Clinical Nurse

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

The Emergency Room Clinical Nurse position is located in the Emergency Room under the Division of Nursing Service Branch of the Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care Sells Hospital. It provides care to patients presenting for emergency services.

Scope of Work:

Under general supervision, provides appropriate Emergency care to patients presenting to the Emergency Room involved in an injury and/or illness. Discharges patients from the Emergency Room in an orderly and safe manner. Communicates appropriately with the patient and all parties and agencies involved in the patient's care as needed, under the emergency department's Supervisory Nurse Specialist's general supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• As a health care team member, the Emergency Room nurse can work independently performing professional nursing care duties of emergent/ urgently/acutely ill and injured patients in an emergency care setting.
• Develops plans to provide direct care to clients, which involves assessing and evaluating applicable to emergent care, determining the nursing procedures and practices to be included, and periodic review of the plans to ensure achieved results.
• Interviews patient's family members, consult with attending physicians (when time permits), and ER physicians determine and evaluate appropriate/quality care for patients in life-threatening situations.
• Reviews and interprets findings to distinguish between normal and abnormal conditions during patient screening/triage.
• Interpret data obtained from observations, examinations, monitored findings, and lab values. Differentiates between normal and abnormal results and provides appropriate care interventions established by licensure, standards of practice, and clinic policy related to emergency care.
• Administer prescribed oral medications, hypodermic injections, intravenous (IV) fluid, blood transfusions, and oxygen therapy.
• Performs intravenous cannula insertion for V therapy and venipuncture for blood draws.
• Carries out emergent procedures and treatments as ordered/required; administers medication; observes and documents patient's conditions, changes, reactions, and results to medications and medical treatment.
• When assigned and as requested, provides guidance, direction, and training to other nursing personnel, EMTs, and paramedics.
• Maintains health records by documenting observations, interventions, and therapeutic measures administered in the Electronic Health Record or required patient care forms.
• To provide counseling and discharge instructions to patients and families or surrogates on preventive, curative, and rehabilitative measures involved in health care.
• Participate in the development and evaluation of standards of care and audit procedures required.
• Maintains professional knowledge and proficiency in nursing through applicable certification, continuing education, staff meetings, workshops, and serving on committees.
• Maintains professional knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), Joint Commission, and the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
• Knowledge of professional nursing care principles, practices, and procedures related to emergency patient care to assess and provide for patients' needs also involves considering the physical, emotional, spiritual, and socio-cultural aspects of health care.
• Knowledge of advanced trauma life support and cardiac life support care, practices, and skill to provide quality patient care and serve as a patient advocate.
• Knowledge of how the body systems relate to one another in restoring health.
• Knowledge of the pathologic conditions associated with a wide variety of health problems, conditions, and injuries.
• Knowledge of specialized assessments applicable to emergent care.
• Knowledge of highly developed nursing care management skills with potentially life-threatening health problems, conditions, and injuries.
• Knowledge of the health records aspect of patient care and accurately complete documents relating to clinical data.
• Knowledge of various specializations, including specialty care related to prenatal, postpartum, pediatric, trauma, cardiac, and emergency nursing, applies across the age continuum.
• Knowledge of diseases to recognize complications and required therapeutic interventions.
• Knowledge of pharmaceuticals and dosages to recognize their desired effects, side effects, and complications for their use.
• Knowledge of human behavior to exercise emotional control, tact, patience, and reliability in patients' care.
• Knowledge of available resources and processes designated for primary care and referral services.
• Skill in operating specialized medical equipment such as resuscitation, positive pressure machines, monitoring devices such as suctions pumps, intravenous infusion pumps, and any medical equipment used in the Emergency Room.
• Skill in computer use and Electronic Health Record applications.
• Ability to recognize adverse signs and symptoms that are not always apparent and promptly react in emergencies, including implementing life-saving procedures.
• Ability to develop and design care plans for emergent care patients.
• Ability to develop or participate in developing care plans to meet the patient's needs.
• Ability to provide individual and family counseling, guidance, and health instructions to help patients understand how to prevent disease and maintain good health.
• Knowledge of HIPPA and Privacy Act-related rules and regulations.
• Ability to be compassionate.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in verbal or written format.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise critical thinking skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships and other employees.Ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Ability to work independently and be a team player.
• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules.
• Ability to travel within the interior/exterior boundaries of the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State-accrediting agency where the applicant completed the program.
• One year of experience in an emergency room or critical care nursing is required.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Must have an active, current, and unrestricted license as a professional nurse in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
• Must have current Healthcare Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certifications.
• Current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is required upon hire.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certification is preferred upon hire; if not certified, must obtain certification within six months of employment.
• Must have a current immunization/statement, including proof of a non-reactive tuberculosis skin test within the last year, proof of immunity of hepatitis B proof (Documentation of immunization does not provide immunity, only a titer with a positive result) within three months of hire.
• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as a condition of employment.