PRN Hospital RN ER/ACU/LTC

*Must have ER experience. 

This is a union position. 

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES: 

• Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population.
• Uses triage process to ensure timely and appropriate care to patients. Accurately assigns triage categories.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.  Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Ability to monitor hemodynamic status of patient and correctly interpret the results.
• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring identifies dysrhythmias and treats appropriately.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory’s and the patient care unit’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret the results of waived tests; takes appropriate action on waived test results.
• Maintains current knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition.
• Follows the seven (7) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Prepares, hangs, monitors and discontinues IV fluids.
• Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses and assessment of changes.
• 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.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family.  Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patients 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.
• Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Perform related duties as assigned by management.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Meets dress code standards for the department; appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes all mandatory education within given timeframe. 
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wears identification while on duty; uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner in the community.
• Attends annual review and department in-services as scheduled.
• Attends at least 75% of staff meetings; reviews all monthly staff meeting minutes.
• Actively checks and responds to emails. 
• Actively participates in the department’s quality improvement (QI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies, and employee handbook. 
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, vision and values of the organization as well as the focus of the department.