Registered Nurse- Emergency Department

Status: Full-Time

Position Summary:  Provides professional nursing care within the Emergency Department; coordinates care planning with other disciplines.  Provides care that meets the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care.  Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs of patients, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system.  Communicates with ED physicians/Nurse Managers/co-workers regarding changes in patient’s status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology.  Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for performing a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy.  This includes neonate, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population.
• Responsible for providing direct patient care, evaluating outcomes, consulting with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Uses triage process to ensure timely and appropriate care to patients.  Accurately assigns triage categories
• Adequately assess and reassess pain.  Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.  Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Responsible for monitoring hemodynamic status of patient and correctly interpret the results.
• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring, identifies dysrhythmias and treats appropriately.
• Demonstrates ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory’s and the patient care unit’s policies and procedures. Ability to interpret the results of waived tests; takes appropriate action on waived test results.
• Maintains current knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Responsible for performing patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age.
• Demonstrates an ability to assist physicians with procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills.
• Demonstrates ability to perform treatments and provide services to level of licensure.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity.  Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. 
• Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served.  Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Professional Requirements:

• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all federal, state, local regulations and accrediting organization standards related to the Medical Surgical Unit and, as appropriate, to the hospital.
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
• Wears identification while on duty.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire safety, emergency management and infection prevention and control.
• Effectively and consistently communicates administrative directive to staff and encourages interactive departmental meetings and discussions.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with up to six (6) months registered nurse experience.
• Current West Virginia Registered Nurse Licensure, or current multi-state licensure within state of practice.
• Current BLCS certification.
• Current ACLS certification or certified within (6) six months of hire.
• Current PALS certification or certified within (6) six months of hire.
• TNCC within one (1) year of hire.