- 13 week contract.
- BLS & Advanced NRP Required.
- Performs an age specific plan of care for a designated group of patients using the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care.
- Collaborates with physicians and other health team members in coordinating and implementing procedures and treatments.
- Uses leadership skills/clinical judgment in coordinating patient care and directing/delegating activities of the patient care unit team.
Responsibilities
- 1. Assesses the patient’s physiologic health status
- Conducts patient interview, explains policies and procedures to patient/significant others, reviews patient’s chart and answers questions correctly and courteously;
- Assesses gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and neurological health status;
- Determines mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition and adjusts plan of care, as appropriate;
- Assesses level of pain and pain management;
- Communicates/documents patient’s physiologic health status and plan of care.
- 2. Assesses patient’s psychosocial health status
- Elicits perception of medical/nursing care and the expectation of care;
- Determines coping mechanism, knowledge level, and ability to comprehend;
- Identifies cultural/ethnic requirements to reduce anxiety and ensure patient satisfaction;
- Communicates and documents psychological status and care plan; support group, counseling services, social services.
- 3. Identifies patient outcome
- Develops criteria for measurement of patient outcomes;
- Identifies actual/potential patient problems;
- Identifies patient’s need for teaching based on psychosocial and developmental assessment;
- Develops patient outcome statement (s) and establishes individualized patient goals.
- 4. Formulates the plan of care and establishes the priorities necessary to achieve expected outcome
- Identifies care activities and establishes the priorities necessary to achieve expected outcome;
- Coordinates the cost-effective use of supplies, equipment and medication to achieve expected outcome;
- Documents the plan of care and collaborates with physicians and other health team members.
- 5. Implements the plan of care
- Maintains constant vigilance over patients care to ensure that safety precautions/needs are followed. (Side rails up, call lights and bedside stand within reach, etc.);
- Exercises professional skills related to the plan of care;
- Reassesses patients as needed and appropriately revises plan of care;
- Correctly administers prescribed treatments;
- Correctly uses equipment necessary for patient care;
- Provides emotional support to patient and significant other;
- Applies scientific principles in performing procedures; carries them out safely, timely and efficiently;
- Makes accurate observations of patient’s conditions during treatments/procedures. Reports and records same as appropriate;
- Keeps accurate documentation of patient’s treatment, activity and condition, as well as patient’s responses to medical and nursing interventions;
- Uses appropriate methods of documentation according to departmental policy;
- Acts rapidly and effectively during any emergency situation, managing self, patients and other employees;
- Provides a calm, quiet, restful atmosphere. Communicates effectively with the patient’s family or caretakers;
- Participates in planning for discharge and coordinates referrals, as appropriate;
- Provides discharge instructions to patient and significant other.
- 6. Evaluates care provided for patient outcome
- Demonstrates ability to measure effectiveness of care provided and documents same;
- Performs variance analysis related to outcome data for performance improvement;
- Designs, implements, and evaluates systems to improve care in Unit;
- Keeps accurate documentation of patient’s treatment, activity and condition;
- Uses appropriate methods of documentation according to departmental policy.
- 7. Collaborates with other care team members in planning and carrying out treatment regimen; provides direction to other members of the care team
- Collaborates with the appropriate physician on patient’s plan of care;
- Accurately interprets and implements treatment regimen as prescribed by the Physician;
- Assists the Physician during treatments and/or diagnostic procedures;
- Keeps the Patient Care Manager/designee and/or physician, abreast of changes in patient’s condition and/or treatments, as appropriate;
- Uses clinical judgment in delegating assignments to the Patient Care Associate, Support Care Associate and Clerical Service Associate in providing patient care, and ensures that assignments are completed in a timely fashion.
- 8. Performs grade I-IV Decubitus Care
- Performs preventive skin care measures
- Applies simple dressings, maintaining principles of aseptic technique;
- Applies warm & cold compresses, consistent with facility procedure;
- Performs irrigations, consistent with Facility procedure;
- Performs other procedures related to skin care, as necessary.
- 9. Administers medications correctly and safely
- Correctly identifies medication: action; dosage; side effects and implications for the patient;
- Meets standard on medication administration examination;
- Demonstrates preparation of local solutions;
- Demonstrates preparation of I.V. drips;
- Administers and documents medication correctly;
- Administers IVP medication as per department policy and procedure;
- Educates patients and significant others related to drug and food interactions.
- 10. Participates in patient and family education
- Provides the patient with an explanation of his/her condition as indicated;
- Communicates assessment data in an orderly fashion by recording, updating and verbalizing pertinent information to care team members and to appropriate agencies;
- Recognizes and utilizes health teaching opportunities and resources /materials available for this teaching;
- Provides for early discharge planning and appropriate referrals for post-hospital care;
- Evaluates the effectiveness of teaching by feedback from patient/family and documents same.
11. Performs related duties, as required.
Qualifications
- Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing. Associate’s Degree in Nursing, required. Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, preferred.
- Minimum 1-2 years of professional nursing experience in the related specialty.
- Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State and/or Connecticut, required.
- BLS required, plus specialized certifications as needed.
*Additional Salary Detail The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member's base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).
