RN, Neuro, Full Time, First Shift

Patient Population

• Engages in population appropriate communication.
• Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.
• Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment.
• Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment and continuing care of the patient.
• Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.
• Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from, unique psychological needs or those associated with religious / cultural norms.
• Performs treatments, administers medication or operates equipment safely.
• Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Assessment

• Demonstrates nursing clinical skills necessary to make pertinent and accurate assessments of the physical, psychosocial, spiritual and educational needs of the patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge base of normal age-specific, physiological and psychosocial functions of the unit’s population.
• Performs a basic physical assessment.
• Initiates upon admission, a nursing admission history and nursing assessment including an educational needs assessment.
• Initiates referrals upon admission and throughout care as based on patient assessment.
• Understands signs and symptoms and data related to the patient’s presenting problems and potential problems.
• Reassesses and evaluates patient needs each shift and more frequently when indicated by unit standards of care or patient condition.
• Accurately and concisely documents nursing process, including evaluation of treatment.
• Documents according to UC Health policy and procedures.
• Documents plan of care reflective of collaborative practice with other health care team members.
• Documents patient/family/designee teaching and response appropriately.

Planning

• Utilizes collected data to establish and prioritize a list of actual, and potential, individualized age-specific patient problems and/or needs.
• Prepares, implements, evaluates, revises and coordinates interdisciplinary plan of care for each assigned patient in a collaborative effort with the other health care team members and patient/family within the time frame indicated by unit’s standards of practice.
• Communicates formulated plan of care, as appropriate, to all levels of associates involved in the patient’s care.
• Establishes priorities of care based on patients’ assessment and needs.

Implementation

• Implements plan of care and interventions to provide quality care based on assessed needs, established standards of care and according to policy and procedures.
• Implements nursing actions, either by direct care or delegation of responsibility, based upon patient’s plan of care and skill level of personnel.
• Implements plan of nursing care in collaboration with the patient, family/designee, and other health care team members.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and accountability in evaluating and implementing of physician.
• Demonstrates competency for medication administration as allowed by licensure and institution policy.
• Able to recognize emergent situations and implement emergency measures.
• Demonstrates professional manner during emergent situations.
• Bases upon nursing assessment, makes appropriate referrals to other health care team members in a timely manner.
• Implements safety interventions to maintain patient/family/staff safety.
• Reports actual and potential patient safety issues.
• Demonstrates competency in infection control measures.

Professional Development

• Affords responsibility for personal professional development and contributes to the professional development of peers, colleagues and others.
• Participates in unit or department staff meetings.
• Utilizes learning opportunities on the unit for improvement of self and others.
• Identifies personal strengths and weaknesses as a professional nurse.
• Takes initiatives in professional growth in regards to identified weaknesses.
• Maintains individual competency in nursing practice.
• Completes all educational, certification and regulatory requirements, submits required tests and paperwork in a timely manner.
• Involves in best practice recommendations and implementation to improve patient care at the unit or department level.
• Evaluates nursing practice by participating in self/peer review and performance improvement activities.

Leadership

• Effectively manages care through others.
• Demonstrates time management when providing patient care.
• Demonstrates flexibility and a cooperative attitude to meet the needs of the unit.
• Acts as a resources person and mentor for new personnel, floater, and/or supplemental staff working on the unit.
• May function as a preceptor.
• Appropriately delegates to ancillary staff; communicates effectively.

Productivity

• Considers factors related to cost and effective outcomes when planning patient care.
• Manages workload effectively.
• Initiates care in a timely manner.
• Answers and responds to patient requests or call lights promptly when applicable.
• Supports effective use of staff and supplies.