Scope of responsibilities and accountability:
- Practices within the scope of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and approved Center policies and procedures.
- Provides complete documentation in all areas of care
- Implements all physician orders and assists the physician as directed.
- Maintains positive working relationships with physicians, manager, and peers.
- Maintains equipment and endoscopy center facilities in a highly functional state.
- Reports directly to Nurse Manager and/or designee.
Major activities and essential job functions:
- Responsible for direct patient care: assess the physical and psychosocial status of patients through review of data, direct observation, vital sign monitoring and/or consultation with other health care providers in order to provide optimal care pre-procedure, during procedure and post-procedure.
- Responsible for protecting confidential and/or privileged information according to Center policy.
- Promotes and supports patient/family-centered care.
- Maintains a safe environment for the patient receiving conscious sedation by assessing, monitoring and evaluating condition of the patient pre-procedure, during the procedure and post-procedure.
- Prepare specimens for lab and document.
- Documentation: maintains accurate and complete medical records which reflect the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care and any other pertinent information related to the endoscopic procedure.
- Patient Education: identifies educational needs of patients and/of families related to understanding of diagnosis, procedure and treatment plan. Promotes compliance with treatment plan by answering questions and discussing patient’s and/or families’ concerns. Responsible for insuring patient meets discharge criteria and that patient/significant other is provided with discharge instructions.
- Will utilize electronic charting throughout patient visit.
- Participates in orientation of new employees and my function as a preceptor.
- Adheres to infection control principles and applies universal precautions according to Center standards.
- Performs other duties as assigned, including charge nurse responsibilities.
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Position Qualifications
- Graduate of an approved School of Nursing, with current license to practice as an R.N. in the state of Ohio.
- 1+ year of experience in direct patient care as an R.N.
- Special training and/or experience in endoscopic procedures preferred.
- Effective communication and listening skills.
- Ability to delegate appropriately and supervise patient care delivery.
- Effective understanding and use of the English language.
- Must be flexible with working schedule and have ability to work occasional overtime.
- Ability to use modern business communication, and office systems
- Knowledge of various computer programs, including internet experience. Electronic Medical Records experience preferred.
- Willingness to learn new tasks, be cross-trained in the center and be flexible with work load, including assisting co-workers
Regulatory Requirements/Risks/Exposures
- Works with chemicals including, but not limited to, chlorine bleach, glutaraldehyde and fomalin
- Physical demand requirements meet those defined as HEAVY work, exerting 50–100 pounds of force occasionally, 25–50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 1–20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
On-going job expectations & competency
- In addition to the above, on-going job expectations of the Center R.N. are as follows:
• Maintain CEUs for licensure
• Orient to new procedures and equipment
• Responsible for maintaining current BCLS and ACLS.
• Maintain annual fire safety/general safety training
• Maintain annual OSHA-TB
• Maintain annual OSHA Blood-borne Pathogen
• Maintain annual PPD skin test or TB Screening Form
• Maintain annual competency in conscious sedation
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement Program
• Must complete annual performance evaluation and return in a timely manner, including competency skills checklist
• Attends and participated in at least 75% of staff meetings and reviews minutes of those meetings not attended
• Seeks professional development opportunities based on individual learning or developmental needs