Graduate Nurse - Observation Unit

It's more than a career, it's a calling MO-SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

Worker Type

Regular

Job Highlights

Join a team where your work matters—every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM Health, you’ll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact. Being a nurse is more than a job, it’s a calling. That is why SSM Health wants to invest in your future. As a new graduate nurse hired with SSM Health, you will participate in the SSM Health Nurse Residency Program. This will allow you to connect and learn from other graduate nurses across the system as you work to enhance your confidence, knowledge, and practical skill. The residency program is designed to complement your education and support your continued professional growth. Department: Observation Unit

Schedule

Night Shift This unit is a 16-bed observation unit is designed for patients requiring short stays of 24-48 hours. Apply today. SSM Health – We bring out the incredible in you, everyday.

Job Summary

Pre-licensure graduate of an accredited nursing program who actively participates in SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital New Graduate Nurse Residency Program. Under the direction of RN, provides care to patients within scope of role and professional standards. Responsible for the delivery of age appropriate care for assigned patients with a wide variety of medical conditions.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements

Position accountabilities and performance criteria

Essential Functions

The following are essential job accountabilities and performance criteria:

Under the direction of the RN Preceptor

• Performs comprehensive nursing assessment/reassessment.

Criteria A) Performs age-appropriate admission assessment or transfer assessment. Obtains input from family/guardian when appropriate. B) Accurately and completely documents findings. C) Performs assessment of post-op/post-invasive procedure patients. D) Assesses and documents education and discharge needs of patient and family on admission and throughout hospitalization. E) Provides patient reassessment documenting pertinent observations according to the patient plan of care, changes in condition, status and/or diagnosis, response to care, procedures, etc., and standards of care.

• Establishes, coordinates and evaluates a plan of care based on analysis of assessment data, patient diagnosis, lab data, tests, procedures, physician orders, protocols and standards of care and other information as relevant.

Criteria A)Identifies short and long term goals based on patient care needs. B)Formulates nursing interventions to achieve desired patient outcome. C) Incorporates disease specific evidenced based practice into nursing care plan and other documentation 3)Provides and documents nursing interventions based on assessed patient needs, plan of care, and changes in patient status.

Criteria A) Collaborates with appropriate health team members for coordination of daily plan of care for assigned patients. B) Provides, coordinates and communicates patient care, including accurate Handoff Communication Reports. C) Administers and documents medications accurately according to policies and procedures.

D) Monitors, maintains and documents accurate IV fluids and parenteral nutrition according to policies and procedures. E) Completes referrals as indicated by assessment data. F) Requests consultation for special needs, equipment, or information for patient and/or family.

G) Provides patient/family education and discharge planning per documentation guidelines and protocol. H) Clarifies all physician orders as warranted. I) Acknowledges and implements physician orders in an accurate and timely manner as evidenced by documentation in the medical record.

J) Assists physician with procedures/treatments as requested or delegates to Care Partner as appropriate. K) Documents "Readback" for all telephone / verbal orders. L) Takes telephone / verbal orders only in emergency situations.

M) Recognizes changes in patient's condition and takes appropriate nursing actions. N) Involves the family/guardian when providing care and in decision-making as appropriate. O) Recognizes risks for patient and takes appropriate action.

P) Incorporates use of Infection Control practices in daily care.

• Documents and or communicates nursing care and or changes in patient condition.

Criteria A) Performs and documents ongoing evaluation of effectiveness of care based on assessment data, nursing interventions, patient response to medications, treatments and procedures. B) Evaluates and documents effectiveness of patient/family education. C) Evaluates plan of care and modifies as indicated in "A" above.

D) Recognizes significant changes in patient's clinical parameters and reports immediately to physician and others as indicated. E) Identifies problems, gathers pertinent data, suggests solutions, communicates using appropriate lines of authority, and works toward problem resolution. F) Reports variation from care/treatment following the occurrence reporting policy and procedures.

5)Specialized Care: Provides specialized care to patients at high risk for injury. Criteria A) Restraint Care

• Initiates/evaluates alternatives to restraint prior to application
• Applies restraints consistent with the approved procedure.
• Monitors and assesses patient's response throughout the restraint period at the appropriate intervals.
• Provides specified patient care (toileting, skin care, hydration, feeding, etc.) on a timely basis.
• Provides consultation for peers to determine alternatives to restraints and 1:1 observation.
• Documents restraint use and associated care thoroughly.

B) Pain Management

• Assess patient for presence of pain on admission and during assessments/reassessments.
• Incorporates patient's cultural/spiritual beliefs regarding pain into pain management plan.
• Implement pain management techniques. Focus on prevention rather than treatment.
• Include patient and/or family members in developing a pain management plan.
• Consider other methods of pain control when developing plan of care: massage, repositioning, immobilization, and music therapy.

C) Abuse Assessment

• Is aware of abuse recognition criteria and incorporates it into assessments.
• Reports signs of possible abuse/neglect to the Administrative Director of Behavioral Health, physician, Risk Management and Social Work.
• Takes appropriate action to support patient safety when signs of abuse are noted.
• Demonstrates accountability for own professional practice.

Criteria A) Adheres to all quality and performance standards, policies, procedures, protocols when implementing clinical and technical aspects of care.

• Participates in learning experiences that increases professional competence.

B) Demonstrates appropriate technical and cognitive skills for area of practice. C) Maintains currency in all hospital/unit information, communication, policies and procedures.

• Attends staff meetings/reviews minutes when absent
• Participates in Committee(s), Shared Governance, Work Team(s), in a leadership and or in membership role
• Reviews Hospital/Nursing publications
• Keeps up to date with policies and procedures
• Participates and or keeps up to date with Shared Governance and Unit Based Practice Council activities and information. Contributes to requests for feedback.

D) Demonstrates ability to change and adapt to changing work demands

• Responds positively to change
• Provides assistance and support to peers, co-workers and other team members
• Adapts positively to changes in unplanned work load and job demands
• Ability to relate to coworkers in a professional and appropriate manner.

Criteria A) Orients and/or precepts new employees when required. B) Participates in and maintains a collaborative team approach toward work. C) Functions as a resource person to co-workers, patients/families, medical staff and other members of the health care team. D) Effectively assumes and delegates care and other activities to the appropriate team member. E) Redirects clinical staff when the medical plan of care is altered. F) Communicates the plan of care to be followed on each individual patient in a precise and professional manner. G) Responsible for the supervision and teaching of students/new staff nurses.

• Safety/Infection Control: Performs job in accordance with safety and infection control policies.

Criteria A) Practices standard precautions and disposes of hazardous wastes per established guidelines. B) Maintains a safe, clean, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients/ families/employees in accordance to hospital standards.

• Maintains clutter free environment.
• Follows hand hygiene procedures.
• Utilizes Safe Patient Handling techniques and equipment.
• Keeps personal conversations/background noise to a minimum.
• Adheres to dress code.

C) Reports risk management concerns using eSRM. D) Assumes responsibility for completing all annual mandatory

requirements

• Maintains current license and certifications
• Maintain up to date BLS and HI
• Annual TB Screening and Influenza vaccination
• Annual Ethics Training (Initial Ethics, if new employee)
• Annual Safety Training
• Required Information Security course
• Required Abuse & Neglect course
• Annual Blood Borne Pathogens training (if required)
• Coursework as assigned for .edu
• Annual competency
• Age/Population specific competency (if applicable)
• orientation competency (if new hire)
• Service Specific

E) Reports variations from care/treatment following the occurrence reporting policy and procedure. F) Work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

• Service: Provides service excellence to the customers of Saint Louis University Hospital by delivering timely, high quality care in a courteous and respectful manner.

Criteria A)Demonstrates care and courtesy

• Provides prompt, respectful, courteous service.
• Meets physical, spiritual, psychological and emotional needs of patients and families.
• Works with other members of the health care team to see that call lights are answered promptly.
• Apologizes for mix-up and delay.

B) Communicates effectively and maintains confidentiality

• Listens to staff/patient/family concerns and addresses needs.
• Explains procedures and all education in a manner that staff/patient/ family understand.
• Allows time for questions.

C) Demonstrates competence and collaboration

• Provides accurate handoff reports.
• Provides quality care in accordance to standards.
• Shares knowledge with other departments to facilitate work flow and continuity.

D) Provides cost effect services

• Uses resources wisely.
• Recommends changes in practice that increases efficiency and minimizes waste.

E) Ensures that customer satisfaction is maintained through the use of the "Principles and Commitments" of the hospital AIDET and "One Mission, One Spirit".

• Incorporates Performance Improvement and Evidenced Based Practice into individual professional practice.

Criteria A) Assist in developing and implementing nursing unit goals. B) Remains current with evidenced based practice initiatives. C) Identifies opportunities for improvement, participates in data collection when requested, suggests solutions, communicates using appropriate lines of authority and works toward problem resolution. D) Participates in the performance/process improvement process.

• Assists in developing unit based Performance Improvement and action plans.
• Leads a performance improvement team when requested
• Contributes to data collection
• Participates in evaluation of Performance Improvement results.

E) Participates in nursing research activities. F) Participates in Departmental and Hospital Performance Improvement activities when warranted. G) Participates in occurrence reviews H) Contributes to the maintenance/improvement of all nursing quality indicators.

• Age…