Registered Nurse - Perianesthesia - Full Time - Shift

Distinguishing Characteristics

This classification ranges from novice nurse with limited knowledge and skills to expert nurse with advanced knowledge and skills, and the ability to perform work with minimum supervision. It is designed to accommodate the expanding experience of the Registered Nurse (RN) resulting in the ability to orient nurses with limited experience and re-entry nurses to current clinical practice.

Essential Functions

• Creates and sustains an environment that supports compassionate caring through authentic presence with the patient and family, building trusting relationships.
• Collects and documents data for assigned patients according to prescribed methods.
• Interprets assessment data to determine whether patient has physiological and/or psychosocial risk factors, records and reports variances from normal parameters.
• Collaborates with the patient, family and members of the healthcare team to develop individualized plan of care based on existing and potential patient problems.
• Implements nursing and physician orders safely.
• Uses education, experience and interpretation of assessment data to prioritize appropriate nursing actions.
• Establishes nursing diagnoses, uses appropriate resources to formulate a written plan of care; evaluates the effectiveness of nursing interventions and revises patient care plans as necessary.
• Anticipates and effectively manages rapidly changing situations by rapid grasp of changes in patient status and problem situations.
• Prioritizes and responds quickly and appropriately to identify the need for and activation of emergency protocols and assistance.
• Performs and documents the nursing process consistent with scientific principle and hospital policy using critical thinking and nursing judgment.
• Implements the medical and nursing care plans and coordinates patient care activities with nurses, physicians and Advanced Practice Providers.
• Partners with the patient/family to assess learning needs, priorities and level of understanding and co-develops plan.
• Designs teaching methods and plans accordingly; follows through on teaching plans developed to instruct patients and their family members regarding testing, procedures and disease process.
• Coordinates and participates in patient care rounds and conferences.
• Understands team dynamics and collaborates effectively within the care team.
• Contributes to team building through participation in unit programs and meetings; contributes to positive morale using constructive and effective conflict resolution skills.
• Assists with training staff members and orienting new staff; works collaboratively with clinicians to manage patient care.
• Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards and evidence-based practices, measuring outcomes against patient care goals and hospital or regulatory standards.
• Provides safe care to patients and protects employees by adhering to approved infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures and controlled substance regulations.
• Participates in staff meetings, professional governance councils, evaluation and standards development for nursing practice, nursing recognition and well-being activities.
• Completes all competencies, mandatory classes and educational coursework as required by the Department of Nursing.
• Attains knowledge and competence that reflects current nursing practice; demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning.
• Adheres to hospital-approved policies and procedures and RN scope of practice as defined by BRN licensure.
• Is knowledgeable of and compliant with ANA Code of Ethics, ANA Scope and Standards of Practice, and KMC Professional Practice Model.
• Monitors own practices and assists in monitoring others for practices related to patient and employee safety and compliance to standards and policies.
• Looks for opportunities for continual improvement in patient care and the work environment.
• Demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of populations served by Kern Medical facilities.

Other Functions

Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Trains staff members, orients new staff and serves as a mentor to staff as an experienced clinician and manager of care.

Employment Standards

Graduation from an accredited registered nursing program with a Bachelor or Associate's degree preferred, and a valid and unrestricted license issued by the State of California to practice as a Registered Nurse; or possession of an active temporary license issued by the State of California to practice as a Registered Nurse. Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical Center. Possess and maintain a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card. Depending on assignment, incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency or complete designated education as a condition of employment.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of theory, techniques and practices of nursing; medical terminology, instruments and equipment; the uses and effects of medicines and narcotics. Skill in following oral and written instruction and maintaining concise and complete records; demonstrating practical and theoretical knowledge of nursing care specific to the assigned work area/specialty; meeting content and performance criteria specific to each defined specialty; standard techniques of record maintenance and report writing; using computers and related software applications; keyboarding and using standard office equipment; communicating both orally and in writing; preparing and maintaining concise and comprehensive required records and reports; establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with staff, other hospital employees, patients and their families.