Registered Nurse Emergency Department

POSITION SUMMARY

Provides professional nursing care based on current nursing knowledge through use of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) standards.  This includes the use of the nursing process through assessment of the patient needs, development of the plan of care to meet those needs, implementation of nursing interventions and evaluations of patient care outcomes for the neonate through geriatric age population. This position is subject to scheduled on-call assignments as needed, due to community event influence on Emergency Department patient volumes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. Completion of an accredited registered nurse program required; BSN preferred.
2. Completes sexual assault nurse examiner course within first year of hire/transfer.

Experience:

1. Previous RN experience preferred.
2. Charge qualified preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Effectively functions as a team member and as a liaison between patient and staff.
2. Supports and encourages harmonious communication skills.
3. Job requires strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
4. Communicates in highly professional manner at all times.
5. Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with ill people; uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families, and co-workers at all times.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Current Pennsylvania RN licensure.
2. Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.
3. After four months from the hire/transfer date, meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and renews ACLS every two years.
4. After six months from the hire/transfer date, meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and renews PALS every two years.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives minimal supervision from the Administrative Director, ED. Or clinical supervisor

SUPERVISION GIVEN

The Registered Nurse will only have supervision of others while serving as Charge Nurse.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Triages every patient entering the emergency care system and determine priorities of care based on physical and psycho-social needs, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system.  This also includes but is not limited to, hourly rounding, in the department and half hour rounding in the waiting room if patients are waiting, documenting in-depth nursing history to include chief complaint, health care status and other pertinent information.
2. Develops and implements a plan of care based on ongoing assessments.  The plan of care:
   1. Ensures that supplies and equipment for the care of the emergency patient are readily available and in working order.
   2. Is updated constantly to meet the needs of the patients and family or significant other based on continuous assessment and reevaluation.
   3. Contains elements of discharge planning and ongoing discussion with family and patient.
3. Manages all types of complications and emergencies per Mount Nittany Medical Center policies and procedures and ENA standards.
   1. Recognizes change in patient health status and directs appropriate care to provide for patient safety.
   2. Documents and acts on patient responses to interventions to facilitate competent medical care.
4. Implements health education of the Emergency Department patient and family or significant other.
   1. Educates patient and family on treatment prior to initiation.
   2. Assists patient/family with accurate information on health status and referral.
   3. Documents understanding of discharge teaching information given to patient/family.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.