GENERAL SUMMARY:

Prescribes, delegates and coordinates professional nursing care to pediatric patients through the use of nursing process and in accordance with hospital policy/procedure. Meets job specific standards. Demonstrates competency in identified skills for area. On call responsibilities vary depending on department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts individualized age-specific patient/family assessments upon admission according to defined standards. Ongoing patient/family assessments/reassessments are completed according to the appropriate CPG, PNDS or protocols and unit standard of care.
• Collects and documents data related to patient’s physical, mental, developmental, emotional and social condition.
• Demonstrates age-specific competency in assessment of patients by the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of the patients needs, knowledge of growth and development, and understanding of the treatment needed.
• Circulates and scrubs procedures following AORN guidelines/standards.(OR staff only)
• Assesses patient/family need for education and uses an individualized approach in delivery style.
• Performs ongoing reassessment based on unit standards, CPG’s, PNDS goals and changes in patient condition. Reports changes to the appropriate persons (MD , supervisor, family) as indicated. Develops individualized patient/family plans of care using CPG’s, PNDS goals or protocols to meet physical, psychosocial, developmental and educational needs. Revises plan of care based on patient condition and in collaboration with appropriate disciplines.
• Utilizes assessment data from the healthcare team to individualize appropriate goals and actions for the patient.
• Utilizes individualized assessment data to develop patient/family’s plan of care.
• Formulates goals and outcomes based on assessment data.
• Revises plan of care based on patient’s condition, interdisciplinary input, and family needs.
• Demonstrates ability to prioritize patient interventions based on assessments/reassessments.
• Implements nursing actions in accordance with the patient/family plan of care and patient condition/needs.
• Incorporates critical thinking into the delivery of clinical skills and in analyzing patient response to tests, labs, medication , treatments and procedures.
• Demonstrates clinical competence in administering interventions according to identified standards and age specific needs.
• Uses appropriate resources (policy/procedures, supervisor) when unsure of skill/task to be performed or analyzing patient responses.
• Provides and/or coordinates with other disciplines patient/family education according to identified care needs, considering assessment of patient/family’s readiness to learn.
• Evaluates nursing actions to include patient/parent response and progression toward goal/ outcome, revising as necessary.

• Documentation reflects assessment /evaluation, modification, and patient’s response to therapeutic interventions, procedures, and changes in condition.
• Entries into medical record follow hospital policy.(date, time, use of appropriate abbreviations, and legibility)
• Completes computerized documentation prior to OR/ in the OR or in the PACU depending on area the assigned area,(procedure time(emergency med sheet, allergies, immunizations,etc)
• Completes and verifies order entry, including surgical consents..
• All documentation is accurate and completed within a timely manner.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Performs other duties assigned.
• Accepts assignment to mentor student nurse observation in unit.
• Accepts assignments to share knowledge and provide clinical support as a preceptor for new staff.
• Professionally seeks out opportunities to help teammates during shift as needed.
• Accepts and completes other assigned tasks in a professional manner.
• Answers phone in a timely and courteous manner.
• Accompanies patients/family to room to help facilitate patient flow.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must possess a current valid Nebraska RN license/RN Compact license.
• Must be certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support.
• Other certifications/education as defined by area specific job competencies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred or equivalent experience normally acquired by working as an RN.
• Experience with pediatric patients preferred