SUMMARY This position is expected to assess patients' nursing care needs, evaluate effectiveness of care provided, and integrate nursing theory into clinical practice in the Emergency Services Department. The position must be able to apply nursing theory to assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate safe patient care and continue to analyze ongoing assessment data to determine safe patient outcomes. This position requires State Licensure as Registered Nurse (RN) who will collaborate and integrate information from patient and family working with multi-disciplinary team members. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability to be successful.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

(include but are not limited to the following)

• Collaboratively coordinates the continuum of care across the multi-disciplinary team settings.
• Openness to new approaches, methods or technology in the ever-changing healthcare setting
• Provide a positive customer experience by involvement and resolution of customer concerns
• Develops patient care plan using critical and analytical skills based on patient condition, age, and psychological, educational and socioeconomic conditions that prescribes interventions to attain expected outcomes.
• Effectively apply technical knowledge to problem solve and act as a role model and resource person for other staff members
• Develops, coordinates and implements transfer/discharge planning throughout episode of care
• Maintains skills/competency related to special equipment, medications and procedures common to the patient population of the unit/department.
• Utilizes, adheres and supports departmental standards and practice guidelines.

Maintain adequate records reflecting patient condition, medications, and treatments. Initiate and assist with patient and family education concerning diagnosis, medical management, medications, activity, discharge plans and home care taking into consideration the patient's ability to learn and the patient's available resources.

Act as patient and family advocate and liaison between medical staff and the patient and family.

• Applies nursing theory to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of patient responses to health and illness
• Implements emergency care procedures in potential or actual emergencies according to departmental policies, procedures and protocols
• Cross-train to other departments as needed
• Flexibility in schedule; willing to work additional hours, take low census days or alternate shifts as needed
• Completes education for professional growth
• Regular attendance
• Other duties as assigned

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates teamwork by working cooperatively with others on a team both internally within the department assigned and outside departments.
• Manages change by showing the ability to demonstrate support for innovation and for organizational changes needed for performance improvement.
• Demonstrates a consistent positive customer experience on a daily basis
• Demonstrates critical and analytical thinking skills by a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
• Demonstrates clinical and technical expertise in their area of licensure, certification or experienced area.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with prevalent professional demeanor
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation
• Highly motivated with high ethical standards that supports and drives goals of the Company
• Ability to work in fast paced, rapidly changing, and regulated environment Display knowledge of care required by infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school age, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
• Competent in the theory and application in the care of the principles of the patient presenting for emergency care
• Competent in the use of complex equipment and medications found in the emergency department to include but not limited to; Lucas device, defibrillators, glidescope, fluid warmer and high risk medications.
• Competent to manage critically-ill patient population within highly functioning emergency department
• Proven capacity to function with a high degree of autonomy while actively collaborating within a multi-disciplinary team

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
• Current license as a registered nurse issued by the State of Iowa or is eligible for reciprocity or has a work permit issued by the State of Iowa
• Knowledge of theory, principles, techniques, and practice of professional nursing; of scientific principles and nursing research; of preparation, administration, and actions of medications; of treatments and medical procedures; of counseling and teaching techniques; of medical equipment as it relates to patient care.
• Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for pediatric to geriatric patients.
• BLS certification.
• ACLS certified or willingness to complete within 6 months of hire.
• TNCC certified or willingness to complete within 6 months of hire (cost reimbursable; required for FT/PT employees only).
• PALS certified or willingness to complete within 6 months of hire.
• Two-four years clinical experience preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sit an average of < 1 hour per workday
• Stand an average 9-12 hours per workday
• Walk an average of 9-12 hours per workday
• Bend/Stoop
• Frequently (20-30 times/day)
• Squat
• Several times (20-30 times/day)
• Reach above shoulder level
• Frequently (20-30 times/day)
• Heavy
• Up to 50 lbs of weight carried
• As needed, on demand
• Heavy
• Awkward weight lifted up to 100+ lbs
• As needed, on demand
• Hands used for repetitive action: Fine Dexterity (i.e. typing, writing, filing)
• Constant (greater than 25 times/hour) SAFETY Safety is a major responsibility of all employees at WCHC.

The organization is committed to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. WCHC encourages employees to share Safety concerns with their direct supervisor or any member of the Safety Committee. Employee will comply with all safety policy and procedures. Participates in departmental Performance Improvement activities under the supervision of the department director.

COMPLIANCE AND ETHICS

Employees adhere to the WCHC Code of Conduct and Ethical Behavior. They maintain professional manner, integrity, and ethics related to the employee's job.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The employee will adhere to patient confidentiality as well as the confidentiality of hospital business information.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Adheres to WCHC's Customer Service Standards and Core values statement. WCHC expects personnel to exceed the customer's expectations.

JOB DESCRIPTION ACKNOWLEDGMENT I

acknowledge that I have read the ER RN Nurse job description, understand the expectations, and am able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities necessary to successfully perform the job as described with or without reasonable accommodations. I also understand that the job description may be changed at the discretion of the company at any time.