RN: Med Surg (Full-Time Night Shift)

Pagosa Springs Medical Center • Pagosa Springs, CO

1d • $33 - $50 • Onsite

About The Position

The Med Surg nurse provides observation and/or inpatient care to all patients assigned a bed on the Med Surg Unit. The nurse’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
assessing and treating the patients clinical conditions and prioritizing their care;
administering observation and inpatient nursing care and procedures required to treat patient medical and surgical conditions;
monitoring/reassessment of patients;
educating patients and their families;
collaborating with the physicians and following physician orders;
ensuring the continuum of care to prevent readmission;
documenting assessments, change in condition and treatments initiated; and
mentoring new nurses.
Join a Hospital That Feels Like Family – In a Town That Feels Like Home
Pagosa Springs Medical Center is an award-winning, independent Critical Access Hospital serving the residents and visitors of Archuleta County and the surrounding region. As a modern rural hospital, PSMC delivers exceptional emergency, primary, and specialty care supported by advanced technology, a collaborative medical staff, and a leadership team committed to quality, safety, and patient-centered service.
At PSMC, you are not just a number – you are a valued team member whose contributions make a real difference. We prioritize professional growth, meaningful work, and a positive, supportive workplace culture grounded in our WISER values: Wholeness, Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence, and Respect.
What you’ll find at PSMC:
A supportive, collaborative culture where people truly care about each other
Modern facilities and growing service lines
Leadership that listens and invests in staff
Opportunities to learn, grow, and advance your career
A place where you can have direct impact on patient care and community wellness
Live Where Other People Vacation
Pagosa Springs is a mountain paradise tucked among the rugged peaks of the San Juan National Forest. Here, you can step into nature the moment you clock out:
Relax in our world-famous hot springs
Ski or snowboard at Wolf Creek Ski Area – “the most snow in Colorado,” just 30 minutes away
Explore hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and off-roading trails
Enjoy fly fishing, rafting, or paddle boarding on pristine rivers and lakes
Experience warm, friendly community with local festivals, live music, farmers markets, and small-town charm
If you’re looking for meaningful work, work-life balance, and a community that embraces you – PSMC and Pagosa Springs are the perfect place to build your future.

Responsibilities

• assessing and treating the patients clinical conditions and prioritizing their care
• administering observation and inpatient nursing care and procedures required to treat patient medical and surgical conditions
• monitoring/reassessment of patients
• educating patients and their families
• collaborating with the physicians and following physician orders
• ensuring the continuum of care to prevent readmission
• documenting assessments, change in condition and treatments initiated
• mentoring new nurses
• Provides patient care, as ordered, within the RN scope of practice, including comprehensive patient assessment, patient care planning, initiating/directing treatments, reassessment/monitoring response, evaluation of care provided and patient/family education.
• Assess patient’s clinical status at intervals according to facility or health care organization policies and procedures to include the patient’s: cardiovascular system; respiratory system and airway management needs; neurological system; gastrointestinal and genitourinary system; soft tissue / skeletal system and skin integrity; hemodynamic stability; pain and comfort needs; and mental status.
• Monitors patients for changes in condition and reports any abnormal findings to the Hospitalist and/or surgeon.
• Performs appropriate treatments (i.e. initiates IV, oxygen therapy, catheters, NG tubes, orthopedic braces, splints and devices, SCDs, specialized mattresses and EKG, etc.) as ordered by physician in an accurate and timely manner.
• Initiates appropriate nursing interventions in the care of the patient including but not limited to: communicating the patient’s current status throughout the continuum of care; providing acute pain and comfort management as needed; administering medications correctly by implementing the 7-rights of safe medication practices (i.e., right patient, right medication, right dose, right time, right route, right indication, right documentation); performing interventions to maintain the integrity of the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels; performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels; performing interventions to protect patient from infection; managing patient’s other co-morbid conditions as applicable; managing patient’s fluid as prescribed; assessing knowledge level of the patient and/or designated support person and providing education regarding expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain and comfort management, wound management, and expected responses to the treatment plan; involving patient and/or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her plan of care and the rehabilitation process; protecting the patient’s rights, dignity and privacy; providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice; providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting; and evaluation of the patient’s progress towards outcomes.
• Performs nursing tasks, as ordered, including administration of medication, IV therapy, using appropriate technique and appropriate dose calculations. Operates infusion pumps, and documents accurately in the electronic health record.
• Administers IV infusion of medications prescribed by the provider.
• Researches each medication to be given and knows the appropriate doses, times to be infused, side effects, and contraindications etc.
• Follows the seven (7) medication rights (right patient, right medication, right dose, right time, right route, right indication and right documentation) and reduces the potential for medication errors; successfully scans patient and medication prior to administration (not < 85% of the time).
• Demonstrates the ability to perform age specific nursing care by reviewing the History and Physical (H&P) and performs reassessments to identify any changes in patient condition.
• Ensures accurate completion of the Pre-Operative Checklist and gives face to face handoff to the OR Circulator before transfer of patient to surgery.
• Ensures the patient signs consent for any invasive procedure prior to being medicated.
• Initiates and completes all department specific, initial intake patient assessments following established documentation requirements in the electronic medical record.
• Utilizes Care Compass to organize and document assessments, care / nursing tasks, procedures and patient education.
• Transfers care, when needed, following hospital procedure, utilizing the SBAR format.
• Evaluates the patient’s general condition, including obtaining vital signs, height and weight and notifies the provider of any abnormal findings.
• Demonstrates the ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Promotes wellness by providing education materials to patients and communicating physician instructions and orders.
• Works with the provider to reinforce patient education and prior patient teaching surrounding disease state, treatment plan, and medications.
• Utilizes the National Patient Safety goals in providing patient care.
• Ensures patients’ next appointments are scheduled, if needed, and appropriate follow-up is understood.
• Participates in the coordination of care by bringing any concerns to his/her direct supervisor and/or the assigned medical staff providers.
• Communicates effectively with ordering provider to ensure that all orders are accurate and complete.
• Reviews all provider orders associated with a patient encounter, enters orders into the electronic health record as needed.
• Demonstrates knowledge of treatment modalities used in general and department specific patient care.
• Follows protocols for symptoms management and monitoring parameters based on selected therapies.
• Performs approved nursing procedures as defined by specific department and successful completion of associated competencies.
• Completes all Cerner documentation required in accordance with competencies, trainings, and PSMC policy and procedures.
• Completes, verifies correct charges drop for each patient, every day.
• Utilizes eFax to process faxes.
• Scans records into patient charts as appropriate.
• Assists providers, other department, and hospital staff.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs.
• Use at least two identifiers when confirming the identity of each patient (i.e., name and date of birth).
• Efficiently and accurately reconcile and document the patient’s current medications and allergies.
• Efficiently and accurately complete and document necessary assessments / histories with the patient.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Formulates a teaching plan based on identified patient learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching as appropriate, from admission to discharge.
• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring and can identify dysrhythmias.
• Demonstrates the ability to take appropriate action based on rhythm interpretation.
• Assists with department specific, provider performed exams and procedures.
• Identifies and addresses psycho-social needs of patients and families. Appropriately adjusts care for patients of all cultural and religious backgrounds.
• Carries out medical and surgical asepsis during treatments and special procedures. Utilizes universal precautions with all patients.
• Reduces potential for infection by instituting appropriate level of infection precautions based on patient condition.
• Consults other departments, as needed and as appropriate, to provide for an inter-disciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
• Demonstrates the knowledge of medications and IV fluids and/or blood products and their correct administration based on age of the patient and the patient’s clinical condition.
• Utilizes required templates and/or forms when documenting within the electronic health record.
• Presents / provides patients with appropriate patient education, discharge planning and visit summaries at the end of each visit.
• Accepts all patients in a timely fashion and in a professional manner.
• Demonstrate willingness to perform tasks and complete assigned work, does not leave unfinished tasks for others to complete.
• Prioritizes tasks so that the most important tasks are completed first.
• Initiates action to prevent the occurrence of any potential problems or nonconformities relating to patient care or supporting activities.
• Initiates, recommends or provides solutions through designated channels.
• Able to assist supervisor in oversight, supervision, education, and leadership of clinical support staff.
• Serves as a mentor to other staff, providing continuous learning support.
• Preps patient rooms for patients and maintains clean and sanitary exam/patient areas.
• Stocks and maintains medical supplies in the patient rooms, as appropriate, so necessary items are available for provider/patient.
• Creates and maintains a sterile field for appropriate procedures.
• Performs appropriate treatments as ordered by physician in an accurate and timely manner.
• Possesses the skills required to perform hemodynamic monitoring, pain management (i.e. PCA cardiac monitoring, vascular access device management and airway management).
• Interprets information accurately from various noninvasive monitors.
• Pursues professional growth and maintains specialized knowledge and skills in Medical Surgical nursing practice by participating in professional organizations and on-going continuing education/in-service training with emphasis in med surg practice.

Benefits

• Benefits include generous paid time off, separate sick leave, health, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, long-term disability and option for short-term disability, and retirement plan with employer contribution.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees