Surgical nurse [h1.location_city]

MS RN Needed for Medical Surgical / Orthopedics Department : Shift : 3 / 12s - 0700 - 1930 Certification Requirements : BLS Weekend Requirements : every other week Any On Call? No Floating : May float to other units within scope of practice Depending on need / census, may float to Hawthorne or Herrick Campus The expectation is for all travel nurses to be flexible with floating to different campuses or within the hospital. Travelers can anticipate a notice of 1.5hrs prior to shift start time in most cases. There is a shuttle provided if floating is requested. Job Duties : "Applying the principles of the nursing process and working within the policies / procedures of the Patient Care Services Department and the Medical Center, the staff nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who, as the patient's primary nurse, is responsible and accountable for :

• The overall management of the nursing care provided, assuring competent, compassionate and cost-effective patient care from admission to discharge;
• Assuring the safety, comfort, personal hygiene and protection of patients and performing disease prevention and restorative measures;
• Responding to medical and environmental emergencies" JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES :
• Provides competent, compassionate and cost effective patient care in accordance with unit, department, hospital policies, scientific principles, sound nursing practice / process, nursing objectives and standards of care : o Plans / coordinates delivery of care to maximize efficient care delivery ensuring the safety, comfort, personal hygiene and protection of patients and maintaining a safe environment o Sets priorities for and provides patient care in routine and complex situations o Serves as liaison between nursing and medical staff to facilitate collaborative approach to patient care o Coordinates involvement of patient, physician, family and other health team members to manage patient care, hospital resources and services to achieve optimal level of patient care o Sets priorities, initiates and directs emergency interventions in a calm, efficient and competent manner
• Exercises clinical judgment and critical thinking in all aspects of the nursing process and unit activities; develops creative solutions to problems : o Administers treatments, medications and performs nursing skills in a timely manner o Maintains current knowledge of patient care status and monitors patient's perception of care through clinical rounds o Assures physicians are informed of significant changes in patient's condition o Analyzes, inputs and integrates the patient acuity levels in accurate and timely manner o Demonstrates knowledge and ability to effectively interact with patient population served Assessment
• Conducts initial and ongoing assessment of the patient / family including consideration of biophysical, psychosocial, spiritual, environmental, self-care, educational and discharge planning factors : o Completes nursing assessment (coordinates completion of other required screening assessments) within 24 hours of admission o Ensures nursing process is carried out on an individualized goal-directed basis to meet all patient needs including patient assessment (including pain, age-appropriate factors), patient care plans, patient / family education, discharge planning, disease prevention and restorative measures o Observes patient's physical condition and behavior, interprets information and ensures patient's acuity levels are identified / documented o Identifies, observes and monitors patients at risk for untoward events and implements precautions / activities to reduce the risk and avoid events
• Evaluates / re-evaluates, through observation and communication, the effectiveness of plan of care o Modifies the plan, as appropriate, in collaboration with patient / family, physician and other disciplines Planing
• Develops the patient's plan of care as it relates to biophysical, psychosocial, environmental , self-care, educational and discharge needs in collaboration with patient and family, physician and other disciplines : o Develops / implements plan of care and timely interventions based on patient / family interview, observation, chart review and consultation with other health team members o Documents / communicates patient assessment, plan of care, outcomes and other pertinent information with other health team members
• Evaluates / re-evaluates, through observation and communication, the effectiveness / outcomes of the patient's care plan in collaboration with patient / family, physician and other disciplines : o Modifies plan, communicates and initiates follow-up activities as appropriate Education / Teaching
• Develops, implements, documents formal teaching and discharge planning that includes the patient / family / significant other in care for identified health needs
• Explains treatments / activities to patient / family / significant other
• Communicates with patient and family in a clear, open end collaborative manner showing care and concer Delegation / coordination / supervision of team
• Delegates tasks appropriately / effectively to team members based on legal scopes of practice, licensure, educational preparation, appropriate guidelines and individual capability : o Clarifies role responsibilities and expectations; provides clinical performance coaching and counseling as needed o Directs, oversees and evaluates the care delegated to other patient care team members
• Coordinates, facilitates / fosters communication among departments to ensure smooth, efficient coordination of patient care : o Facilitates conflict resolution and follow-up with patients, families, physicians, team members and other disciplines o Collaborates with physicians and other disciplines to manage patient care, hospital resources and services o Functions as a team member and assumes delegated responsibilities that contribute to team, unit, department and hospital objectives
• Supervises and clinically directs the work of other care partners including job orientation / training, assignments : o Provides clinical input to management as needed o Participates in clinical staff performance evaluations o Assists with department orientation and continuing education of staff Patient Advocacy
• Serves as patient advocate to ensure physical, psychological, psychosocial and spiritual needs of the patient and family are met
• Conducts multi disciplinary rounds and care conferences
• Initiates actions to improve health care or changes decisions / activities which are against the patient's wishes Role Model
• Acts as role model and clinical resource to students, staff
• Provides orientation / mentoring to new employees, students and temporary agency / registry personnel Professional development
• Identifies own performance goals and takes action to meet these goals
• Provides input related to staff development programs based upon identified learning needs, changes in nursing departmental practices and regulatory / accreditation requirements
• Actively participates in and / or chairs professional committees Other Functions & Duties
• Assesses and supports the development of unit / team goals and other professional issues; lends and / or actively participates in team staff meetings
• Participates in the development and implementation of policies and practices, standardized procedures, protocols relevant to the department and Medical Center's needs
• Contributes to and actively participates in the quality assurance and quality improvement processes per JCAHO and / or regulatory agencies
• Actively participates in and / or chairs professional committees
• All other duties as needed or assigned SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE : Demonstrates working knowledge of patient care techniques, medications, treatments and general health care procedures Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work in fast-paced environment with changing priorities. Ability to :
• provide basic patient care to a diverse patient population
• read / interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations
• write legibly and effectively present ideas, document activities
• demonstrate leadership abilities
• deal with problems involving several variables in situations where only limited standardization exists