The Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care to a group of patients within an assigned Emergency unit of the hospital in support of medical care directed by physician(s). S/he is responsible to be clinically competent; deliver care to patients utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation; and effectively interact with patients, significant others, and other healthcare staff while maintaining standards of professional nursing.
The Registered Nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for the nursing care given, but assigns tasks to others who perform under his/her direction. Nursing care is individualized to meet the changing needs of each patient from age fourteen (14) until the end of life and is based on knowledge, skills, and standard of care. Nursing care is organized through the utilization of the nursing process and a written plan of care.
Required Education:
- Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing or the combination of education, knowledge, skills, mental development, and relevant experience that enables performance of all aspects of the position.
- Licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Illinois, or Registered Nurse License Pending (RNLP).
Duties & Responsibilities:
General:
- Provide the initial individualized patient care based on standards of nursing care for patients through a written nursing care plan.
- Assess each patient on admission and on an on-going basis to determine patient needs.
- Note normal vs. abnormal data to recognize life threatening factors; biophysical needs and the patient’s ability to participate in his/her care; psychological, spiritual, and environmental needs; and risk and/or safety factors, limitations, and capabilities.
- Teach and learn needs in relation to the patient’s health status in anticipation of discharge.
- Administer prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques.
- Prepare equipment and aid physicians during treatment and examination of patients.
- Maintain awareness of comfort and safety needs of patients.
- Observe patients and record significant conditions and reactions. Notify supervisor or physician of patient’s condition and reaction to drugs, treatment, and significant incidents.
- Take temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs to detect deviations from normal readings and assess the condition of the patient.
- Follow policy related to narcotic count.
- Respond to life saving situations based upon nursing standards, polices, procedures, and protocol. Remain calm and resourceful during crisis and emergency situations.
- Document nursing history and physical assessment for assigned patients.
- Initiate a patient education plan, as prescribed by the physician and/or hospital policy, considering the individualized needs of the patient, including patient and family instructions.
- Develop an individualized written plan of care as a measure of organizing patient care and as a communication tool.
- Identify measurable goals, share plan of care and goals with the patient, family members, and staff.
- Update and maintain the written plan of care via written instructions identifying nursing interventions required.
- Incorporate available services which are required to meet individual needs of the patient.
- Carry out physicians’ orders; make appropriate assignments and follow-up; set priorities; and perform basic nursing skills.
- Perform advanced nursing skills based on competency in practice determined by the skills inventory.
- Give shift reports.
Specialty:
- Ability to consistently demonstrate accurate Triage assessments and history taking.
- Assess patients for pain during Triage process using an age specific pain scale. Document assessments regarding pain; any interventions performed on the patient’s behalf; and the patient’s response to the intervention.
- Assess adult female patients for domestic violence and if needed make appropriate referrals.
- Administer and document IVs and medications correctly.
- Ability to recognize drug incompatibilities, contra-indications, and side-effects.
- Make rounds and update the progress notes of patients.
- Ability to identify cardiac arrhythmias and take corrective action.
- Monitor tubes and catheters and ensure proper drainage.
- Implement and maintain neurological flow sheets on all comatose/head trauma patients.
- Follow policy regarding patient restraints.
- Ability to care for trauma patients.
- Ability to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation in the unit and respond to “Code Blue” as required.
- Perform EKGs by placing leads on the patient in the proper manner; operating the EKG equipment in a safe manner and clean the equipment when the assignment is complete.
A Roman Catholic facility founded by the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph and sponsored by Catholic Health International, St. Bernard Hospital aspires to live in the healing mission of Christ within the South Side community of Chicago. This mission calls us to care for the sick and promote the health of the residents in the community while witnessing the Christian values of respect, dignity, caring and compassion for all persons. In all matters, St. Bernard Hospital will show a special sensitivity to the culture of the people we serve and the unique needs of the poor and powerless.
