Registered Nurse I

At Houston Methodist, the Registered Nurse (RN) I position a licensed staff nurse, may be an entry level nurse, functions at the Novice to Advanced Beginner stage of Benner's model of clinical practice. The RN I position demonstrates the ability to continuously progress in skill to care for increasingly complex patients, receiving coaching from experienced RNs and management and benefits from their practice. The position participates in unit initiatives and shared governance. The RN I position provides professional nursing care to a diverse patient population, conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment, patient education, and maintenance of medical records. This position collaborates with the physicians and interprofessional health care team to facilitate, coordinate, and maintain compassionate, efficient, quality care and achievement of desired treatment outcomes. The RN I position demonstrates clinical competency when providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures, and managing emergencies, acting as a patient and family advocate in order to monitor patient rights and needs. This position assures continuity of care through appropriate communication, discharge planning, patient education and coordination of services.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establishes a relationship with patients, families and the interprofessional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care by using progressive skills in therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching.

• Contributes to teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Seeks guidance from interprofessional health care team, when needed, and applies feedback to improve patient outcomes.

• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows the patient and family-centered care standards, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment and documentation/maintenance of medical records. Practices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles.

• Develops, updates, and communicates plan of care, including discharge, in partnership with the patient, family and interprofessional health care team, using the nursing process. Prioritizes care based on the patient's needs, abilities, and preferences. Advocates on patient/family's behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources.

• Provides patient education based on learning needs, uses appropriate resources, incorporating planning for care after discharge. Consistently evaluates the patient's comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly.

• Uses peer-to-peer accountability to contribute towards improving department score for patient satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows the standards of care related to the nursing process, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document.

• Follows the standards related to regulatory requirements and professional practice as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document.

• Provides and modifies care for increasingly complex patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional teams. Plans for routine events and progressively manages emergent situations in collaboration with the healthcare team.

• Contributes towards improving quality and safety targets through peer-to-peer accountability, focusing on the task at hand and reporting near misses.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Displays self-motivation to independently manage time effectively, timely document care, minimize incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks. Contributes towards meeting department financial targets through decreasing length of stay, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in unit evidence-based practice projects focused on innovation, efficiency or improvement in patient care and shared governance activities. Embraces and enacts new care pathways or service line implementation to improve service to the community.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs, consults with healthcare team experts, and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs, taking appropriate action. Pursues educational opportunities for professional growth and benefits the department through knowledge dissemination. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited School of Nursing

WORK EXPERIENCE

• No experience, with minimal clinical nursing experience preferred

• If less than six months of clinical nursing experience, must complete Houston Methodist nurse residency program

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 90 days or
• RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 90 days and
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) and
• Other credentials and certifications as defined by unit/service line

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Progression towards competent assessment, organizational and problem-solving skills as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components

• Progression towards demonstrating time management skills

• Ability to progress towards independence and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional healthcare team and patients and their families

• Progression towards critical thinking skills and clinical judgment to work as defined by the Nurse Practice Act

• Working knowledge of Microsoft products including Outlook

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas (two-way tie) and one of America’s “Best Hospitals.” As a full-service, acute-care hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, it has evolved into one of the nation’s largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodist’s primary academic affiliates are among the nation’s leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. With 948 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and more than 8,400 employees, Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.

Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

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