Emergency Department RN

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes: pediatric, geriatric and the general population.
• Ability to monitor hemodynamic status of patient and correctly interpret the results,
• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring, identifies dysrhythmias and treats appropriately.
• Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses and assessment of changes.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patients served. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
• Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning. Family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Maintains current knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition.
• Prepares, hangs, monitors and discontinues IV fluids.
• Maintains established department policies and procedures, objectives, performance improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Maintains a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with Hospital standards.
• Assists in cost containment through the appropriate ordering and conserving of supplies and equipment.
• Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:
• Cooperates with other personnel to achieve departmental objectives; maintains good employee relations and interdepartmental objectives.
• Responds promptly to changes in workload, adjusting assignments as necessary to achieve optimal productivity and efficiency.
• Provides resource information to other staff.
• Demonstrates the ability to assist physicians with procedures in the Emergency Department.
• Supervises temporary employees and employees who do not supervise; allocates and monitors work of others; leads one or more employees performing similar work.
• Orients new employees to the Emergency Department.
• Assist the Emergency Department Nurse Manager in the development, impletion and evaluation of performance improvement indicators to improve patient outcomes and the work environment.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops; shows responsibility for own professional practice and ongoing education.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Employee adheres to and practices the standards of performance outlined in the Standards of Performance handbook.

Regulatory Requirements

• Completes annual educational requirements within the assigned time frame. 
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and Joint Commission regulations related to their department and, as appropriate, to the hospital. 
• FL License RN 
• BLS Certification 
• ACLS/PALS Certification dependent on department 

Professional Requirements

• Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and clean. 
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times. 
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner. 
• Is willing to receive constructive feedback to enhance self-improvement. 
• Completes work within designated time. 
• Attends and participates on hospital committees, as appropriate. 
• Wears required identification while on duty. 
• Does not avoid challenging tasks. 
• Assists in the training of students, co-workers or other personnel. 
• Relays important information to other staff/shifts to maintain consistency in operations. 
• Understands how to utilize the grievance process to resolve concerns. 

Language Skills

• Ability to read and communicate effectively in English. 

Computer Skills

• Demonstrates basic computer skills and knowledge consistent with the needs of their department.

Safety/Environment

• Knows the limitations of their license/certifications and does not practice outside these limitations. 
• Maintains cleanliness of equipment and department 
• Responsible for the safe handling of equipment as well as maintaining safety for themselves. 
• Knows the proper procedure for calling codes and the proper response for each code according to department protocol (i.e. fire, lock down, infant abduction, bomb threat, etc.) 
• Knows the proper procedure for reporting incidents involving the patient, visitor or employee. 
• Knows where to find MSDS information when needed. 
• Is aware of hazards and hazardous materials and how to maintain a safe environment.