Registered Nurse (RN) - PHP/IOP - PRN

Schedule

PRN — as-needed coverage when clinic is open (Monday–Friday). No set hours or consistent days. Typical shift: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

About the role

The registered nurse (RN, RN II, RN III) performs professional nursing activities in the care of patients so they may achieve or regain, and then maintain, maximum physical, emotional, or social functions. Role functions are governed by the Nurse Practice Act, the Administrative Code (in the state of employment), professional standards for nursing practice, and the corresponding policies and procedures of Rogers Memorial Hospital. The registered nurse seeks consultation with other members of the health team as the patient’s condition and treatment goals warrant and, in conjunction with the Patient Accounts department, provides patient information to ensure compliance with federal and state statutes.

Responsibilities

• Complete initial assessments and documentation as required, collecting, recording, and analyzing pertinent admission data within prescribed timeframes, including:
  • Patient strengths and limitations relevant to health goals
  • Cultural, spiritual, and ethnic factors impacting treatment
  • Discharge planning needs
  • Medical/physical status
  • Medication compliance history, reactions, and current schedule
  • Age-specific data regarding individual needs
• Involve patient’s support systems (family, friends) in assessment and documentation; observe and document patient interactions with support systems; obtain assessment data from support systems when appropriate
• Act as a patient advocate: explain rights, obtain signatures on consents, protect privacy and confidentiality, assist in orientation, follow unit safety and contraband-search policies respectfully, remain sensitive to admission stressors
• Initiate and update treatment plans and documentation:
  • Participate in planning/modifying the plan of care
  • Evaluate data from multidisciplinary assessments
  • Participate in care conferences and represent nursing care component
  • Develop/interpret plan of care with patient/family, updating as indicated
  • Write clear, concise, obtainable treatment goals for each problem
  • Review treatment plan as goals are achieved, changed, or updated
• On an ongoing basis, identify, interpret, and document information from nursing interviews, observations, physical assessments, and diagnostic data; confer with other healthcare professionals as appropriate
• Review current lab data and follow up with physician; evaluate fall risk and initiate precautions; identify potential for self-abuse, suicidality, assaultive behavior; develop age-appropriate interventions; assess changes in patient status and document interventions
• Implement patient care:
  • Demonstrate safe, correct medication administration (five rights), maintain current medication knowledge, accurately transcribe/implement orders, monitor for adverse reactions/interactions, conduct/document patient medication education, maintain knowledge of new pharmacologic products
  • Identify potential care problems, abrupt changes, or impending instability; exercise leadership to intervene and prevent adverse outcomes
  • Use appropriate de-escalation techniques (quiet room, locked seclusion, restraints); re-evaluate safety level
  • Identify alcohol withdrawal syndrome, extrapyramidal side-effects/neuroleptic malignant syndrome signs, significant cardiac/respiratory symptoms requiring immediate intervention
• Identify health education needs of patient/family for discharge; implement age-appropriate teaching interventions; document in patient record and treatment plan
• Organize patient care activities per patient priorities, unit needs, and time constraints; implement care per established plans, policies, and standards incorporating age-specific and cultural needs
• As requested and contingent on QMP designation, ensure admissions, transfers, and related activities comply with EMTALA and associated regulations
• Adhere to Nursing department and Hospital standards of practice and patient care; protect patients, visitors, and staff from environmental hazards via safety and infection control standards
• Participate in continuing education and in-service programs; report continuing education information to unit staff; attend 100% of required in-services
• Participate in Performance Improvement program on an ongoing basis
• Assist in development/implementation of unit standards of care (safety levels, unit safety/hazardous items, Kardex, standard care plans)
• Identify problems with unit systems, communication, and resources impacting patient care; suggest solutions to Clinical Services manager
• Identify unit educational equipment and supply needs
• Serve on one unit-based committee or participate in unit-based projects; participate as a project leader
• Carry out leadership functions in patient care, staff operations, and department organization:
  • Contribute to Nursing and Hospital functions through committee participation and meeting attendance
  • Take initiative in evaluating/upgrading unit standards of care
• Assume Charge Nurse role:
  • Coordinate unit activities; lead in crisis situations; facilitate admissions
  • Communicate unit status and projected needs
  • Manage therapeutic milieu with sound clinical judgment
  • Plan patient care assignments for continuity based on patient needs, unit activity, staff qualifications
  • Maintain orderly unit; serve as role model for communication, teaching, leadership
  • Supervise/delegate to LPN/psychiatric technician per their preparation and abilities
  • Provide complete acuity monitors to Patient Accounts for accurate billing
  • Maintain primary caseload per unit standards and direct patient care
• Participate in projects, tasks, and continuing education to improve professional skills and unit/department systems:
  • Develop professional growth goals with Clinical Services manager
  • Take initiative in continuing education
  • Discuss progress toward work improvement goals regularly
  • Seek projects/extra tasks based on unit or shift needs
• Promote department goals and Hospital mission:
  • Communicate goals to staff; demonstrate measurable achievement
  • Maintain department policies/procedures; include external agency requirements (Joint Commission, state)
  • Maintain/communicate function backlog at set times
  • Educate new staff on regulations/requirements as directed
  • Accept and train student interns as directed
• Demonstrate understanding of Joint Commission and other regulatory compliance:
  • Learn and apply standards relevant to Nursing department
  • Participate in in-services/seminars/meetings to increase regulatory awareness
  • Educate other disciplines on Nursing department regulations
• Participate in Hospital committees, performance improvement teams, and projects as directed:
  • Demonstrate punctuality, preparedness, effective communication, organizational skills
  • Contribute positively in a solution-focused manner
• Participate in Performance Improvement program:
  • Gain understanding of PI process; apply PI model to department activities
  • Participate/create PI teams leading to Hospital-wide improvements
  • Educate and involve self in Hospital and Nursing PI plans
• Conduct self professionally:
  • Demonstrate organizational skills for timely responses and task completion
  • Communicate positively and professionally with all individuals
  • Resolve peer issues calmly with solution focus; communicate concerns with solutions
  • Attend internal/external seminars for professional growth
  • Maintain positive, professional attitude toward patients, families, visitors, vendors
  • Comply with Hospital policies (HR, Infection Control, Employee Health)
  • Use courteous, cooperative, respectful behavior with all stakeholders
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of Hospital/department policies
  • Show consistent professional accountability via follow-through on patient and organizational concerns
  • Support staffing/scheduling changes when patient care needs require
  • Accept reassignment positively; adjust schedule when able to meet patient needs
  • Recognize need for support, seek assistance, offer assistance to peers
  • Project professional image with appropriate attire

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) preferred
• Registered nurse license from the State Board of Nursing in the state of employment; license must be in good standing
• American Health Association (certification name incomplete in source)