Position Summary:

Under the leadership of the departmental Nursing Director, the Registered Nurse (RN) I is responsible for utilizing the nursing process in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care.  The RN I is responsible for providing culturally sensitive care that is appropriate for the patient’s developmental age.  The RN I formulates an appropriate nursing plan of care and effectively interacts with patients, family members, and other health team members.  The RN I maintains the standards of professional nursing. The RN I’s duties are based on scientific principles and established standards of nursing practice.

Basic Qualifications:

• Education:

Requires an Associate’s degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing

• Experience:

Requires up to one year of work-related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Licensure, Registrations & Certifications:

Requires a current state license as a Registered Nurse and is listed in good standing with the state’s Department of Professional Credentialing.

Requires a current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS). (If BLS verification is not current upon hire, it must be obtained within the orientation period.)

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Conducts an assessment of patient’s condition (i.e., physical, emotional, age, etc.), documents assessment findings, and, in conjunction with medical notes, develops a plan of care.
• Collaborates with other members of the patient care team to discuss, evaluate, and monitor the plan of care. Modifies the plan of care as appropriate given changes in a patient's condition.
• Effectively and consistently performs basic nursing skills and treatments as prescribed by the physician or as indicated by the patient's condition.
• Uses professional judgment in treating patients and modifies the treatment and/or contacts the physician as appropriate.
• Prepares or directs the preparation of necessary equipment and assists the physician during examination and treatment.

• Demonstrates prioritization and decisiveness that enables the completion of typical patient assignments within an assigned shift.

• Participates in the patient and family education and rehabilitation process by explaining and instructing patients regarding treatments, procedures, and nursing care plans to help mitigate fears and to educate them during the recovery process.
• Meets with patients and their families in order to help them overcome emotional problems associated with health care conditions.
• Makes regular rounds to assigned patients, alone or with physicians, observing and evaluating patients' symptoms and reactions to treatments and medications. Determines progress and problems and takes corrective action as indicated or directed.
• Maintains patient records, reports to the proper person pertinent information regarding the patients' conditions, medications, treatments, etc.
• Participates in performance improvement studies and integrates performance improvement standards into patient care activities.
• Participates in discharge planning activities in order to prepare the patient and his/her family for release from the hospital. Acts as a liaison between members of the patient’s care team.
• Serves as a clinical leader, implementing nursing concepts, conducting patient conferences, and assisting in directing, orienting, and teaching student nurses, Nursing Assistants, LPNs, and other ancillary personnel.
• Remains current on innovations, developments, new procedures, and techniques in nursing care in order to provide quality nursing care services.

• Performs associated duties, responsibilities, and tasks relating to safety, infection control, and performance improvement as part of CRHS’s efforts to provide quality care and services.
• Presents a professional image to CRHS’s nursing co-workers, clinical and medical staff members, patients, families, and visitors.
• Attends professional development programs and in-service training and meets the minimum requirement for continuing professional education.

• Performs other related job duties as assigned.