Med Surg Staff Nurse

Full Time Reduced .90FTE 7A-7P

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the general supervision of the department nurse leader, prescribes, provides, delegates, evaluates and coordinates comprehensive professional nursing care to a designated group of patients, and provides leadership by working cooperatively with ancillary and other health care team members in maintaining standards for professional nursing practice in the clinical setting.  Oversees non-professional nursing personnel in the provision of nursing care.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

• Maintains the standards of nursing care and implements the standards, policies, and procedures of the Medical Center, Nursing Services, and Chapter Six of the Code of Iowa.

• Performs assessment/data collection in an ongoing and systematic manner, focusing on environmental, self-care, education and discharge planning factors.

• Formulates an individualized, goal-directed and age-appropriate plan of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team which includes patient outcomes related to the patient’s identified mental, physical, psycho-social and cultural needs.

• Implements care in a knowledgeable, skillful, consistent and continuous manner by utilization of pre-determined standards and evidenced-based practices that define the structure, process and desired patient outcomes.

• Evaluates the effectiveness of the care given by the interdisciplinary care team.

• Assigns nursing care team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the staff’s capabilities and qualifications. Identifies patient/significant other’s learning needs and implements appropriate measures. Administers medications and evaluates their effectiveness.

• Performs efficiently in emergency situations following established protocols.

• Participates in orientation of new personnel.

• Participates in development and attainment of unit and Nursing Services goals.

• Participates in development of generic and unit-specific standards.

• Participates in development and implementation of performance improvement activities. Participates in unit meetings and conferences for the betterment of patient care.

• Communicates effectively, practices effective problem identification and resolution skills and uses lines of authority appropriately.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Promotes nursing practices and patient care that is effective in terms of quality and cost, and results in patient and family satisfaction.

• Supports the values and philosophy of BMC Nursing Services as well as the mission, vision and values and behaviors of service excellence standards of BMC.

• Compliant with HIPAA/confidentiality standards at all times.

• Demonstrates commitment to own professional growth and competence.

• Completes and maintains unit specific training and competency monitors (with passing scores) in unit-defined time frames in order to maintain employment. 

• Completes all annual hospital-wide mandatory training within defined timeframe (i.e. safety, corporate compliance, confidentiality).

• Documents in a timely, accurate and concise manner.

• Demonstrates competence in specified computer applications.

• Demonstrates ability to document in EMR.

• Demonstrates consistently a team approach to care.

• Demonstrates effective communication strategies.

• Adheres to all policies and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current RN license recognized by the State of Iowa Board of Nursing.

• Successful demonstration of competence in Basic Life Support (Health Care Provider) prior to independent patient care.

• Capable and competent in computer data entry and general program navigation.