IR -RN - Response Nurse - The Regional Medical Center of Memphis

IR- Registered Nurses – Response Nurse

IR Nurses, are you ready for the next step in your career? We are seeking skilled professionals to join Regional One Health Team.

This job description is not to be construed as a complete listing of the duties and responsibilities that may be given to any employee. The duties and responsibilities outlined in this position may be added to or changed when deemed appropriate and necessary by the person who is managerially responsible for this position.

Summary:
Provides professional nursing care to patients utilizing the nursing process to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patients. Facilitates timely admissions, discharges, and transfers to designated areas when a need presents. Provides professional nursing care and advanced assessment to patients for specific periods of time for nursing units as needed. Situations of response may include, but are not limited to assisting with multiple admissions, Code Blue, Rapid Response, Code STEMI, patients awaiting admission in the Emergency Room (ER), major internal/external crisis, and any area needing assistance with assessment or patient care. The priority of duties for the Response Nurse is to be assigned to all emergent IR cases during holidays, nights and weekend shifts.

Education Requirement:
Qualified by education, training or experience to work with the school age, adolescent, adult and/or geriatric patient population as specialty assignment dictates. BSN preferred.

Experience Requirement:
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in caring for patients in an inpatient setting. Critical Care or Emergency Department experience preferred.

Licensure/Certification Requirement:
Registered Nurse licensure to work in state of TN. Current BLS, ACLS certification required, PALS required within three (3) months of hire.

Key Job Responsibilities:
1. Provides professional nursing care to patients within units as assessed by the House Supervisor.
• Initiates assessment based on the patient's presenting problems or needs, the physician's medical diagnosis and the functional health framework upon visit.
• Collects key information from patient, family, laboratory, and other medical reports. Ensures that all consents necessary for treatment/procedure have been signed and that all prescribed identification procedures have been carried out.
• Determines nursing diagnosis and priorities for care with special consideration given to patient teaching, discharge planning, and the growth and development needs of the patient.
• Determines which standards of care and practice apply to the patient.
• Documents assessment, including nursing diagnoses or other clinical judgments.
• Demonstrates knowledge, technical, interpersonal and critical thinking skills to provide care, manage clinical competency and meet age-specific patient needs within the unit.
• Provides advanced assessment that may determine the need for further intervention or change in level of care in coordination with the physician.

2. Assists with multiple admissions to include health assessments. Expedites and completes the discharge process for patients in collaboration with the discharge nurse including proper documentation. In addition, works with physicians and bed control to expedite discharges and transfers. In order to expedite processes, the response nurse will not assume total patient care assignments except in Interventional Radiology when called for a procedure.

3. Responds to emergency situations (i.e., Code Blue, Rapid Response, and Code STEMI). Performs advanced cardiopulmonary life support following organizational guidelines. Assists in expediting patient transition to appropriate level of care.

4. Assists with patients awaiting admission to the ER. Initiates STAT and NOW orders on newly admitted patients without bed assignments (i.e., first dose of antibiotics, lab work, etc.).

5. Assists with external and internal crisis. Reports to designated command center and awaits further instructions as the organization prepares for the care and influx of patients. Facilitates throughput. Facilitates movement of patient out of acute receiving areas.

6. Responds to areas that can facilitate patient discharges in order to relieve bed crisis.

7. Prepares equipment/supplies and assists physician during treatments, procedures and examinations. Performs specialized duties applicable to assigned unit or area.

8. Maintains patient medical records; documents patient status and care given; performs charting duties; records activities and observations. Utilizes patient computer systems to enter and retrieve data.

9. Confers and works collaboratively with patient/family/hospital staff regarding all aspects of patient needs (i.e., patient admission/discharge of/transfer process, discharge planning, referrals, coordinating exams/therapy, requisitions, supplies, obtains medical records, etc.) in a customer responsive and courteous manner, in compliance with iRESPECT Standards and promoting patient/customer satisfaction.

10. Transports monitored patients, specimens, equipment and supplies to and from various areas.

11. Completes required continuous training and education, including department specific requirements.
• Attends staff meetings, all mandatory in-service and additional continuing education as required.
• Responds to problems/opportunities to improve care.
• Supports and is involved in the organization’s Performance Improvement initiatives.
• Participates in and maintains competencies required for the position.

12. Maintains a clean, orderly, safe environment for patients and personnel. Adheres to established policies, compliance/quality improvement, and safety, environment and infection control standards.

13. Prepares and maintains required records, reports and files for administrative and compliance purposes.

14. Performs other duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Ability and willingness to apply nursing knowledge and skills and maintain clinical competency as required in assigned area.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and collaboration abilities for working within a team environment.
• Ability to manage a sometimes-chaotic work environment related to changing patient needs.
• Demonstrated skill in the use of applicable equipment; mature judgment and initiative required; is able to work without direct supervision; shows professional interest through self-development, continuing education, and involvement in professional organizations; presents a positive attitude and professional appearance.
• Ability to give and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to react and perform under stress in emergency situations
• Ability to effectively record and reflect observations.
• Ability to plan and organize work for self and others.
• Ability to exercise analytical judgment on work to be done.

Supervision Provided by this Job:
There are no lead or supervisory responsibilities associated with this role.

Physical Demands/Conditions:
Prolonged standing and walking; lifting, turning patients and equipment; repeated bending, squatting and stooping; exposure to infectious agents. Visual acuity is needed to assess color changes, to verify accuracy of written materials, and to administer and accurately prepare medications. Heavy Work - Exerting up to 150 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 30 pounds of force constantly to move objects. (May be further defined as "with or without assistance.")

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