Registered Staff Nurse (PRN) - PCU/EMU, University Hospital

USA Health•Mobile, AL

About The Position

USA Health is seeking a Registered Nurse for the PCU/EMU at University Hospital. The nurse provides family-centered care within their scope of practice and in accordance with hospital policies and the Nurse Practice Act. The role includes assessing patients, planning individualized care, identifying expected outcomes, implementing and evaluating nursing interventions, and providing direct patient care in line with unit-specific competencies. The nurse may serve as charge nurse, supervise and coordinate care delivered by other staff, and serve as a preceptor for new employees and nursing students. The position involves therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, medication administration (including controlled substances), administration of blood products, IV starts, activities of daily living, emergency response, and basic life support. The nurse educates patients and families, maintains accurate medical records, uses the hospital information system, communicates with patients, families, physicians, and healthcare team members, and supports unit operations and quality-improvement activities. Regular, prompt attendance and work according to the assigned schedule, including overtime and call as required, are expected. Other duties may include reassignment to other units and committee participation.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
Current Alabama RN license or current Multi-State RN License in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact for Alabama.
A comparable combination of education and experience may substitute for the listed requirements.

Responsibilities

Practice family-centered nursing according to policies and the Nurse Practice Act.
Serve as charge nurse when assigned.
Supervise, plan, evaluate, and coordinate patient care provided by licensed and non-licensed staff.
Demonstrate CPR according to American Heart Association standards.
Abide by and enforce compliance requirements and policies, and perform responsibilities ethically in keeping with the organization's values.
Follow hospital policies, including confidentiality requirements.
Maintain regular and prompt attendance; work the assigned schedule, including overtime and call as required.
Serve as preceptor for new employees and nursing students.
Use the nursing process to assess patients, plan individualized care, identify expected outcomes, and implement and evaluate nursing interventions for patients and families.
Provide direct patient care according to unit-specific competencies.
Perform therapeutic procedures and assist with diagnostic procedures required for patient care.
Administer medications, including controlled substances by all routes, and administer blood and blood products.
Respond appropriately to emergency patient situations, start IVs, perform activities of daily living, and provide basic life support and management of arrest situations.
Perform patient care with minimal supervision and understand the purpose, rationale, precautions, and observations associated with skilled procedures.
Use proper body mechanics when moving, positioning, and transferring patients and moving necessary equipment.
Plan, coordinate, and delegate patient and family education as appropriate, and complete education documentation.
Use a personal computer or terminal to access the Hospital Information System.
Communicate effectively and use appropriate customer-relations skills with physicians, patients, families, and the healthcare team in person and by telephone; respond to overhead pages.
Maintain accurate and complete medical records using the correct documentation tools and procedures; complete required ADP, flow chart, discharge, pain assessment, and MAR documentation; supervise, evaluate, and finalize patient care records; and transcribe physician orders.
Accept and complete duties positively, cooperate with colleagues, help others, and contribute to unit performance.
Complete mandatory unit, educational, department, and hospital requirements; use cost-effective practices; and follow current infection-control and safety standards.
Provide competent care to neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient populations.
As charge nurse, organize and direct resources, personnel, and materials to meet patient and nursing staff needs.
As charge nurse, communicate with the Nurse Manager and Nurse Administrator about unit status, patient matters, staffing, quality management, and other evolving events.
As charge nurse, act as a first line of problem resolution with other departments and patient complaints, assist with shift duty assignments or serve as a staff nurse when needed, and verify emergency equipment is functional.
Perform other duties as assigned or required, including reassignment to other units; participate on assigned committees and in Performance Improvement activities, including quality measurement or the !CARE process.