Job Abstract

The Registered Nurse/Clinical II (CN II - Transitional RN) is a licensed experienced professional who has experience in a specific area of nursing who is transferring to a different specialty area in nursing. The Registered Nurse/Clinical II (CN II - Transitional RN) will be supervised and mentored by RN Clinical II/III/Supervisor, Manager, Director, and/or Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator to ensure competencies are met. The Registered Nurse/Clinical II (CN II - Transitional RN) will also be assigned and evaluated by a preceptor throughout the orientation period to validate technical and clinical skills necessary for their new specialty area prior to being assigned patient care in ratio. A Registered Nurse/Clinical II (CN II - Transitional RN) is accountable for the coordination of patient care and education to the patient and family in accordance with the standards, policies, and practices in a compassionate, supportive, and therapeutic environment. These services further the mission of Valley Presbyterian Hospital, which is to provide high-quality, cost-effective healthcare for the community served by VPH.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum one (1) year of recent nursing experience, preferably in an acute care setting as a registered nurse.

EDUCATION:

• ADN Degree required; BSN Degree preferred.

LICENSURES/CERTIFICATION:

• Current licensure with the California Board of Registered Nursing
• Must successfully complete and maintain BLS certification
• Must successfully complete and maintain LA City Fire Card certification at the time of hire or within the first 30 days of employment.
• Must successfully complete and maintain certification for Mgmt of Assaultive Behavior (ex. CPI- Non-violent Crisis Intervention) within 30 days of employment.
• See last page for additional unit-specific departmental certification requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (These are the essential job functions for this position. The essential functions of this job include, but may not be limited to those listed in this job description. Employees hired for this position must be able to perform the essential function of this job without imposing significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others):

• Communication – Upholds professional communication with colleagues, physicians, and other members of the health care team. Utilizes the Situation Background Assessment and Recommendation (SBAR) communication format. Prior to contacting physicians is prepared with relative patient data and proactively anticipates the information the physician will need to respond to the call/request.
• Confidentiality – Maintains strict confidentiality at all times, following HIPAA and VPH policies. Performs daily activities within the appropriate ethical and legal guidelines as defined by the Compliance program and in accordance with Valley Presbyterian Hospital’s mission, vision and values.
• Cross-training – Cross trains to all areas within floating cluster, according to hospital policy.
• Documentation and system utilization - Utilizes information technology to document processes of care in a timely manner and independently seeks out opportunities for improving computer/automation skills.
• Evaluation of care – Collaborates with preceptor/mentor and physicians to evaluate the effectiveness of the care plan through observation of the patient's condition, behavior, signs and symptoms of illness, and reactions to treatment, through communication with the patient and the health team members, and modifies the plan each time the patient’s condition changes and in accordance with policy.
• Infection control – Adheres to Universal Precautions, and VPH infection control standards, including performing hand sanitation before and after each patient contact.
• Medication administration – Administers all medications per hospital policy. Reports medication errors to nurse leader and promptly notifies physician.
• Nursing process, assessment, and diagnosis – Collects and interprets patient data using the nursing process and data from the physician and medical record (e.g. history and physical, progress notes). Formulates a nursing diagnosis through the observation of the patient's physical condition, behavior, and interpretation of information. Assesses patients according to unit guidelines and anticipates changes in patient’s status. Performs skills in an independent manner with a validated competency. Explains the care/treatment to the patient and family throughout their stay.
• Patient advocate – Works on behalf of the patient and family, advocating in support of their values, beliefs, evidenced-based practices, and standards. Ensures that patient personal hygiene needs are addressed in a dignified and consistent manner.
• Patient discharge process – Provides ongoing discharge education to the patient/family based on individual patient needs. Starts planning for an effective discharge upon admission.
• Patient Satisfaction – Provides a caring, compassionate approach and a kind attitude with a gentle touch. Keeps the patient/family informed. Apologizes for unanticipated delays in service. Functions as a team player, eager to help and learn new skills. Offers assistance, with a willing attitude. Adheres to the hourly rounding policy by proactively seeking to resolve patient/family needs.
• Patient Throughput – Supports patient/hospital throughput initiatives to facilitate timely, efficient, and effective patient acceptance from the Emergency Department and other units. This includes a timely transfer/discharge of patients.
• PI/Evidenced –based practice – Seeks opportunities to participate in achieving unit or hospital quality initiatives such as patient satisfaction, core measures, CMS and DNV compliance, CDPH requirements, and PI projects (e.g. decreasing falls, restraints, hospital acquired pressure ulcers, pain).
• Professional image- Exhibits professionalism in appearance, conduct, communication, and behavioral appropriate to the situation.
• Must be able to fulfill the essential functions of the position.

The following job accountabilities are not unique to any particular job but are common to all jobs at VPH:

• Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence. Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large. Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions. Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
• Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members. Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
• Participates in operational aspects of the department, and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.
• Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices. Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the work place. Maintains a safe environment for self and others.
• Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting. Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes. Participates in education activities and process implementation. Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.

The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job. They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Primarily an inside building/office environment, well lighted and ventilated, which may consist of multiple treatment and/or work sites.
• Fast and continuous work pace with variable workload.
• Frequent contact with staff and public under a variety of circumstances. Requires ability to communicate clearly (in English) verbally and in writing for effective communication with other staff members, physicians, vendors, community members, patients and patient families, employees and applicants of all socio-economic levels from a diverse cultural and ethnic population.
• Subject to many interruptions from multiple calls and inquiries and potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, illness and/or death.
• Handles emergency/crisis situations in accordance with Hospital policy.
• Answers phones or pages; may carry a beeper/pager, and/or use a two-way radio.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Potential risk of exposure to hazards from chemicals (toxic and non-toxic), flammable materials, gas or electrical or radiant energy or equipment with/without moving parts.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Continuous standing/walking and occasional/intermittent sitting.
• Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and shoulder level to handle/operate medical equipment/devices.
• Frequent reaching above shoulder level and overhead.
• Frequent forward bending, twisting, squatting and kneeling; occasional climbing.
• Occasional repositioning and transferring patients weighing up to 200 pounds between bed, chair, and gurney.
• Occasional lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional/intermittent pushing of gurneys, wheelchairs, bed and other medical equipment over tiled and carpeted surfaces.
• Continuous use of near vision to read medical equipment such as monitoring devices and reading documents and computer screens; hearing and verbal communication to interact with patients, co-workers, and other customers.