Description
Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.
Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?
Summary:
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To provide professional nursing care in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act, to collaborate with the physician's medical plan, and to execute the objectives and the policies of the hospital.
Responsibilities:
1. Assesses, plans, implements, documents, coordinates, and manages patient care according to department, and ASPAN and hospital standards and giving consideration to age-specific accommodations. a. Utilizes the nursing process for all patients assigned to his/her care: Completes admission assessment according to unit standards Performs and documents ongoing assessment of patients according to department standards. b. Maintains a written, evolving plan of care based on nursing assessment, the medical plan of care and patient need. The plan is initiated according to department standards. c. Provides patient care, which demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of normal physiology and disease pathophysiology, appropriate nursing and medical interventions and knowledge of effects of anesthesia. d. Implements patient plan of care based on evidence-based practice. e. Documents patient response to treatment and effectiveness of care. f. Insures appropriate completion of chart and other documentation including transcription of physician orders and computer entry. g. Insures that no unapproved abbreviations are used when documenting on patient’s medical record. h. Demonstrates appropriate skill in utilization of the computer for automated order entry, data retrieval, reviewing medication administration, nursing care planning and intervention and interdepartmental communication as determined by defined access levels. i. Implements nursing/physician orders that result in achievement of patient, nursing, and physician goals. Evaluates, revises, and improves patient care using creative strategies, current research findings, and consideration of age-specific accommodations. j. Appropriately assigns all Associates under his/her supervision according to their skill level. k. Demonstrates initiative and self-direction in completion of assigned responsibilities in accordance with department needs. l. Performs selected therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures according to department standards as ordered to include but not limited to: medication administration wound care point of care testing initiation and maintenance of oxygen therapy specimen collection utilizing mobile lab when appropriate phlebotomy (venipuncture, capillary), ABG's 12-lead ECG Insertion and maintenance of Nasogastric Tubes (NGT) Flushing and maintenance of central lines: 1. *PICC lines 2. *Single, double and triple central lines
- 3. *Sub Q ports 2 patient identifiers will be utilized before performing these interventions and/or procedures m. Assists patients physically by providing physical support through pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching, turning, kneeling, standing, sitting and balancing, and psychologically by providing emotional intervention. n. Demonstrates ability to perform with clinical proficiency in crises and medical emergencies. 2. Communicates and collaborates with patients, physicians, family members, and other health care disciplines in order to achieve excellence in patient care during hospitalization. a. Utilizes effective interpersonal skills including interaction with staff through understanding, talking, hearing, seeing and listening. b. Involves patient/significant other in all aspects of the plan of care, serving as advocate when necessary. c. Consistently and continuously communicates, consults and shares pertinent information regarding changes in patient status and patient care. d. Uses interpersonal communication techniques that show a willingness to accept and give constructive feedback for the purpose of promoting professional excellence. e. Effectively communicates pertinent patient/significant other information during shift-to-shift report according to department standards. f. Demonstrates leadership skills in team building and interpersonal relationships to create a cohesive and productive environment. g. Recognizes the existence of cultural differences and utilizes appropriate resources available throughout the hospital to respond to the needs of the pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient, family member and/or visitor. h. Follows staffing guidelines. In the interest of patient care, responds to changes or needs within the Patient Services Team by cooperating with staff rotation, reassignment to other departments and weekend/holiday/oncall scheduling. 3. Promotes patient safety through adherence to protocols, policies, procedures, evidence-based guidelines recommended by ASPAN and Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals. a. Maintains safety precautions while providing patient care including infection control isolation, patient/bed positioning, side rails, restraint utilization, skin care, patient/specimen transport, physical environment, fall prevention, seizure precautions, and work injury prevention. b. Analyzes data and responds to unusual/undesirable clinical status by consulting appropriate healthcare team members, including Rapid Response Team, and taking appropriate action in a timely manner. c. Maintains equipment in good working order, reports equipment failure, and initiates corrective action. Where appropriate, adheres to defined computer generated quality monitoring or procedures for validation of equipment functionality. d. Safely administers medications and treatments as ordered according to hospital policy and formulary using the appropriate principles of safe medication administration, 2 patient identifiers. e. Safely handles various types of drugs and body fluids using knowledge of appropriate standard precautions. 4. Actively participates in and supports departmental and organizational quality initiatives and goals. a. Identifies professional goals, which reflect own strengths and weaknesses and seeks assistance for improvement of performance. b. Attends and participates in meetings according to department standards. c. Supports and participates in department, hospital, and evidence-based care quality initiatives, including core measures. d. Participates as a team member or in workgroups on department, hospital and/or ISLT evidence-based care quality initiatives. 5. Maintains clinical competency according to unit-specific standards. a. Demonstrates competency in maintaining specific technological skills required by job category and/or specialty area. See individual department competencies for unit specific requirements. Demonstrates recognition of equipment or technological adaptations dependent on age-specific patient needs (See Scope of Practice as delineated in departmental standards and/or related Policy and Procedure on the Intranet). b. Maintains technological competence through practice and ongoing participation in inservices and formalized professional conferences. c. Acquires and maintains proficiency in IV administration. d. Recognizes legal responsibilities and functions within limitations as specified by the Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act.
Credentials:
Education or Equivalent Experience:
We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.
Live Your Life's Work
We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.
