Registered Nurse - RN

RN

Position Description

1. Performs nursing procedures to treat and rehabilitate patients within the scope of experience and training.
2. Supervises and motivates and educates staff when in a supervisory capacity.
3. Receives and provides adequate report on all patients.
4. Follow Plan of Care.
5. Assesses, plans and implements patient care.
6. Complete all documentation in patient charts according to facility policies.
7. Provides physical comfort and attention to the emotional, physical and safety needs of patients.
8. Observes and documents in patient chart all information pertinent to the patient, including any unusual changes and reactions and reports to supervisors.
9. Teach and educate all concerned proper health care maintenance according to physician orders.
10. Accepts accountability for all actions while on duty.
11. Maintains competency through continuing education.
12. Performs all nursing procedures for which trained and prepared.
13. Admits and discharges patients as directed.
14. Receives and transcribes physician orders.
15. Assists with physical examinations, makes rounds of assigned patients following the guidelines of the facility in which placed on assignment.
16. Respects patient rights and maintains patient confidentiality.
17. Safeguards equipment and supplies.
18. Comply with all reasonable requests as directed by facility personnel.
19. Performs specific duties for which the R.N. is responsible including but not limited to:

• Administers oxygen.
• Changes dressings.
• Inserts and irrigates urinary catheters.
• Properly administers timely and records medications given.
• Carries out prescribed treatments.
• Discontinues or hangs additional intravenous bottles and piggybacks.
• Administers and draws blood.
• Cares for tracheotomy and suctioning endotracheally.
• Obtains specimens.
• Supervises nursing staff as requested by the Supervisor as required by law.
• Provides for patient nutritional needs.
• Makes patients as comfortable as possible.
• Administers CPR and other emergency procedures as necessary and as ordered by physician

The following tasks are also considered essential functions of the position:

• Lifting unspecified amounts of weight using proper body mechanics.
• Bending and stooping to prepare equipment and materials for treating patients or managing the patient/residents environment.
• Transferring, turning, positioning and assisting patients with ambulating or moving from place to place.

Specific Areas of Skill undertaken:

1. Intensive Care.
2. Acute Care
3. Coronary Care.
4. Intermediate Care.
5. Neo-natal Intensive Care.
6. Recovery Room.
7. Emergency Room/Department.
8. Psychiatric and or Detoxification.
10. Labor & Delivery.
11. Operating Room.
12. Pediatrics.
13. Long Term Care.

Physical Environment

Exposure to all resident elements, including exposure to blood and body fluids and other unpleasant elements. At times, long and irregular hours are necessary. Exposure to hazardous substances is, at times, unavoidable. Frequent multiple tasks and resident needs will be assigned in a rapid fashion.

Physical Requirements

Work involves standing and/or walking over 70% of the time. There is moderate physical effort in positioning, pushing, pulling, overhead reaching, and lifting up to 50lbs. Moving and or repositioning residents of various weights and body shapes, with or without assistance. Vision and hearing acuteness is required always. Repeated bending, squatting, kneeling and stooping is necessary. The incumbent is subject to frustration and fatigue. Manual dexterity to perform all aspects of care in the administration of personal care and other therapies as prescribed for residents.

Occupational Risks

Occupational injuries may occur from not following safety policies and procedures regarding exposure to hazardous materials including blood and body fluids and potential injuries from sharp objects, violent individuals, and physical environment. Working with cleaning chemicals and other medicinal/pharmaceutical preparations which may require personal protective equipment. 

Evaluation

When working in a facility, the Registered Nurse is under the direct supervision of the charge nurse of a specific unit or floor and the Director of Nursing.

Supervision and Expectations

The agency receives input from facility personnel on performance of duties while assigned and will be evaluated annually.  Arrives to assignment on time, completes assignment accurately, documents accurately, punch/in out as required, participates in report and communicates all necessary information prior to leaving the facility.