at Memorial Health System in Springfield, Illinois, United States
Job Description
- $15,000 SIGN ON BONUS OPTION *
Responsible for the care of a designated group of patients in a structured setting through the appropriate utilization of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Provides care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his/her assigned unit. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development relative to patients served and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies, procedures, and standards of care. Participates in research when appropriate and incorporates research findings into clinical practice. In addition, perform “scrub”, first assistant, or circulator duties for scheduled surgeries, assist with the draping, and utilization of instruments for a particular surgery when scrubbing or first assisting. Knowledgeable in the principles of sterile technique and sterilization procedures.
Education:
+ BSN preferred
+ Completion of a RNFA program required or licensure as an APRN
Licensure/Certification/Registry:
+ Licensed as an RN in the State of Illinois required.
+ Current CPR certification required.
+ Current ACLS certification required or obtained within 90 days of hire
+ CNOR certification preferred.
Experience:
+ Minimum one year experience working as a Surgical Tech/First Assistant or OR nurse required
+ Experience harvesting endoscopic leg vein and/or radial artery preferred
Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
+ In order to perform safely in a direct patient care role, the RN must be able to position and/or transfer an average adult patient and possess gross coordination sufficient to perform other patient care duties as required. Must be able to withstand prolonged periods of standing. Must be able to perform difficult manipulative skills such as IV insertion and IM injections.
+ Environmental working conditions include exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue, contagious diseases and/or radioactive or other potentially hazardous materials.
+ Attends all JCAHO, OSHA, and hospital/nurse manager specified mandatory in-services.
Commitment to the Profession
1. Participates in establishing and improving the standards of nursing practice (including—but not limited to-MMC patient care guidelines, policies and procedures and national specialty standards of nursing care.)
a. Understands and utilizes written standards of nursing practice.
2. Exhibits self-direction for identifying professional goals and learning needs. Shares professional knowledge through collaboration and education.
a. Develops and implements a plan to meet identified needs. Shares nursing practice knowledge with peers.
3. Demonstrates awareness of unit, organizational and public policies that effect health care delivery and nursing practice.
a. Demonstrates awareness of and utilizes unit and Nursing Division policies in daily practice.
Autonomy
1. Demonstrates professional judgment and accountability; clarifies and promotes differentiated nursing practice.
a. Demonstrates accountability for practice which supports Nursing Division Mission/Vision and Core Beliefs. Daily performance reflects nursing scope of practice/licensure.
Appropriately delegates components of patient care.
Aims to provide nursing care that exemplifies best in practice.2. Exhibits creativity, flexibility, and effectiveness.
a. Demonstrates creative, flexible and effective problem-solving techniques. Identifies and refers atypical/complex problems to appropriate persons in a timely manner.
Responsibility to Society
1. Provides outcome-focused health care in a cost-effective, resource-efficient manner.
a. Appropriately utilizes time and resources (equipment, supplies, personnel, etc.) to minimize costs of patient services and achieve established clinical outcomes. Integrates continuous quality improvement (CQI) concepts into daily practice. Actively participates in CQI data collection.
2. Encourages health and safety in the work environment.
a. Demonstrates compliance with the health and safety principles necessary to avoid/prevent injury to self/others.
3. Demonstrates accountability for the legal/ethical standards of nursing practice.
a. Practices within established legal/ethical guidelines of nursing practice. Supports the patient’s/significant other’s rights of self-determination.
Expertise
1. Uses the nursing process:
a. Cares for designated group of patients as follows:
- Demonstrates knowledge and clinical competence necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient type and individual needs of patients served on the assigned unit.
- Applies knowledge of growth and development relative to patients served.
- Appropriately and consistently documents on the Patient Profile.
- Completes holistic patient assessments and demonstrates in-depth and complete knowledge of assigned patients’ stories.
- Utilizes assessment data to identify appropriate independent and interdependent guidelines of care.
- Establishes mutuality with patient by developing and implementing an individualized plan of care.
- Identifies learning needs of patients/significant others and implements appropriate interventions.
- Documents and evaluates the plan of care, interventions, and patient responses.
- Utilizes ClinDoc and Surginet electronic documentation to communicate the patient’s story and plan of care in exchange of shift reports to ensure continuity of care.
Uses appropriate interpersonal skills.- Consistently acts and communicates in a professional manner that enhances patient/family/employee/ physician satisfaction. Discourages gossip and complaining with and about others. Consistently responds constructively to difficult situations and/or conflicts. Promotes team effectiveness.
c. Shares professional knowledge and expertise via participation in research and/or publication activities.
- Demonstrates awareness of nursing research as it applies to changes in clinical practice and/or assists in the identification of nursing research opportunities. Complies with established research protocols and data collection processes.
d. Facilitates and supports constructive change within the system.
- Verbally and non-verbally demonstrates a willingness to participate in organizational changes. Seeks additional information to clarify perceptions regarding changes and offers constructive feedback.
Specialized Responsibilities
1. Initiates appropriate intraoperative behaviors unique to first assistant:
a. Provides hemostasis to reduce potential for post-operative infection and potential for fluid-volume deficit by clamping and/or ligating vessels, using electrosurgical cautery, applying direct pressure, applying chemical agents that promote coagulation, and other means as directed by surgeon.
Provides exposure of the operative site through the appropriate use of retractors and other instruments and through suctioning and sponging.c. Uses surgical instrumentation skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose as directed by the surgeon.
d. Handles all varieties of tissue appropriately to reduce potential for injury or compromised blood supply.
e. Sutures skillfully all varieties of tissue with the appropriate suture, materials and suturing techniques.
f. Interacts with perfusion in getting patient ready for bypass and able to assist surgeon with cannulation.
g. Must be proficient in a circulator, scrub, and first assistant role.
h. Reviews patient positioning; makes recommendations to surgical team based on individual patient needs and surgical requirements.
Coordinates the surgical team in appropriate dr