Inpatient RN NICU RGV

DRISCOLL HEALTH PLAN•Edinburg, TX

About The Position

The staff Registered Nurse (RN) provides direct nursing care to an assigned patient population, service line, or clinic department. Using the nursing process, the RN plans and delivers effective patient care within the Texas Nursing Practice Act scope of practice and Driscoll Health System’s vision and mission of excellence and integrated care delivery. The RN practices according to established standards of practice, ethical guidelines, policies, and guidance from the American Nurses Association and the specialty service line. The role requires completing assigned duties and maintaining current competence in skills and nursing practice relevant to the primary work area. The RN assesses patients’ physical, psychosocial, and emotional needs; analyzes assessment information; identifies diagnoses and expected outcomes; and develops and adjusts individualized, evidence-based plans of care with patients, families, and the healthcare team. The RN administers medications and therapeutic treatments, responds to changes in patient condition, coordinates referrals and transitions of care, provides patient and family education, evaluates outcomes, and documents care. The RN also supports ethical, equitable, and respectful care, communicates effectively with patients and colleagues, participates in unit activities and shared decision-making, delegates appropriately, and may assume lead or charge nurse responsibilities as requested and when appropriately trained.

Requirements

Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Texas.
Maintain American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification. Candidates may onboard with AHA or Red Cross CPR and transition to AHA upon first renewal.
Complete and continuously maintain Advanced Specialty Courses according to Attachment A and its specified timeframes.
Attempt national specialty certification within four years of hire for eligible roles and continuously maintain it thereafter.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect initial and ongoing assessment data and conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ physical, psychosocial, and emotional needs.
Use appropriate assessment tools and analyze findings to identify actual or potential diagnoses, problems, and issues; verify findings with patients and interprofessional colleagues.
Identify expected patient outcomes and collaborate with patients and families to define outcomes that account for culture, values, and ethical considerations.
Collaborate with healthcare team members to address patient needs promptly.
Develop, prioritize, implement, and modify individualized, evidence-based plans of care in partnership with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
Help create a patient-focused, family-centered environment that supports continuity of care and patient transitions.
Advocate for compassionate, responsible, and appropriate use of interventions.
Administer medications and therapeutic treatments using appropriate devices and in accordance with clinical guidelines and orders.
Recognize and address abnormal responses to medication therapy, initiate corrective therapy, and escalate patient care concerns or changes in status until resolved.
Initiate referrals based on assessed patient needs and communicate with patients, families, the interprofessional team, and community resources to support safe transitions and continuity of care.
Coordinate referrals and follow-up appointments between specialties and support continuity between inpatient and outpatient care.
When working in an ambulatory setting, perform phone triage, manage prescription renewals, and coordinate follow-up appointments and care plans.
Identify learning barriers and develop and implement patient and family education plans that reflect individual needs, preferences, and circumstances.
Use health promotion and teaching methods, including technology, to communicate health promotion and disease prevention information.
Evaluate and report patient responses to interventions, evaluate progress toward expected outcomes, and revise plans as necessary.
Integrate the Code of Ethics for Nurses into practice and decision-making.
Advocate for safe, effective, efficient, and timely care, seeking direction when needed, and demonstrate willingness to address persistent systemic issues.
Provide respectful, equitable, unbiased care and maintain therapeutic relationships that support patient and family comfort and dignity.
Use clear, closed-loop communication and language translation resources as needed; document care accurately and promptly in the medical record.
Participate in unit activities, shared governance, and decision-making; help resolve conflict and delegate nursing care appropriately to unlicensed assistive personnel.
Assume a lead role as needs or schedule variances arise and assume charge nurse duties after completing required training and competency, as requested.
Seek experiences that maintain and advance clinical knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment.