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:

• The Registered Nurse (RN) works with his/her team partner(s), using the nursing process to assess, plan, implement and evaluate direct patient care. The Registered Nurse (RN) works with his/her team partner(s) to provide quality patient care. As a member of the Patient Care Team, the RN provides hands-on care to patients. Is responsible for making sound clinical decisions and to provide a comprehensive delivery of care to each individual patient; provide a wide variety of patient care activities and services.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Possesses competency in use of technology and computers.
• Demonstrates competency in the use of Smart Pumps.
• Demonstrates competency in administering medication.
• Has knowledge of and utilizes unit specific equipment appropriately.

• Organizes patient care and general unit activities to accomplish required functions with delegation of these activities to other staff as appropriate.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team in planning and organizing patient care from admit to discharge.
• Consistently participates in the multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

• Follows evidence-based policies and procedures to guide nursing practice.
• Demonstrates the following best practices in a consistent and positive manner: Huddles, hourly rounding, bedside reporting, Service Excellence principles, and use of white boards.
• 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.

• Uses the nursing process to effectively assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the plan of care.
• Performs initial assessments and reassessments and documents appropriately.
• Interprets and implements physician orders.
• Competently performs/assists with procedures that are routinely performed.
• Educates patients and families, and documents appropriately.
• Documents accurately according to department policy.

• Is knowledgeable of and actively participates in implementation of Unit PI plan.
• Makes suggestions/recommendations for improved operations.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of School of Nursing.
• Current Louisiana Registered Nurse license or compact state license as Registered Nurse.
• BLS-CPR Certified.
• Ability to read, write and speak intelligible English; Ability to learn quickly, analyze problems and communicate effectively with superiors, peers, and others on one-to-one basis.
• Requires emotional stability and resilience; Must be adaptable to change, be decisive, and demonstrate foresight.
• Must be adaptable to change and receptive to delegated responsibilities; Possesses basic problem solving skills.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Work requires a variety of physical activities including standing and walking for sustained periods, bending and stooping, and some lifting of 50-100 pounds at a time.
• The work environment may be physically confining.
• Many nursing skills require acute hearing ability, i.e. listening with stethoscope to breath sounds and heart sounds.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information with patient, family, peers and medical personnel.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.