REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

RN with two years of clinical RN experience. Must possess and maintain a current license or valid permit to practice in Texas. Current BLS required.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

• RN

• BLS

JOB SUMMARY:

Competent Clinician . Possesses knowledge and skill to meet standards for competent professional nursing practice as specified in the Texas Nurse Practice Act . Experienced , knowledgeable and skilled in specialty area . Competently functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team . Practice is characterized by predominantly interdependent decision - making . Practice is problem focused and patient centered in the manner care is provided . Able to manage unexpected or emergency situations that are commonly seen in assigned specialty population . Serves as a resource for Nurse Clinician I or II . Can manage commonly seen contingency situations that arise on the clinical unit . Provides patient care through nursing practices based upon the American Nurses Association Standards of Professional Practice , and Professional Performance . Values specialty unit , nursing , and institutional strategic initiatives and health system goals .

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Professional Practice:

Nursing Process

• Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and documents the daily care of assigned patients.
• Identifies nursing diagnoses/patient care needs. Develops and individualizes care plan and revises plan of care as needed.
• Executes physician's orders for all assigned patients. Administers medications and treatments and delivers culturally congruent and specialty appropriate competent nursing care in accordance with UTMB's policies, procedures, and standards in a caring and compassionate manner.
• Performs routine technical procedures/skills in specialty area assigned.

Patient/Family Teaching & Health Promotion

• Provides basic patient/family instruction and healthcare teaching based on identified learning needs (patient values, beliefs, barriers, and readiness to learn).
• Identifies potential impact of family dynamics*.
• Utilizes evidence-based resources to provide patient/family education.
• Uses Teach-Back to determine effectiveness and modifies strategies as needed.

Care Coordination & Delegation

• Plans, coordinates, and prioritizes patient care activities according to skill level and work complexity.
• Maintains safety and continuity of care using methods such as bedside shift report, hand-off tools/processes, inter-disciplinary rounding, etc.
• Demonstrates effective time management skills.
• Delegates appropriately, seeking guidance when needed.
• Demonstrates competent use of technology in the delivery of patient care.

Professional Performance:

Ethics (legal/regulatory), Advocacy & Culturally Congruent Cares

• Identifies ethical situations and seeks assistance, if necessary, to resolve.
• Utilizes available resources when ethical issues arise.
• Delivers culturally sensitive care using resources to meet the needs of patient/family.
• Serves as a patient advocate, seeking guidance when necessary.

Communication & Collaboration

• Supports healthy work environment by demonstrating respectful verbal and non-verbal communication with all members of the healthcare team. Seeks assistance for support with challenging communication.
• Recognizes colleagues when they go above and beyond in demonstrating UTMBs core values.
• Plans, coordinates, and prioritizes patient care activities in collaboration with inter-professional team.

Leadership

• Recognizes informal and formal unit/hospital leaders and can educate colleagues regarding unit/hospital leadership.
• Recognizes unit, nursing, and institutional strategic initiatives and health system goals.
• Recognizes the importance of financial responsibility to promote fiscal health for the patient, unit and organization.

Education, Evidence-Based Practice & Research

• Attends/participates in unit meetings/activities and supports the philosophy and goals of the unit department and organization.
• Participates in shared leadership at the unit level*.
• Participates in unit based quality improvement activities.
• Attends in-services and continuing education activities.
• Participates in one journal club annually*.
• Completes the UTMB/Vizient Nurse Residency Program and completes an evidence based practice project as required*.
• Demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning (evidence-based practice, specialty certification, advanced degree, etc.).
• Demonstrates ability to accept and adopt change by seeking knowledge and needed information.
• Demonstrates knowledge of how to access and utilize evidence-based resources to guide patient care.

Quality, Resources & Safety

• Identifies patient safety concerns and reports appropriately; addresses immediate safety concerns appropriately.
• Identifies unit quality metrics/outcomes data and improvement activities; actively engages in discussion, activities related to unit goals.
• Demonstrates self-care through practices that support personal well-being, personal safety and injury prevention.

General Requirements:

• Completes required specialty specific Competency Based Orientation (CBO) tools by the initial performance evaluation due date for placement in employee file.
• Actively participates in ongoing self-evaluation of competency using Competency Based Orientation (CBO) tools and e-performance nursing appraisal.
• Completes the annual self-evaluation on time for competency and performance evaluation.
• Performs and reports point of care testing (POCT).
• Prioritizes and organizes work so that required assignments are completed within a specified time frame.
• Provides and maintains a clean, safe environment and performs and/or assists others to perform proper aseptic technique, isolation procedures and infection control measures.
• Practices basic cost containment for patients and the unit.
• Consistently completes accurate, concise and legible documentation for all patient, unit and hospital records (including care delivery and telephone patient related interactions).
• Competently utilizes electronic forms of communication and documentation.
• Meets periodic UTMB and unit specific compliance requirements for health screening, training, attendance, safety, and CPR.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.

SALARY RANGE:

Salary commensurate with experience.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Day Shift.