The 30 bed Ortho/Neuro Unit at LCMH specializes in orthopedic, neurologic, stroke, and trauma patient care. With a multidisciplinary team and advanced medical equipment, the Ortho/Neuro Unit delivers high-quality care tailored to the complex needs of our patients.

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

• Registered nurses (RN) provide professional nursing care while working in collaboration with physicians and other interdisciplinary team members. Nursing care is provided in a manner consistent with the mission of the organization. The Registered Nurse is responsible for assessing patients’ health problems and needs, educating patients on their illness and condition, developing and implementing patient care plans, and providing emotional support to patients’ and their families. The Registered Nurse is responsible for total nursing care for all patients assigned to him/her by the Nurse Manager and/or Charge Nurse. The Registered Nurse is also in charge of coordinating and delegation of duties to other health care personnel, such as licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants/patient care techs.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team in planning and organizing patient care during preoperative and post-operative periods.
• Knows the competency of staff and delegates duties appropriately.
• Communicates effectively with Director to keep efficient patient flow and assist in monitoring of staff performance.
• Serves as designated charge nurse on the unit on daily basis. Assist in the leadership of unit in absence of Director.
• Uses the nursing process to effectively assess, develop nursing diagnoses & goals, plan, implement and evaluate the plan of care.
• Performs initial assessments and reassessments and documents appropriately.
• Consistently participates in the multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
• Competently performs/assists with all unit based procedures performed.
• Demonstrates competency in administering medication.
• Educates patients and families, and documents appropriately.
• Interprets and implements physician orders.
• Competently performs unit specific procedures
• Directs, coordinates and participates in the direction of staff to efficiently accomplish the coordination of staffing the unit.
• Documents accurately according to department policy.
• Possesses competency in use of technology and computers.
• Demonstrates the following best practices in a consistent and positive manner: Huddles, hourly rounding, bedside reporting, Service Excellence principles, and use of white boards.
• Follows evidence-based policies and procedures to guide nursing practice.
• Is knowledgeable of and actively participates in implementation of Unit PI plan.
• Makes suggestions/recommendations for improved operations.
• Has knowledge of and utilizes unit specific equipment appropriately.
• Understands and appropriately responds to the unique combination of cultural variables that professionals and patients/individuals bring to interactions.
• Evaluates ethical challenges and their potential impact on the patient’s quality of care and the nurse’s professional role. Competently performs/assists with procedures that are routinely performed.
• Demonstrates competency in administering medication and use of Smart Pumps.
• Competently performs unit specific procedures.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of School of Nursing
• Current Louisiana Registered Nurse license or compact state license as Registered Nurse
• BLS-CPR certified
• 2 years of bedside nursing care, preferred but not required.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Work requires a variety of physical activities including sitting, standing and walking.
• Bending, stooping, and lifting is minimal.
• The work environment may be physically confining.
• Must have normal hearing or utilize adaptive hearing devices if duties require listening with a stethoscope to discern breath sounds, heart sounds, and bowel sounds.
• Visual acuity required for a variety of activities.
• Ability to do shift work as required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.