Registered Nurse - Short Term Observation

RN- Short Term Observation Unit

• 13-bed unit
• Specializing in short-term monitoring, assessment and treatment to determine

discharge or hospital admission.

• Individualized, comprehensive orientation program.
• ACLS and EKG provided.
• Full time 0.9 FTE/72 Hours Biweekly

*

Schedule

Night – 7pm-7am

• Every third weekend
• Eligible for shift and weekend differential

The Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for implementing, directing and coordinating the care of patients through the use of the nursing process: assessment, planning implementation and evaluation. Included is recognition and treatment of the physical and psychosocial changes unique to the age/population group served on the specific unit.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions and Responsibilities Job Class Specifics

• Demonstrates safe medication practice.
• Maintains a professional image that reflects the employee’s role in health

care, with confidence and a positive impression.

• Completes chart check to ensure no missed orders.
• Accurately transcribes physician’s orders.
• Demonstrates therapeutic communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to assess patient education needs and use of patient

education resources.

• Demonstrates involvement in unit by attending 50% of staff/committee

meetings and in-services for area.

• Demonstrates leadership through the nursing process and supervision while

maintaining accountability for treatment and patient outcomes.

• Acts as a resource person regarding patient care, specialty area,

orientation and teaching of staff.

• Responds to delays in a calm manner. Apologizes for inconveniences and

gives alternatives.

• Analyzes assessment data, identifies priority problems and documents on

Plan of Care in PCS for patients and families and significant others.

• Uses effective problem-solving skills to plan patient care.
• Identifies critical factors evidencing changes in patient condition and

responds appropriately.

• Completes and documents discharge assessment against plan of care goals.
• Initiates and maintains Intravenous Therapy according to IV standards.
• Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics to prevent injury to self and others.

Safely positions, transfers and transports patients.

• Functions as a virtual nurse as assigned which includes, but is not

limited to, admissions, discharges, education, documentation through a virtual platform and working collaboratively with the bedside nursing staff.

Department: One Medical Surgical - Focused Observation

• Demonstrates excellent customer services skills by frequent interaction

with patient and family, keeping them informed regarding status of care with frequent education and follow-up related to the observation plan.

• Collaboratively coordinates with other departments and disciplines in

order to meet patient's needs.

• Identifies appropriate admission diagnosis and initiates plan of care

based on order set/physician communication.

• Completes accurate problem-focused patient assessment and treatments.
• Follows up with provider for completion of plan and timely discharge.
• Provides basic dysrhythmia interpretation and treatment.
• Provides basic and advanced life support.
• Drug dosage calculation, continuous medication infusion administration,

and patient monitoring for medication affects.

• Identifies abnormal clinical findings and responds appropriately.
• Evaluates patient responses to medications and treatments.
• Demonstrates the appropriate technique for bladder scanner.
• Demonstrates appropriate pre/postoperative patient management.
• Demonstrates understanding and application of pain management techniques.
• Utilizes appropriate fall prevention protocols.
• Rounds with physicians.
• Hemodynamic monitoring including equipment setup and troubleshooting,

monitoring, and recognition of signs and symptoms of patient instability.

• Recognition of the signs and symptoms of cardiopulmonary emergencies and

initiation of standardized interventions to stabilize the patients awaiting transfer to a higher level of care.

• Recognizes indications for and management of patients requiring

noninvasive oxygen delivery systems.

• Completes annual glucometer competency.
• Attends annual skills day for all other unit specific competencies and

reviews.

• Accurately completes and transmits 12 lead EKG2's.
• Completes mandatory education and in-services by due date.
• Maintains general cleanliness of department.
• Recognition of and evaluation of the family's need for enhanced

involvement in care to facilitate the transition from hospital to home.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Standards

Education

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing required; Bachelor of Science in

Nursing is preferred.

• Evidence of participation in educational programs to update and maintain

current knowledge and clinical skills.

Experience

• Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills

required.

• Previous nursing experience in specialty area preferred.
• For Cath Lab, one year of acute care nursing experience (ED, Cath Lab, CCU,

IMCU, Tele-Observation) preferred.

• For Cardiac Rehab, two years experience in Critical Care and/or Progressive

Care required.

• For Cardiovascular Services, two years of experience reading cardiac

monitors and be self directed in responding to abnormalities or cardiac arrests codes as a team member.

• For Device Clinic, at least one year of device management services

required. Successful completion of EKG course required. At least two years of acute care nursing required (Tele-Observation, IMCU, CCU, Cath Lab, ED).

• For Emergency Department, at least one year of RN experience in ED or

Critical Care required.

• For Family Birthing Services, a minimum of 1 year Labor and Delivery

• experience (within the last five years); For Family Birthing position posted as
• a trainee position, requirement of at least 1 year of experience as an RN with
• preferred areas of ICU, CCU, IMCU, ED or internal nurse intern upon successfully
• completing accredited nursing program. Experience requirement does not apply to
• an RN in the Family Birthing Services Fellowship Program (FBSFP)

• For Infusion Services, 6 months of infusion nursing experience required,

and 6 months Midline and PICC experience required.

• For Wound Care Center, two years experience and expertise in the nursing

process related to wound care required. Experience in advanced wound care initiatives preferred.

• For Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, two years experience in

Behavioral/Psychiatric nursing is required. Previous experience in a Behavioral Health Outpatient setting preferred. Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training in accordance with Act31 of 2014 required. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Clearance and finger printing required.

• For Rapid Admission, requires one year acute care experience and successful

completion of EKG course within six months of hire.

• For SDS / PACU, must have experience with, and be familiar with, reading

cardiac monitors and be self directed in responding to abnormalities or cardiac arrest as a team member. Must have recent clinical experience with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and have the ability to lead a Code Blue in the absence of a higher level professional.

• For Medical Surgical (Renal, Oncology and Pediatrics), pediatric experience

is preferred.

• For One Med Surg Observation, at least on year of Med Surg, Telemetry or ED

experience preferred.

• For Level II NICU, a minimum of one year NICU experience (within the last

five years); For Level II NICU position posted as a trainee position, requirement of at least 2 years of experience in: NICU Level 1, Labor and Delivery, Post-Partum, Nursery, PICU, ICU, ED, or CCU. Or, for Level II NICU position posted as a trainee position, requirement of a new graduate RN with (A) practicum/capstone in Labor and Delivery, Nursery, or NICU, or (B) experience as Tech/Aide in Labor and Delivery, Post-Partum Nursery, or NICU.

Certifications/

Licensure

• Eligible for or currently licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in

Pennsylvania.

• Certification in specialty preferred.
• CPR certification required.
• ACLS required for Cardiovascular Services, CCU, Device Clinic, Emergency,

IMCU, FBS, Tele Observation, PACU/SDS, One Med Surg, or achieved within one year of start date.

• ACLS required for Cardiac Rehab or achieved within 3 months of

hire/transfer.

• Proficiency in cardiac monitor interpretation, conscious sedation, and ACLS

required for Cath Lab or achieved within 6 months of hire/transfer.

• ACLS required for Float Pool.
• PALS required for Emergency, PACU, and Pediatric trained staff within one

year from start date.

• PALS and Conscious Sedation is required for SDS, or must be achieved within

four months of hire/transfer.

• CNOR preferred for OR.
• CPAN/CAPA preferred for PACU/SDS.
• CRRN preferred for Rehabilitation Medicine.
• NRP required for Level II NICU.
• NRP and Fetal Monitoring education required for Family Birthing Services

within one year from start date.

• PMH-BC preferred for BHS (IP and OP).
• Proficiency in cardiac monitor interpretation required for PACU/SDS, IMCU,

Tele Observation, One Med Surg, CCU, Cardiac Rehab, Cardiovascular Services, Cath Lab, and Emergency.

• Temporarily reassigned personnel will work in a limited scope of practice

consistent with credentials and be supervised by appropriately credentialed staff.

• WOCNCB or CWCN preferred for Wound Care Center.