SUMMARY:

Registered Nurse II provides professional nursing care by utilizing the nursing process to care for patients within an assigned unit. Coordinates care provided throughout the hospital. Cooperates with other members of the health care team in meeting the total needs of patients. Participates in patient teaching. Directs and assists in activities of ancillary personnel. Assumes when assigned as a Charge Nurse on the unit.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Utilizes the nursing process of assessment, nursing diagnosis, plan, intervention, and evaluation to ensure that resources of the Department are used to provide patient's care, comfort, and safety. Prioritizes, plans, and organizes the delivery of comprehensive nursing care as provided by the healthcare team.

2. Collaborates with the physicians to identify the medical management, patient goals, and nursing intervention required.

3. Demonstrates technical/clinical competence in directing or providing nursing care that is appropriate for the department assigned. Can manage change with the workload. Initiates emergency measures, which require independent judgment and action.

4. Acts as an advocate for patient rights by initiating and maintaining confidentiality, privacy, safety, patient education and active collaboration with the health care team to promote the patient's best interest.

5. Accountable for assignments and their completion within scheduled work hours. Maintains appropriate time records. Works independently with minimal supervision or direction.

6. Orientates new staff members as needed. Functions as a clinical resource to staff RNs, LVNs, Techs, NAs/CNAs. Delegates nursing care to RNs, LVNs, and other ancillary personnel consistent with their levels of education and expertise.

7. Supports, promotes, and functions within the Hospital and unit policies and procedures and the Nurse Practice Act.

8. Demonstrates proficiency in managing resources and utilizing equipment in a safe manner. Actively contributes to cost control by managing time, resources, and supplies effectively.

9. Administers and controls narcotics and medications including parenteral and blood components.

10. Attends 75%, a minimum of six, unit staff meetings annually to be successful. Accountability for reading minutes of monthly meetings. Participates in conferences and education programs as required and Quality Improvement activities and issues monitored to improve care provided.

11. Cross trains to an additional unit or area within 1 year of hire as staffing permits. If requested will float to another area with documented competency on an already scheduled shift.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assesses and cares for the geriatric patient with knowledge and clinical skills of the aging process.

2. Assesses and cares for the pediatric patient with knowledge and clinical skills of the growth and development process.

3. Maintains and demonstrates professional skills through self-development and participation in on-going hospital in-service education.

4. Maintains accountability for own practice and for aspects of nursing care delegated to peers, LVNs, and NAs/CNAs, and other ancillary personnel.

5. Utilizes the chain of command in situations where a resolution for the issue exceeds one's authority.

6. Demonstrates knowledge and the ability to apply ethical and legal principles to practice.

7. Communication: Clearly and accurately communicates pertinent aspects of the patient's care to other members of the Patient Care team. Documentation in patient records will be problem-oriented and will provide relevant, factual, and accurate information. Documentation in the Patient Record will always be legible. Entries in the patient record will be dated, times, and signed with title.

8. Maintains positive and caring interpersonal relationships with patients, families, and fellow employees.

9. Offers and accepts constructive criticism and incorporates suggestions into nursing practice.

10. Supports and promotes safety standards. Identifies risk situations and intervenes appropriately.

11. Demonstrates clinical competence by successful completion of the Annual certification of standardized procedures.

12. Current knowledge of Standard Precautions in dealing with potential exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.

13. Other duties as assigned from time to time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Department RN II has overall responsibility for shift assignments and emergency situations. The Department Manager or Director is responsible for the long-term schedule, performance appraisal (with input from other team members), and quality management issues related to patient care, facility, and in-service needs. The RN II is responsible for the appropriate utilization of resources during the shift.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

1. Previous clinical experience in a patient care setting preferred, with successful completion of orientation and training to the point of competence.

2. Knowledge of hospital and nursing policy and procedure, and the function of other departments within the facility.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Must have current licensure to practice registered nursing in the State of California.

Current AHA BLS required upon hire. ACLS and PALS certification as required by the Department.

See policy HRD-00084 for all additional required certifications by department.

These certifications must be completed before the 90-day provisional period and must always be completed before being assigned to full patient care in that area.

AGE OF THE POPULATION SERVED: x ALL

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Manual dexterity with fine motor ability to operate and handle equipment used in the department.

2. Must be able to lift 25 pounds and able to perform tasks of lifting, turning, and transferring patients.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to follow written and oral instructions, must have the ability and desire to learn job functions outlined in the job description, must work as part of a team in order to achieve a common goal, and must maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SCHEDULING AND AVAILABILITY:

Scheduling is determined by patient care needs and includes weekends, holidays, nights, call, etc. Working every other weekend is a minimum requirement. Shift and call assignments are modified to reflect department needs. In staff emergencies, will be able to work on alternate shifts and/or rotating job schedules or similar activities, at intervals for limited periods of time as mandated by department needs.