RN - Thoracic Surgery CASUAL

Job Summary/Overall Objectives

The RN Subsidiary will perform direct patient care activities such as lab tests, treatments, and medication administration. These are performed under the direction of the physician in preparation for the patient’s examination and treatment. RN will utilize nursing process to assess patient’s condition and direct to the appropriate level of care using internal and external resources. Carry out clerical activities. Quality control activities, performance improvement initiatives, etc. in order to support the physician and practice as assigned. 

Essential Job Functions

• Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the RN Practice Act, hospital, and/or physician practice policies, procedures, protocols and other professional standards of care.
• Collect patient health care data, including VS, weight, chief complaint and pain assessment focusing on the physical, psychosocial, age, cultural and spiritual needs for the patient.
• Complete initial assessment of the patient’s health history, learning needs and barriers, physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual needs and reassess annually.
• Involve the patient/family and other healthcare professionals when appropriate.
• Complete patient care treatments/testing as ordered by the physician.
• Administer medications/immunizations using appropriate routes and techniques specific to age of the patient.
• Comply with completeness, accuracy and timeliness of documentation.
• Provide education and instruction, within their scope of practice, to patients and families.
• Assess the patient’s readiness to learn, educational needs and educational barriers.
• Provide educational material and/or instruction based on assessed needs.
• Document all education/instruction provided including topic, individual provided to and understanding.
• Maintain collaborative relationship with physicians to achieve desired patient outcomes.
• Prepare patients for examinations, treatments, and procedures.
• Assist the physician with treatments and procedures as requested.
• Provide for patient safety in compliance with hospital and physician practice policies.
• Utilize two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
• Label all patient specimens with identifiers per policy.
• Use patient identifiers on all written documentation, including notes and point of care testing results.
• Assist in compliance with all regulatory agency requirements.
• Adhere to infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
• Participate in non-punitive medication reporting.
• Demonstrate leadership by utilizing the concepts inherent to the practice of professional nursing.
• Demonstrate an ability to solve problems independently and seek assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Maintain accountability for actions taken.
• Delegate patient care appropriately.
• Effectively function as a resource person.
• Act as a patient advocate.
• Perform effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
• Assist in maintaining/decreasing organizational/departmental costs.
• Coordinate communication between patients/families and physician practice, pharmacies, specialists and insurance carriers.
• Provide advise based on protocols and physician instructions and direct patients to the appropriate level of care.
• Facilitate patient’s access to prescription refills based on physician order.
• Obtain prior authorizations and/or assist with indigent programs per physician order based on the patient’s financial status or insurance coverage.
• Support performance improvement initiatives within the physician practice.
• Assist in data collection as directed by the manager/physician.
• Incorporate into practice performance improvement initiatives that have been implemented.
• Maintain the environment of care.
• Ensure that supplies in patient care areas are replenished daily.
• Consistently maintains a clean safe environment.
• Follow policies pertaining to daily/weekly/monthly quality control for refrigerator temperature, and equipment controls.
• Perform POC testing as ordered by the physician.
• Complete all quality control testing per policy and manufacturing guidelines.
• Use two patient identifiers, name and DOB, prior to testing.
• Follow appropriate procedures when collecting patient specimens.
• Accurately record patient test results on appropriate result form and testing log.
• Identify results that are out of acceptable range and follow up prior to performing patient testing.
• Prepare forms, copy records and respond to requests per policies and procedures.
• Assist in maintaining the patient’s record to facilitate filing and retrieval of information.
• Participate in staff education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program required.

• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.
• Previous experience in an outpatient office setting.
• Experience in Healthcare setting.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program required.

• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 Clearances

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

 This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.