Registered Nurse Per Diem Days 7a-7p Rapid Treatment Unit Newton Medical Center

Job Function: 01 

Responsible for implementing the Nursing Process based on established Standards of Practice and ensuring all patient care policies and procedures are adhered to in accordance with Newton Medical Center policies, the Nurse Practice Act and the New Jersey State Licensure requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Function: 02 

PERFORMS PATIENT ASSESSMENT Collects health history data from patient/family/significant other, and from previous medical records, while interacting with patient based on adolescent, adult or geriatric principles of communication. Completes admission assessment within the acceptable time frame. Notifies consults when admitting criteria has been identified. Completes Braden scale appropriately. Continually reassesses the developmental biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational, and discharge needs of patients. DEVELOPS PATIENT PLAN OF CARE Creates individualized age appropriate plan of care by involving patient family significant other, reflecting the need for safety, education, and a healing atmosphere. Updates and revises the plan of care as needed and as patient status changes, in consultation with patient, family and caregiver. Develops realistic outcomes/resolutions based on developmental stage in life, integrating into practice the physiological changes and psychological needs related to the elderly (i. E., skin integrity, safety, depression). Recognizes and documents interventions needed to obtain outcomes/resolutions. IMPLEMENTS AND EVALUATES PATIENT PLAN OF CARE Continually reevaluates patients’ needs accurately, initiating appropriate nursing actions to address needs. Delegates responsibilities for care, when applicable, and makes assignments according to skill level of care giver. Performs patient care activities based on priorities of care. Integrates, delegates and coordinates patient care using an interdisciplinary approach.

Job Function: 03 

DOCUMENTS PATIENT DATA Documentation reflects the patient’s response to nursing interventions, medications, treatments and education while corresponding to age appropriate expectations. Documentation is legible, timely, accurate and in accordance with policy and procedure. Complies with Department of Health and other regulatory agency requirements. Updates bed boards and communication of bedsides needs. PROVIDES FOR PATIENT EDUCATION Assesses patients/family’s/significant others comprehension, skill level and barriers to learning. Initiates and coordinates patient/family/significant other teaching utilizing age appropriate instructions and teaching tools to reinforce areas of knowledge deficit. Provides teaching bag to each patient, reviewing its contents upon unit admission. Documents all teaching performed to both patients/families on interdisciplinary teaching record. PROVIDES FOR COORDINATION OF EFFECTIVE DISCHARGE PLANNING Discharge plan is initiated at the time of admission and implemented throughout the hospital length of stay. Participates in interdisciplinary patient care meetings. Develops, initiates, and participates in the process of patient education, discharge instructions, and preparation of patient/family/significant other for discharge. Continues education and reinforcement of patient discharge plan with all involved. Accomplishes a timely, comfortable, and safe discharge. Participates in the patient call back process post discharge.

Job Function: 04

MAINTAINS TECHNICAL COMPETENCY IN I.V. THERAPY Establishes and maintains rapport with patient utilizing age appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication. Assesses and maintains I.V. S according to policy and procedure. (Follow up check list is completed during orientation.) Administers I.V. drugs, blood and blood products according to policy, taking into account the biophysical changes associated with aging. Monitors patient for signs and symptoms of blood transfusion reaction. Initiates corrective action and documents same. Is knowledgeable of reasons for use of a blood warmer and can safely demonstrate its operation. MAINTAINS TECHNICAL COMPETENCY IN MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION Consistently administers the correct drug/dose/route to the properly identified patient in a timely manner. Ensures that all medication orders are co-signed on medication administration record (MAR), verifying accuracy of transcription, prior to administering first dose. Consistently documents medication administration according to procedure. Is aware of potential patient responses to medication based on patients’ condition, age, and history; docume