REGISTERED NURSE

Registered professional nurse who promotes excellence in nursing practice by providing vascular access nursing care to patients in all age groups, cultures, psychosocial, spiritual and disability concerns.

* Inserts peripheral intravenous catheters and PICCs for patients using vascular visualization devices, including ultrasound.
* Consults with staff related to vascular access devices and complications of vascular access.
* Cares for and maintains vascular access devices and clinical interventions for PICC issues: including clearance of occluded catheters, removal of catheters with resistance, dressing protocols for skin issues.
* Provides unit-based education.
* Provides patient/family education.
* Participates in quality and process improvement projects.

Provides direct patient care to in/outpatients requiring sedation for but not limited to procedures and radiological exams.

* Administers conscious sedation (moderate sedation) per competency under direction of Provider. Accesses patients before, during, and after administration of conscious sedation and provides appropriate care.
* Assesses and provides appropriate teaching based on patient and family needs including pre/post sedation needs.

Renders direct and indirect outcome nursing care through the application of the nursing process; functions within policies, practice guidelines and nursing standards of SMH in accordance with the Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act, CDC and OSHA standards, and any other applicable regulatory or accreditation agency.

Education/Training:

* Successful completion of appropriate pretest/ exams, classroom orientation and precepted clinical orientation.
* Bachelor's degree in nursing is preferred.

Licenses/Certification:

* Current Massachusetts state RN license.
* BLS and ACLS certification required.
* VA-BC certification strongly preferred.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

* Minimum of 3 years of experience in acute care.
* Minimum of 2 years of experience inserting and caring for vascular access devices.
* Conscious sedation experience required.
* Excellent communication and customer services skills required.
* Successful completion of orientation and annual competencies.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

* Must meet all criteria associated with responsibilities detailed in this document and the core and position competencies for RNs;
* Must possess excellent interpersonal communication skills, command of verbal and written English; positive and good organizational skills, and adaptability, creating a favorable image in relationship to the Nursing department and the hospital as a whole;
* Must develop and maintain positive relationships across all areas of responsibility;
* Must visibly demonstrate commitment to customer relations and all basic concepts of continuous quality improvement and preventing error from reaching the patient;
* Provides timely, positive responses to the needs of all customers including patients, families, co-workers and physicians.

Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AGE AND DIVERSITY RELATED CRITERIA: Consistently treats patients, colleagues and visitors with the dignity and respect, while being sensitive to the differing needs of all age groups, backgrounds, characteristics and cultures.

ABILITY TO FULFILL JOB EXPECTATIONS: Must have the ability to the perform essential functions of the position, including required work hours, locations and physical demands, without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of themselves or other individuals in the work place, and with or without reasonable accommodation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must possess sound dexterity and visual acuity. Requires mental alertness, stamina to work in a fast-paced environment or in emergency situations. Ability to stand, sit, walk, bend, reach without restriction. Ability to lift between 25 and 50 pounds using good body mechanics. Must be able to push heavy equipment, stretchers, and wheelchairs. May be exposed to all patient care elements within the hospital setting. Must meet annual safety training requirements.

* Inserts peripheral intravenous catheters and PICCs for patients using vascular visualization devices, including ultrasound.
* Consults with staff related to vascular access devices and complications of vascular access.
* Cares for and maintains vascular access devices and clinical interventions for PICC issues: including clearance of occluded catheters, removal of catheters with resistance, dressing protocols for skin issues.
* Provides unit-based education.
* Provides patient/family education.
* Participates in quality and process improvement projects.

Provides direct patient care to in/outpatients requiring sedation for but not limited to procedures and radiological exams.

* Administers conscious sedation (moderate sedation) per competency under direction of Provider. Accesses patients before, during, and after administration of conscious sedation and provides appropriate care.
* Assesses and provides appropriate teaching based on patient and family needs including pre/post sedation needs.

Renders direct and indirect outcome nursing care through the application of the nursing process; functions within policies, practice guidelines and nursing standards of SMH in accordance with the Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act, CDC and OSHA standards, and any other applicable regulatory or accreditation agency.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

* Minimum of 3 years of experience in acute care.
* Minimum of 2 years of experience inserting and caring for vascular access devices.
* Conscious sedation experience required.
* Excellent communication and customer services skills required.
* Successful completion of orientation and annual competencies.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

* Must meet all criteria associated with responsibilities detailed in this document and the core and position competencies for RNs;
* Must possess excellent interpersonal communication skills, command of verbal and written English; positive and good organizational skills, and adaptability, creating a favorable image in relationship to the Nursing department and the hospital as a whole;
* Must develop and maintain positive relationships across all areas of responsibility;
* Must visibly demonstrate commitment to customer relations and all basic concepts of continuous quality improvement and preventing error from reaching the patient;
* Provides timely, positive responses to the needs of all customers including patients, families, co-workers and physicians.

Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AGE AND DIVERSITY RELATED CRITERIA: Consistently treats patients, colleagues and visitors with the dignity and respect, while being sensitive to the differing needs of all age groups, backgrounds, characteristics and cultures.

ABILITY TO FULFILL JOB EXPECTATIONS: Must have the ability to the perform essential functions of the position, including required work hours, locations and physical demands, without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of themselves or other individuals in the work place, and with or without reasonable accommodation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must possess sound dexterity and visual acuity. Requires mental alertness, stamina to work in a fast-paced environment or in emergency situations. Ability to stand, sit, walk, bend, reach without restriction. Ability to lift between 25 and 50 pounds using good body mechanics. Must be able to push heavy equipment, stretchers, and wheelchairs. May be exposed to all patient care elements within the hospital setting. Must meet annual safety training requirements.

Sturdy Memorial Hospital is an equal employment opportunity employer. There is no discrimination because of race, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status or disability.

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