Registered Nurse Per Diem

Purpose and Scope

Provides direct nursing care pre, during and post procedure, under the direction of the Facility Manager, Director of Nursing and/or Charge Registered Nurse, utilizing standard nursing techniques to assist the physician in optimum patient outcomes following facility policies and procedures.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Quality

• Supports and drives organization quality standards through meeting regulatory and accrediting body requirements and the practice of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), including use of CQI tools.
• Assists with implementation of organization quality goals and facility specific action plans.
• Accountable for outstanding quality of patient care as defined by organization quality goals.
• Addresses and acts on adverse events and action thresholds in collaboration with facility management.
• Maintains integrity of medical records and other administrative and operational records.
• Complies with all data collection and auditing activities.
• Maintains facility environmental integrity and safety.

Patient Care

• Obtains necessary medical history, discusses procedure and answers questions, and performs nursing assessment on the day of the procedure.
• Provides education to patients and patient's family regarding post procedure care of vascular access.
• Monitors patient condition before, during and after the procedure, especially patients having moderate sedation and contrast media injections for possible complications or reactions.
• Acts as a resource for the patient to address patient concerns and questions.
• Identifies and communicates patient related issues to facility management as needed.
• Completes documentation of patient information from admission to discharge accurately.
• Confirms written orders, consents and lab work are completed and documented in accordance with facility policies.
• Maintains competency with all emergency operational procedures and initiates CPR and emergency measures as needed.
• Administers medications and IV moderate sedation to patients as directed per physician's orders and in compliance with regulations.
• Acts as scrub technologist to assist the physician during procedure as needed, maintaining a sterile technique.
• Assists with patient workflow by transporting patients as needed.
• Performs point-of-care laboratory testing as directed per physician's orders.
• Performs IV insertion as per physician orders.
• Performs additional tasks as designated by Physician, practicing in compliance with state regulations.

Physician Communication

• Provides regular and effective communication with physicians on an as needed basis.
• Attends and participates in CQI meetings with physicians, reporting on assigned topics.
• May assist facility management in working with physicians and staff to verify all necessary instruments and equipment.
• Assists the physician in completing and reporting state required adverse event reports and reporting internally per policy.

Maintenance and Technical

• Operates facility equipment and technology, including patient monitors, defibrillators, medical recording devices, sterilizers and computers safely and efficiently.
• Inspects operation of all facility equipment and reports malfunctions and maintenance needs.
• Inspects operation of all facility operating systems, including temperature checks and physical structure, and reports issues to the Facility Manager.
• Ensures a clean, safe and sanitary environment in the vascular access facility at all times.
• Ensures all blood spills are immediately addressed according to Bloodborne Pathogen Control Policies.

Administrative

• Assists with efficient utilization of medication, laboratory, inventory, supplies and equipment to achieve supply cost goals.
• May assist in the development and revision of applicable policies and procedures related to the facility.
• Assists with Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities including monthly reports and attending meetings.
• Assists with maintaining medication supply, including inventory control, checking for expired medications, and ensuring appropriate recording of controlled substances.
• Completes usage logs for all medications with appropriate documentation and records of drug disposal.
• Assists with maintaining facility supply inventory, including ordering and restocking of supplies.
• Examines emergency equipment and supplies, including stocking of the crash cart on a regular basis.
• Completes medical records accurately in compliance with policies prior to discharge of the patient.
• Performs chart audits on a regular basis.
• May participate in facility regulatory and accreditation surveys and action plans to address deficiencies.
• Completes state required records for all implanted devices accurately and timely.
• Participates in staff meetings, training and orientation as assigned.
• Complies with HIPAA policies and standards regarding patient information and medical records.
• Assists with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff and physicians. The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. The position requires frequent prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over. The employee may occasionally be required to move, with assistance, patients and equipment of up to 200 lbs. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious, contagious diseases/materials and radiation. May be required to wear protective gear in procedure rooms for extended periods of time.