Job Summary

Utilizes the nursing process to promote and restore patient’s health status; collaborates with physicians and multidisciplinary team members; provides physical and psychological support to patients, family members and significant others; and supervises assigned team members. Uses a systematic critical-thinking approach to guide data gathering, assessment, nursing judgement, intervention and evaluation of human responses to actual and potential health problems through activities such as health teaching and the provision of care, supportive and restorative care and/or support of a peaceful death. All responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the mission, vision, strategic imperatives and standards of the Lexington County Health District, American Nurses Association Standards and in accordance with the provisions/statues set forth by the South Carolina Nurse Practice Act.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: ADN, Diploma or Bachelors of Science in Nursing
*New graduate RN’s who acquire their generic RN education through an on-line program will not meet LMC minimum qualifications
Minimum Years of Experience: None
*Critical Care, Medical/Surgical, Intermediate, and Emergency Department units will not consider newly graduated Nurses without post-graduation experience, except for those that have successfully completed LMC's Nurse Residency Program.
Substitutable Education & Experience: None
Required Certifications/Licensure: Current RN license to practice in the State of South Carolina.
**Refer to Mandatory Certification Requirements P&P for required education/certification for various nursing specialties.
Required Training: None    
 

Essential Functions

PATIENT CARE AND SUPPORT

•  Establishes positive rapport with patient and family.
•  Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
•  Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals; provides education to patient, and family in a manner they can understand their condition, medications, and self-care skills, etc. and provides them ample opportunity to ask questions.
•  Serves as patient/family advocate
•  Maintains continuity among nursing teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
•  Uses a systematic critical-thinking approach to guide data gathering, assessment, nursingjudgement, intervention and evaluation of human responses to actual and potential health problems.
•  Identifies, synthesizes and interprets sources of data using reasonable clinical judgement to respond to dynamic situations in a timely and effective manner.
•  Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
•  Uses ethical decision making processes and advocates for acceptable patient outcomes.
•  L&D Only:  RN’s with 2 years or more of L&D experience who have completed training and competency verification may perform qualified medical screening examinations under EMTALA.      

CLINICAL WORK QUALITY

•  Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following hospital and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse practice act, and other governing agency regulations.
•  Resolves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.
•  Participates in process/performance improvement activities and initiatives utilizing evidence based practice to maintain and/or improve quality of care and safe patient care systems and processes.
•  Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations; calling for assistance from health care support personnel.
•  Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
•  Documents all patient care activities accurately and timely.
•  Provides safe, appropriate, quality of care and support to patients and family members.
•  Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.

Duties & Responsibilities

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

•  Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
•  Appropriately utilizes all nursing supplies and equipment.
•  Demonstrates effective teamwork skills and maintains a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information; responding to requests; building rapport; participating in team problem-solving methods.
•  Promptly responds to all communication devices in order to meet patient needs.
•  Assists in performing and documenting environmental checks as required by LMC policy and regulatory agencies.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
•  Meets or exceeds all LMC requirements for attendance and service expectations.
•  Maintains required certifications.
•  Completes yearly safety training and other mandatory classes.
•  Complies with all annual employee health requirements.
• Ensure Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals are discarded, stored, and managed with other compatible waste streams in containers that are properly labeled and closed prior to being shipped offsite for proper disposal.  Initial RCRA training is received within 6 months of the hire date and continuing with annual RCRA training.
•  Earns a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education annually within specialty.