Summary
The Registered Nurse provides direct care to patients using the nursing process. This includes ongoing assessment of the total patient, interventions to treat presenting symptoms, and evaluation of the effect of nursing interventions and patient responses. The RN functions as a team leader/member and resource to others, delegates, oversees, and provides direction to support staff, collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to establish goals and outcomes for each patient, and is responsible for meeting the needs of all types of patients.
Responsibilities
- (40%) Regularly assess patient’s needs and provide skilled nursing services as prescribed by the physician authorized plan of care and accepted standards of evidence-based nursing practice.
- (30%) Provide direct patient care including medication administration, treatments, education, call lights, assisting with transfers, responding to alarms, and other duties as appropriate.
- (20%) Evaluate effectiveness of the treatment plan and make suggestions or participate in updating/revising the treatment plan in collaboration with other team members, utilizing current information to improve patient care.
- (10%) Ensure knowledge and compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines as well as hospital specific policies and procedures relating to care provided in the medical center.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Demonstrate the MyMichigan Health mission, vision and values.
- Behave in a courteous, professional manner at all times with patients, visitors, and co-workers.
- Interpret information and report pertinent data to the physician.
- Educate patient/family according to assessed learning needs, considering readiness, ability, preferences, and cultural/spiritual variables.
- Organize and prioritize the needs of groups of patients or an individual patient.
- Manage assignments and perform routine duties on the unit; instruct other team members when appropriate, explaining goals and rationale for individualized care.
- Understand and utilize clinical pathways appropriately.
- Maintain a professional demeanor in all situations.
- Document accurately, clearly, and concisely, including pertinent clinical data.
- Share information and report significant changes and/or abnormal findings to appropriate team members in a timely manner.
- Participate in regulatory surveys and performance improvement activities.
- Assist with orientation and ongoing competencies.
- Provide a safe and secure environment for patient care.
- Maintain knowledge of current trends and professional standards within a specialty.
- Understand role in emergency preparedness procedures.
- Set up and assist with central line and chest tube insertion and care according to policy and procedure.
- Insert catheter tubes, nasogastric tubes, and feeding tubes per physician order, following proper procedure.
- Insert and provide care for IVs.
- Provide routine care and instruction of SP catheters and surgical drains following physician order.
- Provide proper care for drains and removal of same.
- Remove sutures and skin clips, provide routine ostomy care, irrigate and pack wounds following physician order, procedure and care plan.
- Set up, instruct and monitor use of PCA.
- Obtain doppler pulses following proper procedure.
- Provide routine care of gastrostomy/jejunostomy tubes according to procedure and physician orders.
- Assist in heparin therapy protocol per procedures.
- Apply basic traction, splints, braces, and CPM machines following procedure and physician order.
- Cut and trim casts, remove wound drains following physician order and procedure.
- Maintain total hip and total knee precaution measures and instruct patients.
Certifications and Licensures
- Credential: BLS: Basic Life Support Equivalent Experience: Within 1 month of hire or transfer Qualification Source: AHA Essential: true
- Credential: PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support Equivalent Experience: Within 12 months of hire or transfer Essential: true
- Credential: RN: Registered Nurse Essential: true
- Credential: DIMC: Dysrhythmia Interpretation Management Equivalent Experience: Telemetry competency through testing or Telemetry Monitoring & Management class with passing score within 12 months of hire. Essential: true
- Credential: TEAM ADVANCED: Techniques for Effective Aggression Management Equivalent Experience: Within 6 months of hire or transfer (Employees who are in this position on or before 12/31/2023 will have 24 months to complete this certification). Essential: true
Required Education
Associates Degree. Essential: true. Education Specialization: NRG. BSN is preferred.
Experience, Training and Skills
- Specialty certification preferred.
- Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals and groups and interact with people at all levels to communicate ideas and concepts in a clear and understandable manner.
- Must demonstrate knowledge, ability, and competence in treating unit specific patient populations.
- Must follow MyMichigan Health blood borne pathogen and TB testing as required.
- Demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows. May be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.
Physical/Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions
- Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, trauma, grief, and death.
- Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for the position.
- Capable of moving freely about the facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined.
- Overall vision and hearing necessary with or without assisted device(s).
- Frequently required to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time with frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
- Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently, maintain regular and predictable attendance and stay awake.
- Overall dexterity required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling, with possible repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.
- Physical Demand Level: Medium. Must be able to occasionally (0‑33% of the workday) lift or carry 21‑50 lbs., frequently (34‑66% of the workday) 20 lbs., and constantly (67‑100% of the workday) 10 lbs.