Senior Registered Nurse - Neuroscience Acute Care

Schedule: Full Time, Day Shift

Primary Purpose

• The RN is a licensed professional who uses the Parkland nursing professional practice model to coordinate patient care delivery by the health care team. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses the patient, identifies nursing diagnoses based on responses to health problems, develops and implements an individualized plan of care, and evaluates the patient's response. The RN utilizes knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to assist patients to transition through the healthcare encounter without any preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions to health care personnel based on the Texas Nursing Practice Act, each patient's condition and the competencies of the employee.

Minimum Specifications

Education

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
  

Experience

• Must have two years of nursing experience.
• Prefer experience in an acute care setting.
  

Equivalent Education and/or Experience

• None
  

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Must have current, valid RN license or temporary RN license from the Texas Board of Nursing, or valid Compact RN license.
• Must have current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from one of the following:
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Military Training Network
    

Skills or Special Abilities

• Provides care to assigned patient population in accordance with the current State of Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plan of care, and clinical area specific standards.
• Provides continuous assessment, consults with other team members as required and provides nursing care which demonstrates patient centered/patient valued care.
• Exercises independent judgment in providing nursing care.
• Must be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and possess good oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• May be required to communicate effectively, via the overhead paging system.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide direction to non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and serve on rotation as a Charge Nurse.
• Must be able to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.
• As applicable, will be required to demonstrate acceptable knowledge of nursing standards of care for specialty care area.
  

Responsibilities

• Serves as a patient advocate, by focusing on patient needs, patient rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences. Maintains positive working relationships with all Parkland internal and external customers, employees, etc. Serves as a resource for patients and other healthcare team members. Provides patient care educational information and training to patient and family members. May serve as a resource for specific clinical patient care issues. May participate in community outreach activities (such as health fairs, community collaborations or outreach clinics) as assigned.
• Maintains and implements knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact or govern nursing practice, and ensures the hospital and Parkland are in compliance.
• Develops effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal
  laws and the program requirements of accreditation agencies and federal, state, and private health plans. Maintains and updates knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, appropriate utilization of supplies and materials.
• Completes appropriate patient assessments, admission criteria, identification and implementation of appropriate clinical interventions, discharge planning, interdisciplinary communication. Utilizes critical thinking skills and recognizes emergency situations and provides appropriate nursing interventions. Completes appropriate documentation by maintaining accurate and timely entries and notations in patient care records and hospital documents. Ensures that all records and documents meet the standards, goals, and objectives of the assigned Med/Surg department and Parkland.
• Seeks and utilizes direction from more experienced staff and team members as needed. May work with other staff in providing direction to non-nursing staff. Participates in information exchanges with nursing and other Parkland staff that support the standards, missions, goals, and objectives of the assigned Med/Surg department and Parkland.
• Identifies ways to improve work process and improve patient and customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the assigned Med/Surg department and Parkland.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements and trends in nursing practice by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals and actively participating in professional organizations. Maintains State of Texas Licensure as a Registered Nurse, plus any additional required licensures/certifications. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Serves as a preceptor or trainer to newer nursing staff members and/or serve as a Charge Nurse on rotation as necessary.