Staff Nurse

JOB DESCRIPTION 

1.  NURSING KNOWLEDGE AND ADAPTABILITY

• Awareness of the departmental vision, mission, objectives and its implementation.
• Performs the duties as per the role and expectation of a nurse in providing comprehensive patient care.
• Knowledge about the layout of the unit, number of patients and types of patient and their requirements.
• Interaction, co-operation and team spirit with other staff members.
• Performs assigned duties as per the department’s protocol.
• Maintains all registers used in the unit.
• Accurate knowledge about the forms and formats.
• Performs all special assignments as roster.

2.  SOFT SKILL AND CRITICAL THINKING

• Demonstrates knowledge on AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank) and GST (Greet, smile, thank).
• Utilizes effective communication skills in reporting pertinent information on time.
• Maintains telephone etiquettes.
• Maintains professional decorum and communicates in English/Regional Language in the areas of work with colleagues.
• Adheres to the grooming standards laid down by the department.
• Evaluates effectiveness of nursing care on patient condition.
• Informs Charge Nurse / Supervisor of current activities on the unit and reports unusual occurrence, incidents or other problems and also follows up as needed.
• Utilizes changes of shift report to accurately and effectively to communicate patient condition and intervention.
• Ensures all documentation is clear, concise and timely. Utilizes appropriate clinical terminology.
• Performs independent problem solving and decision making in a logical and deliberate manner, utilizing available resources when needed.
• Exhibits flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the patients and the unit.
• Demonstrates understanding of emergency levels and effectively and safely responds to emergency situation in a calm constructive positive manner.

3.  NURSING ADMISSION ASSESSMENT

• Performs comprehensive nursing assessment on all patients with consideration to clinical condition, pain, activities of daily living, skin allergies, integrity, valuables, safety needs, age, mental, social and physical status etc.
• Identifies patient problems based upon data collected through nursing assessment as well as integrated information obtained through the family. Takes measures to address any vital concerns compromising the haemodynamic stability and safety issues.

Follows all aspects of the hospital policy in terms of safety, personal belongings, medico – legal entity, medications etc.

• Assesses vital signs, important information and reports abnormalities to the consultant and team and carries out orders as per instructions.
• Accurately and thoroughly documents nursing assessment and patient problems using appropriate clinical terminology.
• Completes and documents ongoing assessment.
• Assesses and communicates educational, spiritual, pain management and dietary needs to the concerned.
• Involves, communicates and educates the family members in the future plan of care

4.  PLAN OF CARE

• Formulates nursing care plan in context to care due, care given, safety first, PFE, diet and other needs in each shift noting patient’s needs, age, behavior and concerns identified through nursing assessment.
• Ensures that care is provided with a comprehensive approach always ensuring safety and clinical outcomes.
• Establishes priorities for nursing needs based on nursing assessment, problems identified and estimated length of stay.
• Actively participates in the development of interdisciplinary plan of care as per policy.
• Ensures unmet needs are handed over to the next shift accurately. 
• Acts as liaison with the treatment team and other multidisciplinary staff ensuring accurate communications of relevant information.
• Ensures evidence through accurate documentation.

5.  PROVISION OF NURSING CARE

• Practices within the general policies, philosophy and objectives of the department of nursing and the hospital with focus on safety, quality, infection control and empathy.
• Provides nursing care in a therapeutically efficient manner demonstrating social, clinical and professional judgment and competency.
• Participates in the implementation of the treatment plan utilizing intervention appropriate to the needs of the patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills related to special treatment, procedures, precautions, seclusions, restraints etc.
• Provides supportive counseling of current patient concerns.
• Assesses unit milieu and maintains a safe, therapeutic environment for patients, family members and staff. 
• Assesses and meets activities of daily living needs of patients in dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, eating and sleeping.
• Identifies all vulnerable patients and ensures that the safety first program is followed at all times.
• Demonstrates ability to recognize different types of incidents and responding mechanism for such issues.
• Accurately and thoroughly documents nursing interventions.
• Provides ongoing patient / family education according to individual needs considers factors influencing learning and documents same in the patient’s medical record.
• Safely uses and maintains biomedical equipments.
• Updates and keeps abreast of the HAI statistics and control measures and practices them in the working environment.
• Actively participates in discharge planning, education and care at home along with patient and the family.

6.  MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

• Is knowledgeable about the medication process and ADR
• Accurately transcribes medication and treatment orders for the indenting process.
• Recognizes improper or inadequate orders and reports these to supervisors and physician before proceeding
• Checks and receives medication against the order during pharmacy delivery.
• Accurately and safely administers prescribed medications and treatments using correct methods of administration and adheres to policy (6 R’s of medication, 2 identifiers, allergic history, double check for applicable medicines), admixtures , outside medication, self-medication policy etc.)
• Accurately maintains medications administration record.
• Monitors the patient post administration and reports any adverse events and accurately completes the ADR forms.
• Demonstrates safe storage and control of medication.
• Evaluates and documents patient response to medication regimen.
• Implements the waste management policy
• Is knowledgeable of action, side effects proper dosage and contraindication of drugs being administered.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and documentation requirements for proper administration of medication to protesting patients.
• Accurately identifies need to administer SOS medication and documents effect.
• Immediately reports any medication error, ADRs and accurately completes incidents report or ADR forms.
• Teaches medication management to patients as per discharge planning requirement
• Demonstrates knowledge & competency and complies with the protocol of high alert medication usage (Transcribing, receiving, storing, administering, monitoring, reporting ADR and documenting).

7. PROFESSIONAL SAFETY, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 

• Assumes responsibility for personal and professional growth and development through participation at in service education program, workshop, staff meetings, unit meeting and on the job training
• Will adhere to all safety policies and safe work practices. (Sharps policy, falls, communicable disease etc.)
• Adhere to all hospital policies and procedures.
• Participates in unit staff meeting, monthly meeting with Nursing Leadership, IDTR round which will enhance the quality of services provided to patient.
• Recognizes own limitation, seeks information and advice when unable to solve conflict/ problems on an individual basis.
• Maintains required professional licenses and updation of Registration
• Demonstrates competency in the following areas.

• Basic competency annual competency assessment and training.
• BLS / ACLS/ PALS/ BTLS
• Blood Transfusion
• NABH training
• Fire Safety
• Hazardous Materials
• Infection Control
• Radiation Safety
• Proper use of Biomedical equipment / POCT device.
• ISO Standards
• Waste Management Policy
• Others as when scheduled

• Participates in identifying training needs for individual growth and development.
• Practices the profession as per the laid down code of conduct.

8. CUSTOMER RELATION SKILLS / PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR / 

 OVERSIGHT OF NURSING STUDENTS

• Represents the hospital in a manner, which conveys a professional, courteous, caring and co – operative attitude.
• Is knowledgeable of patient rights and responsibilities and treats all patients with dignity and respect in a consistent and caring manner.
• Understands the need for and maintains appropriate confidentiality at all times when interacting with patients, family, visitors and all other contacts.
• Exhibits excellent customer relations skills as evidenced by supportive and constructive communication with all contacts including co-workers, patient, visitors, and families.
• Utilizes an open, non judgmental, non discriminatory, professional and therapeutic approach to treatment with all patients.
• Demonstrates professional behavior and interpersonal skills reflective of Apollo Hospital mission statement and philosophy.
• Complies with hospital, departmental and human resources policies.
• Promotes a safe work environment for self, patients and co-workers by complying with environment of care, safety, infection control and universal precaution guidelines.
• Maintains a neat, smart professional appearance consistent with hospital dress code.

Maintains scheduling requirements of attendance and punctuality in accordance

• Maintains scheduling requirements of attendance and punctuality in accordance with hospital policy
• Complies with standards of ethics in practice / code of conduct.
• Understands the need for appropriate patient staff boundaries and maintains a strict therapeutic relationship during active treatment. Discontinues communication with patient upon discharge. Informs charge Nurse / Supervisor of any patient contact after discharge.
• Turns negative service into a positive attitude. Able to reverse outcomes by looking for a positive approach
• Has a professional image. Represents the hospital well in a professional manner in attitude and work.
• Practices teamwork. Works within common vision and goal and cooperates with peers and superiors. Strives for excellence in all endeavors. Always looks for ways to work more effectively.
• In collaboration with teaching faculty of School of Nursing, has an oversight on the student nurses during their clinical area posting.

9.  INTERNATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY GOALS (IPSG)

• Is knowledgeable about identifying patients correctly by using two identifiers. 
• Is aware and complies to read back and verbal orders policy.
• Is aware and practices safety of high alert medications.
• Follows pre surgical process to eliminate wrong side, wrong patient and wrong procedure surgery.
• Is aware and complies to the infection control program to reduce the risk of health care associated infection.
• Ensures safety first program for vulnerable patient to prevent falls.

10.  QUALITY & SAFETY

• Is aware and participates and complies to the quality program of the organization. 
• Participates in quality improvement activities as deemed fit by the department.
• Reports near miss / incident / sentinel event.
• Participates in incident analysis if required.
• Promotes safety culture in the organization.

11.  COMPETENCY IN POINT OF CARE TESTING (POCT)

• Is knowledgeable about the basic operation of the POCT device. 
• Is knowledgeable about the sampling procedure
• Is aware about the Quality controls, documentation and daily maintenance of the machine
• Is aware of validation from Laboratory
• Follows infection control practices while dealing with the equipments.
• Checks the Calibration of the machine
• Follows waste management protocol as per hospital policy.

12. COMPETENCY IN COMPASSION

• Being courageous - Courage to ask questions and hear responses.
• Connecting emotionally - Inviting people to share how they are feeling.
• Being curious - Asking questions about even the smallest of things.
• Being collaborative - Talking together, involving people in decisions, bringing people on board, and developing a shared responsibility for actions.
• Considering other perspectives - Creating space to hear about another perspective. Recognizing that you are not necessarily the expert. Checking out assumptions. Being open and realistic about expectations.
• Compromising - Working hard to suspend judgment and working with the idea of neutrality. Helping the person to articulate what he or she needs and wants, and sharing what is possible. Talking together about ways in which you can get the best experience for all.
• Celebrating - Making a point of noticing what works well. Explicitly saying what works well and asking questions.

13. COMPETENCY IN EMERGENCY & TRAUMA CARE

• Demonstrates competency in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
• Demonstrates competency in triage.
• Is knowledgeable on GLASCOW COMA scale.
• Is knowledgeable on pain management.
• Demonstrates skill in management of all types of arrhythmias.
• Demonstrates skill in management of patient with Road Traffic Accident, Burn, Poisoning.
• Is knowledgeable on action and side effects of drugs used in emergency.
• Demonstrates skill in handling patient during transportation and Air lifting.
• Demonstrates skill in handling all biomedical equipments.
• Is knowledgeable on infection control practices.
• Is knowledgeable in management of patients during codes.
• Assesses and provides care for individuals of all ages and condition.
• Ensures valuables are removed from patient and handed over to the next of kin and obtains signature and details of relation to the patient.
• Provides emotional support to the patient and family members.
• Demonstrates skill in coordinating multiple diagnostic tests and care by multiple disciplines and ensures that specimen for lab tests and investigations are carried out promptly.
• Ensures proper handing over and taking over during the change of shift.
• Demonstrates skill to transfer out patient to ICU’s/Wards as per the doctor’s instructions with a detailed hand over to the respective nursing staff.
• Awareness in handling all Medico Legal Cases.
• Ensures diet intimation are sent to dietary and diet is received by the patient.
• Documents admission details, vital signs and all nursing interventions accurately.