Staff Nurse IV - Inpatient

Approximate salary: $11,817 - $14,363/month. Full-time position.

About the role

This recruitment is being used to fill multiple vacancies at San Joaquin General Hospital and to establish an eligible list for future vacancies. Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a background investigation, drug screening, and physical.

Responsibilities

• Initiate the nursing process and perform advanced-level clinical patient care, including complex and difficult therapeutic measures prescribed by medical authority within the limits of the Nurse Practice Act and department policy; participate in preparation and implementation of written nursing care plans for individual patients.
• Evaluate the total nursing needs of the patient including physical, psychological, spiritual, cultural, and socio-economic; participate in planning, coordinating, and administering total patient care; evaluate symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• May function as a first-level supervisor in an outpatient clinic or program over paraprofessional or clerical staff; select, assign, train, direct, evaluate, and discipline staff; participate in the development of unit policies and procedures; assist with development and maintenance of the department budget.
• May provide crisis intervention and consult with the therapeutic multidisciplinary team in reviewing patient progress and success of treatment plans.
• Facilitate insurance billing and other reimbursement-related procedures by processing appropriate paperwork and making necessary internal and external contacts.
• Work with patients and families through teaching, counseling, and other methodology to help them understand, cope with, and accept illness, treatment, and therapy; assist in self-care strategies.
• Serve as a preceptor for new employees by orienting, teaching, participating in the evaluation process, and serving as a role model and resource person.
• Maintain records of patient's health care treatment and/or hospital stay; prepare reports and standard forms.
• May function as a charge nurse in an inpatient unit; assume full responsibility for the supervision of a shift in the absence of a Staff Nurse V or Nursing Department Manager; supervise and assist nursing personnel in the performance of patient care.
• Maintain and update knowledge base and nursing skills by reading literature, attending workshops, lectures, conferences, and classes as required by the Administration of the Department of Health Care Services.
• Participate in the identification of staff development needs for members of the Nursing staff.
• Participate on committees as assigned; may represent the Department of Health Care Services to outside agencies.
• Prepare and present, within established guidelines, clinical projects as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge

• Theory, techniques, and practices of nursing; new developments in patient care, particularly in area of specialization.
• Skills specific to clinical scope of practice; the nursing process; nursing staffing patterns.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision; health care safety principles and practices.

Abilities

• Supervise and assist members of the health care team; maintain a high standard of care.
• Deal with patients empathetically and respectfully while performing treatments prescribed.
• Instruct patients in self-care and preventative health strategies; follow oral and written instructions of technical and professional nature accurately.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; provide effective customer service.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare routine reports; develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
• Coordinate several types of services necessary for appropriate care; assist other staff in understanding current psycho-physiological aspects of illness.
• Set priorities; work accurately under pressure; interpret policies and procedures.
• Teach clinical skills; develop basic teaching plans; participate effectively in performance improvement processes.
• Provide and promote a positive learning environment.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Mobility: Constant walking; frequent operation of a keyboard; standing for long periods of time, pushing/pulling, bending and squatting; occasional sitting for long periods of time, running, climbing stairs, and climbing.
• Frequency of Lifting: Frequent restraining, lifting/turning of heavy objects or people.
• Visual Requirements: Constant need for overall vision, color and depth perception, hand/eye coordination, and field of vision/peripheral vision; frequent reading and close-up work.
• Dexterity: Frequent holding, reaching, grasping, repetitive motion, and writing.
• Hearing/Talking: Constant hearing of normal speech; frequent hearing and talking on telephone or radio; occasional hearing of faint sounds and talking over public address.
• Emotional/Psychological Factors: Constant concentration and public contact; occasional exposure to hazardous materials, frequent exposure to emergency situations, including trauma, grief, and death; decision-making, working weekends and nights; occasional work at heights, working alone, and overtime.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to assaultive behavior by clients; occasional exposure to noise, cold/heat, hazardous materials, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, and poor ventilation.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Choice of three health plans (Kaiser, Select, Premier). Employees pay a portion of the premium; dependent coverage available.
• Dental Insurance: Choice of two dental plans (Delta Dental, United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan). No cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage available at employee’s expense.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). No cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage available at employee’s expense.
• Life Insurance:
  • 1 but less than 3 years of service: $1,000
  • 3 but less than 5 years of service: $3,000
  • 5 but less than 10 years of service: $5,000
  • 10+ years of service: $10,000
  Employees may purchase additional term life insurance up to $200,000 at the group rate.
• 125 Flexible Benefits Plan: Voluntary program allowing pre-tax dollars for health-related expenses (Health Flexible Spending Account: $2,550 annual limit with $500 carryover) and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan: $5,000 annual limit).
• Retirement Plan: Covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Visit SJCERA for details.
• Deferred Compensation: Plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. Annual contribution limit: $22,500 (or 100% of includible compensation, whichever is less). Individuals age 50+ may contribute up to $30,000. Roth IRA (after-tax) also available.
• Vacation: 15 days per year up to 10 years of service; 20 days after 10 years; 23 days after 20 years. Accrual rate prorated for part-time employees eligible for benefits.
• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year.
• Educational Leave: 40 hours per fiscal year for full-time employees (24 hours for part-time employees eligible for benefits). Not carried beyond the fiscal year.
• Sick Leave: 12 working days annually with unlimited accumulation. Eligible for 8 hours of administrative leave if leave balance equals at least half of cumulative accrual and employee is on payroll the entire calendar year.
• Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member; 2 additional days for death of a spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child.
• Merit Salary Increase: New employees start at the first step of the salary range. Eligible for a merit increase to the next step after 52 weeks (2,080 hours) on each step (1,840 hours for part-time employees).
• Standby Pay: Employees designated for standby status are compensated at 33.33% of their regular hourly rate.
• Educational Supplement: Nurses meeting specific criteria receive a 5% supplement of their base salary:
  • For classifications requiring an Associate’s Degree in Nursing: possession of a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (or a Bachelor’s in Psychology/Social Work for Mental Health nurses).
  • For classifications requiring a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing: possession of a Master’s of Science in Nursing.
  • Possession of National or approved International certification in the specialty.