Position Summary:

Working in the Pre Admission Services (PAS) unit providing education to patients prior to anesthesia, collecting health history date.

Position Responsibilities:

·         Incorporates scientific, behavioral and humanistic principles for application to clinical practice.

·         Utilizes, adheres and supports departmental standards and practice guidelines.

·         Applies nursing theory to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of patient responses to health and illness. 

·         Assesses patient health care preferences and expectations.

·         Collaboratively coordinates the continuum of care across settings.

·         Develops patient care plan based on patient condition, age, and psychological, educational, and socioeconomic conditions that prescribes interventions to attain expected outcomes.

·         Implements patient care plan according to patient priorities, which includes interventions identified through nursing diagnoses.  Documents/reports interventions and patient/family response.

·         Collaborates and integrates contributions of patients and families into multidisciplinary patient care plan.

·         Develops, coordinates and implements transfer/discharge planning throughout episode of care.

·         Implements nursing interventions according to department, division, and/or unit policies, procedures, and protocols to maintain safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.  Follows universal precautions.

·         Implements emergency care procedures in potential or actual emergencies according to departmental policies, procedures and protocols.

·         Maintains skills/competency related to special equipment, medications, and procedures common to the patient population of the unit/division.

·         Evaluates patient's response to multidisciplinary care.

·         Uses evaluation data to revise and implement change.

·         Assumes accountability for the provision of care for patients. 

·         Assumes responsibility for care provided by self and other staff members under the nurse's direction.

·         Evaluates the quality of nursing care provided by other staff members.

·         Participates as a member of the health care team utilizing effective communication skills.

·         Participates in the development of unit, division, department and hospital policies, procedures and protocols.

·         Contributes to the solutions of staffing issues.

·         Contributes to cost containment strategies in unit.

·         Participates in projects/committees for enhanced functioning of the unit and supports unit level decision-making.

·         Responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of an interdisciplinary plan of care.

·         Participates in ongoing strategic planning process.

·         Participates in the development and implementation of computer applications.

·         Performs other projects or tasks as assigned.

·         Develops and implements patient/family teaching plan based on identified health education needs and the condition and age of the patient.

·         Evaluates and documents effectiveness of patient/family teaching.  Revises plan of care.

·         Participates in the orientation of new nursing staff and the ongoing education of nursing personnel, as directed by the Nurse Manager or designee.

·         Participates in formal and informal teaching with health care students.

·         Serves as clinical teaching assistant for senior level nursing students as directed by the Nurse Manager or designee.

·         Participates in research utilization activities. 

·         Integrates research findings into practice.

·         Applies quality improvement principals to improve patient outcomes.

·         Participates in quality improvement activities.

·         Responsible for identification of improvement opportunities.

·         Functions as a patient advocate.

·         Incorporates the principles of Service Leadership to ensure positive patient/customer relations.

·         Maintains confidentiality.

·         Practices within legal boundaries of the Nurse Practice Act.

·         Complies with personnel policies.

·         Evaluates and validates performance with Nurse Manager or designee and sets goals for work performance.

·         Commits to ongoing learning to maintain and expand own knowledge.

·         Participates in professional development activities.

·         Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills.

·         Remains calm and constructive in conflict situations.

·         Provides recognition and support for colleagues.

·         Incorporates the principles of Service Leadership to ensure positive patient/customer relations

·         Adheres to UIHC policies regarding personal conduct, including: follows established leadership, remaining responsive to instruction and coaching from supervisors and meeting the standards of personal appearance, attendance and punctuality.

Education Requirements:

·         An Associate’s Degree, a Diploma in Nursing, a Baccalaureate Degree, Professional Masters of Nursing and Healthcare Practice (MNHP), MSN/Clinical Nurse Leader or a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN, MA) is required.

Experience Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills with patients/families, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary team members as demonstrated through written and verbal interactions
• General computer skills are required
• A minimum of one year RN telemetry experience or one year of RN post-surgical step-down experience is required
• Current license to practice nursing in Iowa is required by date of hire

Hours will vary but the unit is open during day time hours 0700-1700, no weekends, no holidays, no call.