REGISTERED NURSE -Liberty Surgical Care Unit - Full Time- Dayshift

Meadville Medical Center•Meadville, PA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Coordinate total nursing care for patients using nursing standards and the nursing process; participate in patient and family teaching; provide leadership working cooperatively with other health care providers.

Requirements

Professional knowledge of nursing theory and practice at a level normally acquired through completion of an accredited School of Nursing.
Specialty units may have additional requirements according to their policy.
Current State Nursing License.
Communication skills necessary to effectively: Provide instruction to the patient and/or significant other Provide explanations to the patient and/or significant other Explain nursing intervention Communicate with other members of the health team.
ACLS, PALS and BLS.

Nice To Haves

Completes/maintains biannual ACLS certification.
Completes annual house wide and LSCU/PACU specific recredentialing.

Responsibilities

Assesses the patient’s condition and nursing needs. Based on those conditions and needs, develops and implements individual plan of care with revisions as patient’s condition and needs change.
Nursing assessment completed upon admission to the unit, post procedure and discharge, and complete immunization and pain assessment.
Develops and implements a nursing plan of care according to patient’s assessed needs. Revises care plan as condition needs change and updates daily.
Conducts “hourly rounds” on assigned patients consistently.
Focus is on safety of patients through fall reduction, restraint reduction and the safe administration of medications.
Cognizant of and addresses the patient’s level of comfort and pain management.
Expresses concern and understanding regarding patient and family satisfaction.
Maintains the standards of nursing care within the guidelines of the nursing department.
Demonstrates knowledge of and implements policies and procedures of the hospital and nursing departments.
Directs, supervises and evaluates nursing care provided to the patients and administers direct care, by using professional nursing skills and judgments as required.
Includes pain assessment, interventions, and re-assessment.
Assists physicians with patient rounds, procedures, and exams and documents on patient record.
Transcribes physician orders accurately and legibly. Observation of accuracy and legibility. Uses appropriate abbreviations. Documented oral orders - “read back” is present as well as date, time and signature.
Administers medications, including IV’s according to hospital policy and procedure. Observed administering and documenting medications according to hospital procedure.
Inserts IV’s as ordered. Documents appropriately on patient record. Correct usage of Pyxis and documentation of wasted narcotics.
Adhere to Patient Safety Goals of medication administration.
Demonstrates cost-conscious use of supplies; maintains equipment in a clean and safe manner.
Demonstrates responsibility for containment of hospital costs and conservation of supplies and equipment.
Demonstrates fiscal responsibility for overtime and patient charges.
Maintains and demonstrates the standards of nursing care within the guidelines of the nursing department, PNA, ASA, and ASPAN Standards.
Demonstrates knowledge of and implements PACU specific, Administrative and Nursing policies and procedures.
Implements physician orders pertaining to LSCU/PACU care.
Participates in the orientation of new staff and in the clinical experience of students.
Assumes personal responsibility for professional development and continuing education. Attendance at in-service programs - continuing education programs outside of the hospital.and that is required.
Attends unit meetings, other meetings, reads notices and memos.
Participates in nursing councils.
Maintains skills in the assessment, treatment, and care appropriate to the unique needs of the perioperative patient (i.e. age groups, disease process of the patient).
Completes/maintains biannual ACLS certification.
Completes annual house wide and LSCU/PACU specific recredentialing.
Recognizes and reports findings outside the normal range for this age group.
Critical lab values and correct response.
Vital signs and correct reporting.
Ability to communicate and serves as a liaison between patient’s family and services needed.
Is perceptive to the impact of changing life roles.
Considers limitation of patient and takes measures to protect them.
Utilizes appropriate hand out materials for reinforcement.
Involves both patient and caregivers to be included in care.
Consults Social Services for questions concerning home care.
Knowledgeable of importance of patient safety assessment.
Completes fall assessment on admission and updates upon return from the O.R.
Identifies patient at risk for falls.
Ambulates using two staff as needed.
Use care in positioning and pulling patients up in stretcher.
Follows hospital protocols to avoid restraint use whenever possible.
Transports safely.
Provide adequate warmth.
Keep cubicles well lit.
Is aware of the responsibility and mechanism to report abuse specific to this age group which may include financial as well as physical abuse.
Demonstrates the ability to provide age specific dietary considerations.
Makes appropriate dietary referrals when indicated.
Serves appropriate nourishments in proper containers.
Establishes and documents diet at home - Give choices.
Promote good nutrition when applicable.
Verify adherence to preop dietary restrictions.
Assesses pain intensity utilizing scale appropriate for age.
Utilize numeric pain score 0/10 for adolescent, adult, geriatric.
Recognize presence of pain and document findings in the non-communicated patient.
Identifies appropriate equipment for age/size of patient.
Applies appropriate size NIBP cuff.
Promotes adequate oxygenation.
Utilizes appropriate oxygen therapy for age.
Inserts correct sized nasal/oral airway.
Applies appropriate size pulse oximeter probe.