RN

The Registered Nurse (RN) is expected to provide excellent, clinically competent patient care by utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation; and effectively interact with patients, significant others, and the other healthcare team members while maintaining standards of professional nursing. The RN also determines the effectiveness of nursing interventions by evaluating outcomes in relation to evidenced-based intervention. The primary focus of the RN is to ensure every patient receives quality care and services through the efficient use of resources. The RN functions within the scope and standards of nursing as defined by the American Nurses Association and the Nurse Practice Act of Virginia. As a member of the healthcare team, the RN is responsible for making decisions and performing services that are in the best interest of the patient while positively contributing to the patient's experience and the success of the entire team by placing the patient and the team above the needs of the individual.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

The RN is responsible for providing patient care on his/her assigned shift:

• 12-hour shifts for inpatient staff; Specialty units may differ as per unit/departmental need
• Completes a comprehensive nursing assessment based on admission nursing history and appropriate standard of care/protocol
• Collects/gathers available data, makes knowledgeable interpretations and appropriate nursing diagnosis
• Initiates and updates the standard of care within established time frames
• Plans, provides, and documents individual patient/family teaching and evaluates understanding
• Initiates and implements plan for discharge upon admission and throughout the hospitalization
• Consults/informs Clinical Coordinator and Charge nurse of unit activities, needs, and problems
• Organizes and reprioritizes work based on staff needs, patients' needs, available resources, and unit requirements
• Demonstrate a theoretical knowledge base, critical thinking skills, and efficient prioritization of patient needs
• Safely administers medication
• Accurately verifies orders
• Demonstrates consistent ability/competence in patient care areas.
• Actively solicits feedback from patients and visitors.
• Functions independently with most procedures/protocols and those which require assisting a physician
• Recognizes limitations and seeks the appropriate assistance when needed
• Demonstrates ability to respond to emergency situations
• Documents patient care per hospital policy
• Provides a safe environment for patients and visitors
• Contributes to reduction of infections and adheres to infection control guidelines.
• Fosters spirit of teamwork within assigned area.
• Participates in quality improvement activities within the unit
• Supervises LPN and UAP when assigned. Reviews data collection and implements and modifies plan of care for patients assigned to an LPN.
• Performs as charge nurse, when assigned.
• Demonstrates the ability to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate the vision, mission, and goals of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, including hospital and unit specific dashboards.
• Demonstrates the ability to foster a healthy, collaborative, open work environment that is conducive to teamwork and encourages communication.
• Demonstrates the ability to follow administrative protocols.
• Demonstrates effective problem-solving, and communication skills such as conflict resolution and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrates constructive and effective relationships with staff, peers and customers. Maintains positive employee relations and good employee morale. Emphasizes the team approach to work. Motivates and mentors those to strive for "excellence."
• Creates a culture within the department that rewards cooperation, teamwork and collective problem solving.
• Proactively deals with conflict in a timely manner.
• The RN serves as the role model for his/her professional area of practice.
• Assesses team member's clinical competency through observation, testing, return demonstration and evaluation of the occurrences of variances to care standards.
• Serves as a mentor and preceptor to students and all new hires.
• Serves as a resource for students
• Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services
• Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care

Summary of Other Job Duties and Expectations

• Maintains current skills and knowledge in professional area of practice
• Utilizes opportunities for professional growth
• Presents lectures and in-services for staff, patients and new hires
• Attends and participates in unit meetings, committees and in-services
• Networks actively with professional organizations
• Promotes physician relationship.
• Exhibits exceptional guest relation skills
• Pursues certification in clinical area.
• Maintains in-service hours
• Follows dress code
• Makes self-available to others when needed and demonstrates flexibility with staffing and scheduling to ensure safe patient care
• Models and encourages high standards of courtesy, honesty, integrity, trust, openness and respect for others
• Works harmoniously with team toward the accomplishment of common goals
• Loyal, tactful, industrious and considerate.
• Creates and contributes to an environment that encourages, recognizes, and rewards creativity, and innovation
• Participates in community activities that are supported by the hospital

Supervisory Responsibilities

Reports to: Nurse Manager and Clinical Coordinator

Supervises: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)

Responsibilities: May delegate/assign duties to other members of the healthcare team

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education: Must be a Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Virginia or compact state. Specialty areas may require further education.

Preferred Education: BSN

Experience: One-year RN experience in an acute care/hospital setting preferred. Specialty areas may require further experience and qualifications. Employee should be competent in position within 90-days of employment.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must be a Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Virginia or compact state; BLS Certification within 90 days of hire. Certification in a specialty field preferred. Maintains preferred certifications related to specialty area (i.e., ACLS, NRP, CEN, etc.)