Job Abstract

Updated: Apr 12, 2024
Location: Los Alamitos
Job Type:
Department: DOU-LOM

Job Summary

Orientates to the planning and provision of nursing care to patients in the step down unit. Accurately interprets ECG rhythm and manages care of patients during life threatening emergencies in populations served. Orientates to the supervision and delegation of care responsibilities to ancillary personnel commensurate with their scope of practice.

Technical Skills/Job Specific Skills/*Essential Functions*

1. Telephone Skills - Demonstrates hospital telephone etiquette by answering the phones promptly, courteously and identifying department and self.
2. Policies/Procedures - Is aware of and follows all hospital and department policies and procedures.
3. Team Work - Promotes positive co-worker relationships through team work and cooperation. Understands and supports the needs of individuals in other departments and promotes conflict resolution. Shares information, work knowledge and experience with coworkers, physicians and students in a non-threatening manner. Offers assistance and promptly responds to requests.
4. Productivity - Maintains high productivity and performs efficiently regardless of whether the work volume is high or low. Appropriately prioritizes work activities. Responds to difficult situations with self-control and a positive attitude. Makes decisions independently and knows when to ask for assistance. Exercises good judgment and arrives at sound decisions.
5. Provides appropriate nursing interventions in stable and emergent patient situations. Is competent in all routine nursing skills including: (1) medication administration, (2) intravenous therapy including blood products, (3) care & maintenance of indwelling catheters & drains and, (4) safe use of any medical equipment used in the step down care setting.
6. Accurately interprets ECG rhythm and manages care of patients during life threatening emergencies in population served.
7. Demonstrates knowledge & skills in the care and management of patients post coronary intervention requiring femoral sheath removal with use of Femostop Device.
8. Demonstrates knowledge & skills in the care and management of patients post permanent pacemaker placement; post AICD placement, and patients admitted with stable acute coronary syndrome.
9. Demonstrates appropriate clinical judgment in managing cardiac step-down /telemetry patients in the integration of clinical data with clinical assessment.
10. Initiates a multidisciplinary, goal oriented care plan for each pt in collaboration with members of the health care team and documents education provided to patients and/or families using teaching methods appropriate to population served.
11. Delegates patient care tasks to ancillary personnel based on individual competency and scope of practice. Evaluates effectiveness of care performed.
12. Completes legible, accurate and timely documentation of all nursing care provided, including evaluation of patient's response to medications, treatments & procedures.
13. Consistently performs necessary unit specific safety & quality control checks (i.e. Shift and 24hr MD order checks, VO/TO Read Back, crash cart checks, urine QC, refrig logs & outdate checks).
14. Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve care, services, and unit operation. Tries new approaches to problem solving, is open to change and reaching new goals for the unit.

Customer Service-G.E.M Program (Go The Extra Mile)

1. Takes personal responsibility for providing quality services every day.

2. Displays outstanding customer service skills:

• Greets all customers warmly
• Makes eye contact
• Introduces self and calls patients/ customers by name
• Provides all assistance needed in a friendly and caring manner

3. Looks for opportunities daily to "Go the Extra Mile" in not only meeting customer needs but exceeding expectations.

4. Displays sensitivity to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any characteristic protected by law. Respects, accepts and anticipates spiritual and personal needs.

5. Compassionate to patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.

• Demonstrates kindness, compassion, courtesy and respect.
• Demonstrates good listening skills.
• Demonstrates a willingness to help.

6. Connection to patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.

• Greets and performs tasks with a smile.
• Practices the 5 fundamentals of communication (AIDE-T) (Acknowledge, Introduction, Duration, Explanation, and Thank you).
• Practices professional telephone courtesy.

7. Communication to patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.

• Responds to patient's complaints/patient issues take priority.
• Accepts responsibility for actions.
• Demonstrates communication excellence.

8. Caring and professional with patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.

• A team player and "spotlights" other members of the team.
• Lends a helping hand to co-workers without being asked.
• Keeps the workplace clean and neat.
• Offers to escort visitors to their destination.
• Refrains from personal conversations in front of patients, families or visitors.
• Maintains a positive, professional attitude.

Key Success Factors

1. Attendance - Employee reports to work each regularly scheduled workday. Accurately records all work time including meal periods.
2. Punctuality - Is ready for work at precise starting time and continues working until scheduled departure time. Returns on time from all break and meal periods.
3. General Work Habits - Readily accepts work assignments in a positive manner. Performs work that is accurate, timely, neat, and consistent. Documentation is legible.
4. Safety - Keeps work area neat and maintains equipment in accordance with health and safety codes. Reports safety issues and equipment failures appropriately
5. Appearance - Projects a professional image, follows the hospital dress code policy and/or department requirements. Wears hospital ID badge at all
6. Confidentiality - Sensitive information including, but not limited to, patient records, charts, hospital documents and employee information is kept
7. Annual Requirements - Completes annual requirements (PPD, health requirements, Annual Update, Ethics training, licensure and/or professional certification) on time.

Training And Experience

Mandatory:

• Current CA RN License
• Current BLS Certificate
• Successful completion of Basic Dysrhythmia Course
• Current ACLS Certificate; New Grad RN must obtain ACLS within 6 months of hire

Preferred:

• Completion of Critical Care Course.
• Required cardiovascular nursing knowledge and skills applicable to the care of post-coronary intervention and open heart patients during their rehab & discharge phase of their hospitalization.
• Has excellent observation, good nursing judgment/critical thinking, and good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with multiple tasks in a team setting utilizing interpersonal, organizational and prioritizing skills.
• Able to supervise and delegate care responsibilities to ancillary personnel commensurate with their scope of practice.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to walk and stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to lift and position patients using proper body mechanics
• Must have visual and auditory acuity necessary for responsibilities listed.