The Staff Nurse is accountable for interpreting the plan of medical care, assessment of patients clinical decision-making regarding nursing care, assuring nursing care is provided in a safe and competent manner, providing individualized nursing care, and evaluating nursing care for groups of patients. The Staff Nurse provides clinical supervision to LPNs, Nursing Aides, and Nursing Service Clerks where applicable.
• Takes report from the prior shift and gives report to the oncoming shift, including patient condition, diagnosis, treatments, procedures provided and required, and other aspects of the plan of care.
• Performs patient assessments and reassessments.
• Reviews ancillary service reports, communicates abnormal results to physicians, and notifies supervisors and physicians when ancillary services are not completed.
• Interprets the medical plan of care, evaluates patients, and develops patient care plans.
• Plans for patient discharge utilizing available resources and addressing continuum of care needs.
• Refers patients to chaplains, social workers, and outside agencies as appropriate.
• Provides a safe and secure environment for patients.
• Implements the patient plan of care by assigning tasks to nursing and non-nursing personnel and continuously assessing and evaluating patient responses to care.
• Performs nursing treatments, procedures, and total patient care requiring advanced nursing skill and judgment in accordance with established nursing standards.
• Accompanies physicians on rounds when possible, communicates pertinent patient information, and assists with treatments and procedures or delegates as appropriate.
• Performs specialized procedures for which specific training and supervised experience have been obtained.
• Plans for and provides effective patient and family education.
• Assists patients in performing activities of daily living.
• Notifies supervisors, physicians, and/or family members or guardians when patient conditions change.
• Documents pertinent findings, plans of care, and evaluations of care in the medical record.
• Prepares and maintains reports, charts, records, and forms as required by hospital, state, and federal regulations.
• May accompany patients who are transferred to another medical facility.
• Observes and evaluates work performed by LPNs, Nursing Aides, and Clerks to ensure treatments and procedures are completed according to the plan of care and hospital guidelines.
• Participates in teaching activities for hospital personnel and nursing students.
• Participates in the orientation of new employees.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Participates in committee meetings as requested.
• Attends in-service programs as required.
• Assumes responsibility for personal professional development.
• Assists in the development, review, and revision of nursing policies and procedures.
• Operates critical care equipment, including respirators, temporary pacemakers, defibrillators, and other emergency equipment.
• Sets up, maintains, and interprets cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring equipment and takes appropriate nursing actions.
• Performs specialized procedures including:
• Endotracheal suctioning
• Tracheostomy suctioning and care
• Extubation
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Arterial punctures
• Chest tube and Pleurevac care
• Setup and assistance with peritoneal dialysis
• Paracentesis
• Thoracentesis
• Respects the dignity and confidentiality of all matters relating to patients.
• Participates in educational programs to support professional growth and development.
• Provides direction and assistance to assigned personnel.
• Determines which nursing acts may be delegated and to whom.
• Monitors delegated nursing activities and evaluates the effectiveness of care provided.
• Ensures individuals performing delegated nursing acts have proper education, training, and demonstrated competency.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Graduation from a State accredited or approved School of Nursing.
• Must maintain current licensure in the state of practice.
• Prior to assignment as the sole RN provider, the nurse must successfully complete a critical care course acceptable to the Director of Nursing and demonstrate mastery of equipment, diagnostic responsibilities, and procedures required of the critical care nurse.
• Critical care coursework shall include:
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and management of an obstructed airway.
• EKG interpretation.
• Drug therapy, including emergency drug therapy via the I.V. route or routes normally left to the physician.
• Hemodynamic monitoring.
• Critical care procedures.
• The nurse shall be adequately oriented to policies, procedures, and equipment.
• Orientation shall include safety procedures, infection control practices, and performance improvement activities.
• Current nursing licensure in the state of practice required.
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