RN - ED - Per Diem Nights - Los Alamitos

Job Summary

The Emergency Department Level I RN is a Registered Nurse who provides care to a diverse population of patients with perceived or actual physical/emotional alterations in health that are undiagnosed or require further intervention. Emphasis at this level is on learning and performing entry level nursing skills for patients who require episodic, primary or acute care.

Technical Skills/Job Specific Skills/*Essential Functions*

* Telephone Skills - demonstrates hospital telephone etiquette by answering the phones promptly, courteously and identifying department and self.
* Policies/Procedures - is aware of and follows all hospital and department policies and procedures.
* Team Work- promotes positive co-worker relationships through team work and cooperation. Understands and supports the needs of individuals in other departments and promotes conflict resolution. Shares information, work knowledge and experience with coworkers, physicians and students in a non-threatening manner. Offers assistance and promptly responds to requests.
* Productivity - maintains high productivity and performs efficiently regardless of whether the work volume is high or low. Appropriately prioritizes work activities. Responds to difficult situations with self-control and a positive attitude. Makes decisions independently and knows when to ask for assistance. Exercises good judgment and arrives at sound decisions.
* Documentation is accurate, complete and legible.
* The nurse's skills and knowledge base covers both the broad spectrums of diseases and preventative as well as life saving care.
* Establishes priorities and plan of care as determined by the initial physical and psychosocial assessment. Identifies nursing diagnoses, initiates interventions, evaluates and documents outcomes. Uses ongoing assessment to re-evaluate and prioritize patient and family needs.
* Determines the patient and family's understanding of the illness and readiness to learn. Provides and discusses aftercare instructions with the patient and family using age and educational appropriate instruction. Provides appropriate referrals to in-house and community agencies.
* Functions as a patient advocate, initiating actions to improve healthcare, promoting the patient needs and giving the patient the opportunity to make informed decisions related to healthcare. Recognizes situations in which there is an actual or potential self-care deficit and initiates contact with appropriate regulatory agencies for protection and/or follow-up.
* Provides a safe and therapeutic environment. Follows the hospital policy and procedure for Moderate Sedation and documents patient outcomes accordingly. Ensures that the patient's privacy is maintained and exercises clean/sterile technique, as applicable, throughout the entire procedure(s). Assesses the need for and provides pain relief measures as necessary.
* Understands, implements, and follows all health care rules and regulations as specified by Title 22, the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, and city, state, and county agencies.
* Able to implement Code Blue procedures per hospital policy
* Able to be a resource for unit secretaries, EMTs, LVNs and temporary nurses
* Demonstrates compliance and understanding of changes in healthcare regulations, the healthcare workforce and professional standards.
* Able to initiate physician/healthcare provider orders via electronic ordering systems and notify by telephonic means ancillary departments/physicians of the need for immediate lab work/consults.
* Able to access and download electronic patient files, patient data, and physician privileges as necessary.
* Attends at least 50% of team meetings and mandatory inservices. Reads and initials monthly team minutes and communication manuals.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

Customer Service - G.E.M Program (Go The Extra Mile)

* Takes personal responsibility for providing quality services every day.
* Displays outstanding customer service skills:
* Greets all customers warmly
* Makes eye contact
* Introduces self and calls patients/ customers by name
* Provides all assistance needed in a friendly and caring manner
* Looks for opportunities daily to "Go the Extra Mile" in not only meeting customer needs but exceeding expectations.
* Displays sensitivity to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any characteristic protected by law. Respects, accepts and anticipates spiritual and personal needs.
* Compassionate to patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.
* Demonstrates kindness, compassion, courtesy and respect.
* Demonstrates good listening skills.
* Demonstrates a willingness to help.
* Connection to patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.
* Greets and performs tasks with a smile.
* Practices the 5 fundamentals of communication (AIDE-T) (Acknowledge, Introduction, Duration, Explanation, and Thank you).
* Practices professional telephone courtesy.
* Communication to patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.
* Responds to patient's complaints/patient issues take priority.
* Accepts responsibility for actions.
* Demonstrates communication excellence.
* Caring and professional with patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.
* A team player and "spotlights" other members of the team.
* Lends a helping hand to co-workers without being asked.
* Keeps the workplace clean and neat.
* Offers to escort visitors to their destination.
* Refrains from personal conversations in front of patients, families or visitors.
* Maintains a positive, professional attitude.



Key Success Factors

* Attendance - Employee reports to work each regularly scheduled workday. Accurately records all work time including meal periods.
* Punctuality - Is ready for work at precise starting time and continues working until scheduled departure time. Returns on time from all break and meal periods.
* General Work Habits - Readily accepts work assignments in a positive manner. Performs work that is accurate, timely, neat and consistent. Documentation is legible.
* Safety- Keeps work area neat and maintains equipment in accordance with health and safety codes. Reports safety issues and equipment failures appropriately
* Appearance - Projects a professional image, follows the hospital dress code policy and/or department requirements. Wears hospital ID badge at all times on duty.
* Confidentiality - Sensitive information including, but not limited to, patient records, charts, hospital documents and employee information is kept confidential without exception. Verifies patient information is provided to appropriate party, i.e. patient discharge information, fax to doctor's office, etc.
* Annual Requirements - Completes annual requirements (PPD, health requirements, Annual Update, Ethics training, licensure and/or professional certification) on time.

Training And Experience

Mandatory:

* Current California RN License, Current ACLS, BLS and PALS certifications
* Current Nonviolent Crisis Intervention certification or within three (3) months of hire and renewed annually
* Completion of basic Emergency Nursing Course*, Completion of Basic Cardiac Dysrhythmia Course*
* Waived for Individual's with previous documented ED Employment who are able to demonstrate written and/or performance based proficiency with in 30 days of start date.

Preferred:

* Membership in a professional organization
* Six (6) months recent experience as an RN in an acute care facility

Physical Requirements

* Must be able to walk and stand for long periods of time.
* Must be able to lift, position and turn patients using proper body mechanics
* Must have visual and auditory acuity of responsibilities listed.