Registered Nurse, Heywood Emergency Room

Heywood Hospital•Gardner, MA

About The Position

Under the direction of the nurse manager, the Registered Nurse performs direct and indirect patient care activities according to Emergency Department standards. The nurse must be able to function independently in the Emergency Department and demonstrate assessment, critical-thinking, and communication skills, as well as teamwork. The role includes assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care; providing patient and family education; coordinating discharge planning; administering medications and intravenous therapy; documenting care; and communicating with other members of the healthcare team. Emergency Department responsibilities also include triage, pain assessment, recognizing and responding to changes in patient condition, supporting critical-care interventions, and following safety, forensic-evidence, reporting, and disaster procedures. This is a temporary, 36-hour position with a 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. day/evening schedule, every other weekend, and every other holiday. The posted hourly pay range is $39.58–$78.93. Final compensation depends on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing.
Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse license.
ACLS upon hire, or an active BLS card and completion of AHA ACLS within 60 days of hire.
AHA PALS within six months of hire.
Ability to function independently in the Emergency Department.
Assessment, critical-thinking, and communication skills, and ability to work as a team player.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands: exert 20–50 pounds of force occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly; frequent reaching, handling, and feeling; and occasional stooping, kneeling, and color distinction.
Required behavioral attributes: achievement motivation, concern for order, flexibility, initiative, self-confidence, customer-service orientation, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, analytical thinking, and information seeking.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in nursing preferred.
Three to five years of Emergency Department experience preferred.
TNCC preferred.
ENPC preferred.
CEN preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess and reassess patients; plan, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions, plans of care, and patient goals.
Provide care in accordance with standards of care and practice, protocols, and established policies and procedures.
Respect patients as individuals and provide care that supports dignity and positive self-regard.
Teach patients and families based on learning needs, readiness, and barriers to learning.
Collaboratively plan and prepare patients and families for discharge, incorporating support systems and resources as needed.
Delegate and supervise nursing interventions performed by others appropriately.
Prioritize patient care, seek assistance when needed, reassign personnel as necessary, and recognize when emergency intervention is required.
Document pertinent data, therapeutic interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly according to standards.
Provide timely, thorough reports to other healthcare team members to support integrated services and continuity of care.
Promote learning for colleagues and self, including functioning as a preceptor, instructor, or trainer and attending professional development programs.
Identify patient-safety risks and opportunities to reduce medical and healthcare errors, and report errors or incidents appropriately.
Identify ethical issues in care and develop plans to address them.
Administer medications and intravenous therapy safely in accordance with orders, protocols, policies, and procedures.
Assess and document pain using the numerical pain scale, reassess pain-control effectiveness, and notify physicians as needed.
Perform and document initial assessments on arrival and implement triage protocols as needed.
Identify patients at risk for potential or alleged abuse; initiate safety plans; complete mandated reporting; collect forensic evidence; and maintain chain of evidence according to policy.
Complete required reports for stabbings, gunshot wounds, burns, and sexual assault according to policy and procedure.
Maintain knowledge of disaster policies and procedures.
Identify patients at risk for violent behavior and implement appropriate nonviolent interventions.
Understand indications, alternatives, monitoring, and documentation requirements for restraint use.
Recognize normal and abnormal laboratory and diagnostic results and notify physicians of changes promptly.
Administer vasoactive medications safely, including understanding dosage, action, use, side effects, and titration parameters for critical drips.
Identify cardiac arrhythmias accurately and promptly.
Institute, monitor, and document thrombolytic and anticoagulation therapy according to standards and protocols.
Initiate and maintain care of intubated patients, including suctioning, troubleshooting, and weaning.
Interpret arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, and clinical signs of impaired gas exchange or airway clearance accurately.
Obtain supporting information and complete required medication-reconciliation documentation for use by the Attending MD.
Implement components of the VAP bundle consistently and according to protocol.
Alert the Nurse Manager, Director, or Nursing Supervisor to deviations from the VAP bundle by the Attending MD for case review and follow-up as indicated.
Perform other job-related duties as requested.