Summary
The Registered Nurse provides direct care to patients using the nursing process. This includes ongoing assessment of the total patient, providing interventions to treat presenting symptoms, and evaluating the effect of nursing interventions and the patient’s responses. The RN functions as a team leader or member and a resource to others, delegating, overseeing, and providing direction to support staff. The RN 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 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 the effectiveness of the treatment plan and make suggestions or participate in updating/revising the plan in collaboration with other team members, utilizing current information to improve patient care.
- (10%) Ensure the RN is knowledgeable and compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines as well as hospital‑specific policies and procedures related 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, and report significant changes 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.
- Stay current with knowledge of current trends and professional standards within a specialty.
- Demonstrate understanding of emergency preparedness procedures.
- Set up and assist with central line and chest tube insertion and care according to policy and procedure. Insert cousin 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.
- Obtain accurate CVP readings according to physician order and proper procedure. Set up, instruct, and monitor use of PCA.
- Obtain doppler pulses following proper procedure. Provide routine care of gastrostomy/jejunostomy tubes per 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
- ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (within 12 months of hire or transfer)
- RN: Registered Nurse (essential)
- BLS: Basic Life Support (within 1 month of hire or transfer, essential)
- DIMC: Dysrhythmia Interpretation Man (essential, within 12 months of hire or transfer)
- FINGERPRIN: Fingerprinting (essential)
- PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support (not essential)
- TNCC: Trauma Nurse Core Course or ATCN (not essential)
Required Education
Associate’s degree in Nursing is required; Bachelor’s degree in Nursing preferred. Education specialization: NRG.
Experience, Training and Skills
- Essential completion of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO) Course preferred.
- Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals and groups and interact with people at all levels.
- Must demonstrate knowledge, ability, and competence in treating unit‑specific patient populations.
- Must follow MyMichigan Health blood‑borne pathogen and TB testing as required.
- Must demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows.
- Specialty certification preferred.
Physical/Mental Requirements and Working Conditions
- Expose to stressful situations, public contact, trauma, grief, and death.
- Wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitutes.
- Move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and perform job functions as outlined.
- Overall vision and hearing necessary, with or without assisted device.
- Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods; may require postural changes such as stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
- Manage multiple tasks, work independently, and maintain regular attendance.
- Handle repetitive hand movements and require dexterity.
- Medium physical demand level: lift or carry 21‑50 lbs. 0‑33% of the workday; frequently 20 lbs. 34‑66% of the workday; walk/stand/push/pull 10 lbs. 67‑100% of the workday.
- Some exposure to blood‑borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material.
EEO Statement
MyMichigan Health is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other protected status.