Description

General Summary of Position
Professional care provider who assesses plans implements and evaluates the nursing care of patients from admission through discharge. In collaboration with the patient and family provides theory-based professional nursing care and coordinates care delivery with various members of the interdisciplinary team.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies procedures quality standards safety standards and MedStar SPIRIT Values. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
• Collects and analyzes significant patient's information that pertains to physical psychological socio-cultural economic spiritual and life-style behaviors and efficiently leveraging available technology.
• Functions autonomously providing relationship-based care that promotes continuous consistent efficient and accountable delivery of nursing care using the nursing process with a favorable focus on patient experience.
• Identifies current and potential complex problems of specific patient populations critically analyzes trends and changes in patient status and plans appropriate interventions.
• Incorporates evidence-based practice and research into patient care delivery with a focus on quality and safety.
• Serves as a patient advocate by independently communicating clinical concerns including ethical decisions in a timely manner to other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Practices within legal boundaries of nurse practice act and possesses a theoretical understanding of the universal ethical principles. Recognizes ethical discourse in practice and may seek other resources in advocacy for support and counsel.
• Individualizes patients plan of care focusing on short and long-range goals and effectively uses a variety of teaching resources to meet the learning needs of patients and families.
• Communicates patient information clearly and accurately in verbal and written format.
• Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment. Identifies actual and potential patient safety issues and acts accordingly while incorporating HRO quality and safety principles.
• Demonstrates effective leadership behaviors. Establishes priorities and delegates tasks to peers and ancillary staff as appropriate to scope of practice and unit requirements.
• Effectively uses problem identification and resolution skills focusing on the clinical scenario to resolve the apparent concern. Follows the chain of command by consulting with other healthcare professionals and seeks assistance as needed.
• Independently communicates concerns in a timely manner and makes suggestions to members of the interdisciplinary team by seeking and using resources effectively.
• Evaluates the patient's response to treatment and progress toward short and long-range goals and revises nursing interventions as appropriate.
• Identifies patient and family needs prior to discharge. Initiates and monitors discharge planning activities in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Independently identifies resources and strategies to enhance professional growth and development and commits to life-long learning.
• Supports and contributes to the unit department entity and organizational goals inclusive of the mission vision and values.
• Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

Minimal Qualifications
Education

• Associate's degree in Nursing from an accredited academic nursing program required
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited academic nursing program preferred
• If prepared at the associate degree in nursing level required to enroll in a BSN program within 12 months of hire date and completion within 4 years of hire date.

Experience

• 1-2 years RN experience required

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in the state or jurisdiction of the facility seeking employment or Multistate Compact state or license eligible. required
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.
• C-EFM - Electronic Fetal Monitoring from the National Certification Corporation (NCC) is required for Perinatal nurses (labor and delivery antepartum antenatal testing) within 12 months from date of hire. New graduate nurses or new to specialty nurses (labor and delivery antepartum antenatal testing) will have 15 months from date of hire to obtain the EFM certification.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Basic math skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Basic computer skills