delegates support personnel in implementing patient's plan of care, provides supervision and guidance, and demonstrates methods, as necessary, to correct deviation from established standards.
- Renders professional nursing care including administering medications, starting intravenous fluids and blood products. Performs both complex and routine treatments as prescribed by physicians or as warranted by patient's condition. Is able to perform all technical skills required for unit patient population such as, but not limited to IV venipuncture, restraint application, sterile dressings, etc.
- Promotes good stewardship of hospital resources while ensuring quality patient care. Collaborates with hospital Departments in order to resolve operational problems. Implements measures to prevent exposure to infectious pathogens and communicable conditions.
- Supportive of the compliance program set forth by SJMC and demonstrated by:
- Upholds the Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance
- Adheres to and helps to enforce all compliance policies relevant to his/her area.
- Assures timely compliance education as requested by the Compliance Officer and/or through corporate initiatives.
- Sets an example to all staff in their daily activities.
- Other duties as assigned.
- See Position Description for unit specific criteria.
* Indicates Duties Not applicable to GN/RN Intern
- Assists in orienting and training new employees, Nurse Interns/new graduate nurses and vocational nurses, student nurses and contract personnel. Serves as a resource person for departmental employees in resolving patient care problems.
- May serve as Charge Nurse for shift as designated. Insures completion of patient care and functioning of unit, directs Nursing staff, facilitates movement of patients from one level of care to another,
New Graduate Nurse Considerations
Practices under the direct supervision of the nurse intern's Registered Nurse preceptor, and renders professional Nursing care, including administering medications, starting intravenous fluids and blood products. Performs both complex and routine treatments as prescribed by physicians or as warranted by patient's condition. During this transitional period the new graduate or newly licensed nurse is expected to seek and receive direction, supervision, consultation and collaboration from experienced nurses.
A graduate nurse (GN) shall not be placed in the role of charge nurse for a period of six (6) months, unless a lesser time period is mutually agreed upon by the newly licensed nurse and the supervising nurse based upon the evaluation of competency of the newly licensed RN.
Once licensed, direct supervision should be continued for a period of six months, or a lesser time period if agreed upon by the newly licensed nurse and the Unit Director.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Work Experience:
- Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing program, a valid license to practice in the State of Texas and a minimum of one year clinical nursing experience in the area of expertise applied for or a valid permit to practice as a Graduate Nurse (GN).
- Experienced nurses are defined as having the knowledge and skills commensurate with peers with similar training, and experience functioning on the unit.
- Clinical RNs with less than one-year experience in related field will require a nursing internship when changing clinical specialties.
- New graduates from an accredited School of Nursing with a valid GN permit will be considered and required to successfully complete a nursing internship.
License/Registration/ Certification
- Work requires a general level of knowledge and clinical competencies as typically acquired through the completion of the education and training requirement below; and current RN permit or licensure issued by the Board of Nurse Examiners of the State of Texas to practice professional nursing.
- RNs are supported in obtaining certification in their specialty area.
- Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider certification required.
Education Training
- Work requires a general level of knowledge and clinical competencies as typically acquired through the completion of an accredited school of nursing program resulting in an Associate Degree, Diploma or Baccalaureate degree in nursing.
Skills:
- Technical, clerical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills relevant to total patient care/area in order to safely and efficiently treat patients.
- Good verbal and written communication skills necessary in order to be clearly and easily understood by patients, families and members of the Health Care team.
- Writes/prints legibly in order to document accurately and understandably, and to provide direction to support staff and others.
- Demonstrates a pleasant, helpful and caring demeanor in order to be an effective patient advocate.
