Job Abstract

Responsible for quality and uneventful patient care. Assists in general housekeeping duties and maintenance and care of equipment. In the dietitian's absence, oversees the food service to the patients according to ADA guidelines, CMS, and the Public Health Standards.

• Utilizes assessment skills and tools to identify problems, needs, and interventions.
• Recognizes patient's and family's need for education and initiates appropriate action.
• Set priorities for action based on problem-solving processes, common sense, and meeting patient care priorities.
• Recognizes health-threatening changes in signs, symptoms, and results of diagnostic studies, responding appropriately.
• Ensures that patient satisfaction is evaluated daily.
• Utilizes work assignments to develop individuals' unique abilities and meet the special needs of patients and significant others.
• Participates in reviewing and revising quality assurance improvement criteria and/or standards of care.
• Completes unit-specific Nurse Competency Checklist every year.
• Administers parenteral therapy and blood and blood products according to Nursing Service Policies.
• Carries out physician's orders accurately and questions unclear orders.
• Performs treatments and procedures according to SHOLA Nursing Policies.
• Cost-effectively maintains adequate supplies and equipment in appropriate working conditions.
• Initiates and carries out appropriate emergency procedures.
• Initiates nurse-physician communication as appropriate.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and quiet environment for patients and other personnel.
• Utilizes sound nursing judgment as evidenced by the ability to provide a rationale for decisions made.
• Detects early signs and symptoms of postoperative complications and report observations promptly to the proper physician and Inpatient Clinical Services Director.
• Always provides for patient privacy and confidentiality and maintains patient dignity.
• Provides postoperative teaching to patients and significant family members with proper documentation.
• Recognizes the potential benefits of selected new products and discusses possible acquisition for use with the Inpatient Clinical Services Director.
• Documents the specifics of performance during codes in writing and conveys this information to the Inpatient Services Director.
• Serves as a resource person for updating or improving patient care practices.
• Assists in facilitating the patient-physician-nurse communication process.
• Serves as a preceptor in the orientation of new employees.
• Assumes leadership role, acting as a role model, especially in crises.
• Assists in the development and implementation of departmental goals.
• Possesses a working knowledge of equipment used in the Inpatient Unit.
• Assists in maintaining the care and cleanliness of supplies and equipment—cost-effectively maintains adequate supplies and equipment in appropriate working conditions with proper documentation.
• Reports damaged instruments to the Inpatient Services Director and follow the proper procedure for damaged instruments and/or equipment.
• Is responsible for ensuring daily housekeeping duties are completed. Patient rooms are uncluttered; patient rooms are clean after discharge. The trash is emptied in the patient rooms and removed from the Inpatient Unit.
• Assists with meal preparation and delivery while maintaining CMS and Public Health Standards.
• Ensures staffing and census log is up to date.
• Daily crash cart checks are completed.
• Supplies and linens are stocked.

The statements mentioned above outline the general duties necessary to describe the essential functions of this position. However, they are not meant to be considered a comprehensive description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Experience: Two (2) years’ experience as a registered nurse preferred.

Licenses/Certificates: Currently licensed as a nurse by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Current ACLS & BLS certifications are required.

Special Skill:

Physical Requirements:

Supervisor: Inpatient Clinical Services Director

Positions reporting directly to this position: None