Position Summary

The Clinical Staff Nurse is a skilled and experienced professional Registered Nurse (RN) responsible for excellence in the clinical practice of nursing and the management of patient care. Reporting to the Clinical Unit Supervisor of the Emergency Department, the Clinical Staff Nurse has 12-hour accountability for organizing, planning, directing, coordinating, and providing high-quality, individualized patient/family-centered care based on the Watson Model of Care for a defined group of patients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The nurse demonstrates the use of the nursing process as a problem-solving model; utilizing their knowledge and experience to anticipate and plan to meet patient and family needs.
• Nursing assessment is focused to target areas most productive for a given patient population or situation. Recognizes subtle changes in clinical situation; evaluates and appropriately alters the plan of care. Is accountable for prioritizing and organizing patient care and ensuring follow-through with planned care.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age and needs of the patients served on the assigned unit. Consistently applies current literature/research findings and critical thinking skills to make sound clinical decisions.
• Demonstrates the Hospital's Patient Satisfaction effort when interacting with patients, families, and co-workers.
• The nurse develops and maintains a therapeutic nurse/patient relationship throughout the healthcare continuum. Respect for patient's rights is an integral part of the nurse/patient relationship as reflected in our values and mission. Conducts hourly rounding on patients.
• The nurse communicates utilizing the SBAR in all hand-off situations.
• Performs documentation of patient care including: assessment, interdisciplinary plan of care (IPOC), implementation, evaluation, and the Watson Model of Care following unit-specific and hospital documentation policies and procedures.
• Anticipates variables affecting patient comfort and alters physical and psychosocial interventions accordingly, using a variety of modalities. Assists patients/families to maximize the sense of control and actively participate in their recovery.
• Demonstrates a commitment to meeting the learning needs of patients and families. Utilizes appropriate resources to meet those needs and achieve positive patient outcomes.
• Works with Care Managers during the patient's stay and takes a proactive role in coordinating interdisciplinary discharge planning for a specific patient population.
• Reviews all orders on patients and communicates changes in the patient's condition with physicians and other team members. Contacts the physician promptly with significant changes in the patient's condition, collaborates professionally for required orders, and follows up with revised care.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of nursing interventions and documents outcomes in the IPOC.
• Utilizes patient classification system according to standards.
• Demonstrates the ability to plan, supervise, instruct, and evaluate ancillary nursing personnel, floats, orientees, and registry staff. Ensures that an evaluation is completed each shift for registry/floats.
• Upholds professional appearance and demonstrates such through adherence to the dress code. Wears the hospital I.D. badge and promotes the standard of proper identification for peers and staff.
• Maintains a safe and clean environment that complies with regulatory standards, including Patient Safety Goals.
• Participates in the implementation of the unit-specific Quality and Performance Improvement Plan, completes monitoring forms and reports findings to the Clinical Unit Supervisor and Nurse Manager.

Position Requirements

A. Education

• Bachelor of Science degree in nursing preferred
• Associate in nursing required

B. Qualifications/Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year of clinical nursing experience in Emergency Department nursing with regard to regulatory guidelines and standards of practice. RN's new to the specialty will have a minimum of one-year clinical nursing experience.
• Current California Nursing license.
• Certification in Emergency Department Nursing preferred.

C. Special Skills/Knowledge

• Bilingual skills preferred (Spanish)
• Basic computer skills
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Current Managing Aggressive Behavior (MAB) within 90 days of hire or notification requirement
• Completion of Emergency Nursing Department course preferred
• Electronic Medical Record experience preferred