Registered Nurse - Observation Unit

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

This is a Full-Time, 36 weekly hours position with Rotating shifts at the Philadelphia Campus. The fast-paced, 16-bed General Pediatrics observation unit primarily cares for patients from the Emergency Room who require a 24- to 72-hour admission for conditions such as bronchiolitis/RSV, asthma, BRUE, common childhood infections, infant fevers, failure to thrive, constipation/dehydration, and hyperbilirubinemia. Specialty populations include post-operative patients recovering from arm/leg fractures, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, and urology procedures, with a typical patient ratio of 4:1. The Clinical Nurse practices at the level of an advanced beginner to expert practitioner of professional nursing, guided by the CHOP Nursing Professional Practice Model. This role involves demonstrating competence in caring for patients and families, progressing to those with the most complex problems/highest acuity in the designated clinical area. Care is delivered through RN leadership within a family-centered care framework, adhering to organizational and nursing department mission, vision, and values, as well as the ANA Code of Ethics, ANA Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice, applicable specialty nursing organizations' standards, and CHOP developed standards of nursing practice. The professional nurse practices within the defined scope of practice designated by the Nurse Practice Acts of Pennsylvania and/or New Jersey.

Requirements

Technical Diploma in Nursing
At least one (1) year RN experience
Basic computer competency (mouse, keyboard, printer, USB ports, Microsoft Office, web browsing, intranet search, shared network file space)
Basic use of patient facing technology (e.g., IV pumps, point of care devices, CR monitors)
Navigation and use of clinical communication systems
Information Literacy: Determine the nature and extent of clinical information needed and use appropriate technology to access it; access information effectively and efficiently; evaluate information and its sources critically; incorporate information into clinical practice; evaluate outcomes of information use.
Information Management Literacy: Navigate the electronic health record system; locate and review specific patient data in various clinical information systems; effectively use clinical decision support tools; understand policies and procedures, confidentiality, security, and privacy regulations regarding clinical information systems; collect clinical data using quality improvement tools.
Registered Nurse (Pennsylvania) or Nursing Temporary Practice Permit (Pennsylvania) upon hire
Registered Nurse (New Jersey) or Nursing Temporary Practice Permit (New Jersey) upon hire
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) issued through an organization that requires a hands-on instructor lead psychomotor skills verification (e.g., American Heart Association or Red Cross) upon hire
Annual influenza vaccine (for employees who work in patient care buildings or have patient facing responsibilities)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
Prior experience in pediatrics or area of specialty

Responsibilities

Follow the nursing process to deliver safe, compassionate, and culturally effective care.
Gather and synthesize assessment data to determine the patient/family plan of care, pertinent data to be shared with the care team, and tasks to be delegated.
Recognize and/or seek resources to identify clinical changes indicative of patient deterioration; utilize the CAT team when appropriate.
Collaborate with the patient, family, and multidisciplinary team to coordinate all facets of patient care.
Develop, implement, and/or revise the patient’s plan of care on admission and during hospitalization, ensuring it is outcomes-focused with goals and required interventions.
Coordinate care across the continuum, understanding and utilizing case management resources.
Consistently follow evidence-based practice bundles and nursing standards/procedures to provide nursing care that eliminates preventable events of patient harm and promotes excellent patient outcomes.
Recognize and address situations presenting ethical dilemmas and/or moral distress, taking steps to actively address and resolve them.
Demonstrate competence in teaching patients/families and progress to an expert educator.
Evaluate and document the care provided on each assigned shift.
Be accountable for the rapid adoption and implementation of clinical practice changes into own practice.
Document the evaluation of nursing interventions and outcomes of nursing care utilizing hospital standards, policies, and procedures.
Consistently follow safe hand-off practices as defined in patient care standards and procedures.
Utilize and exemplify safety behaviors for error prevention; identify potential safety concerns and communicate with unit leadership; enter safety nets when applicable.
Use effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and good listening skills to empathically communicate with patients/families and colleagues.
Encourage patient/family self-advocacy.
Demonstrate effective teamwork as a member of the interdisciplinary care team, fostering a culture of respect.
Recognize and address situations where disrespectful collaboration may impact patient care and/or create non-collaborative relationships, seeking resources as needed.
Actively participate in interdisciplinary patient care rounds and/or meetings, making recommendations and revising the plan of care.
Incorporate evidence-based practice into direct clinical care in collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Develop and implement effective partnerships with ancillary staff; delegate tasks effectively to assure comprehensive nursing care.
Develop and sustain professional, well-boundary, therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
Model appearance and behaviors that promote a positive image of professional nursing.
Expand clinical judgment and critical thinking skills with increased experience.
Demonstrate mastery of the principles of Family Centered Care, including dignity and respect, information sharing, participation, and collaboration.
Demonstrate understanding of optimal patient/family experiences and incorporate into care delivery; have a working knowledge of patient/family experience results and participate in initiatives to improve satisfaction scores.
Practice within a shared decision-making environment; participate in Shared Governance council activities and progress to leading them.
Be familiar with Magnet designation and the Magnet Model; participate in ongoing designation activities.
Demonstrate fiscal stewardship by managing time, conserving resources, avoiding incidental overtime, understanding staffing cost implications, and identifying cost savings opportunities.
Be well informed about the Professional Advancement Program (PEAK) and consider participation.
Demonstrate healthcare informatics competency to manage patient care, outcome data, and current and emerging healthcare technology.
Understand nursing sensitive outcomes and navigate the nursing scorecard; participate in improvement initiatives.
Identify own learning needs and actively assure they are met, including seeking opportunities, attending required programs, maintaining CEUs for licensure, and complying with mandatory education and annual nursing competencies.
Recognize individual preferences regarding an environment of constant change and understand change management; develop effective methods to cope with and incorporate learning.
Understand the principles and methodology of quality improvement; progress to participating in and/or leading QI initiatives.
Understand and contribute to the science of nursing by developing inquiry, reading pertinent articles, performing literature reviews, developing clinical questions, advancing understanding and application of evidence-based practice, and utilizing resources to participate in research projects.
Participate in activities that contribute to improving the health of the community.