Job Summary: Provides direct and indirect patient care in the emergency care setting. Provides care that reflects initiative, flexibility and responsibility indicative of professional expectation with a minimum of supervision. Is able to triage safely, rapidly and accurately, every patient that enters the emergency care system. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system. Communicates with Emergency Department physicians about changes in patient's status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.    

Provides direct and indirect patient care. Communicates with physicians/Nurse Manager/co-workers, as appropriate about changes in patient’s clinical condition including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. Additionally, is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision.

Demonstrates    Competency in the Following Areas:

 Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes,    consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care    processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.

 Uses triage process to ensure timely    and appropriate care to patients. Accurately assigns triage categories.

 Ability to monitor hemodynamic    status of patient and correctly interpret the results.

Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac   monitoring, identifies dysrhythmias and treats appropriately.

Prepares, hangs, monitors and   discontinues IV fluids.

Maintains accurate and continued   nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments,   responses and assessment of changes.

Ensures an adequate stock of supplies   and proper functioning of equipment.

Assists in cost containment through   appropriate ordering and conserving of supplies and equipment. 

Ability   to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per   policy. This includes: pediatric,   geriatric and the general patient population.

 Ability   to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding   pain management.

Ability   to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment   and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.

Ability   to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory’s   and the resident care unit’s policies and procedures.

Ability   to interpret results of waived tests; take appropriate action on waived tests   results.

Performs   patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of   care for patient’s age.

Knowledge   of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient   and their clinical condition.

Follows   the seven (7) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication   errors.

Formulates   a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates   effectiveness of learning, family is included in teaching as appropriate.

Demonstrates   an ability to assist physicians with procedures and performs services   requiring technical and manual skills.

Demonstrates   ability to perform treatments and provide services to level licensure.

Treats   patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial,   cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their   families. Functions as liaison between   administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.

Interacts   professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the   formation of the plan of care.

Demonstrates   knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and   the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient   population served. Able to interpret   data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific   needs and provide care needed by the patient group.

Performs   all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety   and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

Supports   and maintains a culture of safety and quality.

Consults   other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach   to the patient’s needs.

Communicates   appropriately and clearly to Nurse Manager, co-workers and physicians.

Maintains   a good working relationship both within the department and with other   departments.

Identifies   and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with   Social Service/Discharge Planner regarding both in hospital and post   discharge needs.

Documentation   meets current standards and policies.

Manages   and operates equipment safely and correctly.

Coordinates   and supervises patient care as necessary.

Demonstrates an ability to be flexible,   organized and function under stressful situations.

Professional   Requirements:

Adheres   to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.

Completes   annual education requirements.

Maintains   regulatory requirements, including all federal, state, local regulations and   accrediting organization standards.

Maintains   and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.

Reports   to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.

Wears   identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.

Completes  inservices and returns in a timely fashion.

Attends   annual review and department inservices, as scheduled.

Attends   12 staff meetings annually, or reads and returns monthly staff meeting   minutes.

Represents   the organization in a positive and professional manner.

Actively   participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement   (CQI) activities.

Complies   with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practice

Communicates   the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement   of the department.

Regulatory Requirements:

· Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

· Current state Registered Nurse Licensure, within state of practice.

· Current BLS certification.

·  Current ACLS Certification, prior to completion of department orientation.

· Current TNCC Certification, within one (1) year of hire.

· Current PALS Certification, within one (1) year of hire.

Language Skills:

· Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

· Additional languages preferred.

Skills:

· Basic computer knowledge.

Physical Demands:

· Mobility, sight, hearing, verbal communication, changes in temperature, exposure to disagreeable elements, exposure to biological, mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards. Frequent standing and walking. Lift up to 100 pounds. Carrying up to 40 pounds. Pushing/pulling up to 450 pounds.

· This position is a safety sensitive position pursuant to Amendment 98 to the Arkansas Constitution § 2(25). A safety sensitive position means any position in which a person performing the position while under the influence of marijuana may constitute a threat to health or safety. This position is therefore “safety sensitive” due to the fact it requires the following: performing life-threatening procedures; working with hazardous or flammable materials, controlled substances, food, or medicine; and a lapse of attention while working in this position could result in injury, illness, or death.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.