Job Description Summary
At South Shore Hospital, neurosurgery patients are cared for most often on Pratt 6 North. Patients can be treated for many head or brain related issues such as brain and spine tumors, trauma, degenerative spine disorders, and hydrocephalus. As the only Level II trauma center in southeast Massachusetts, this unit is equipped to perform complex spinal and cranial surgery when every second counts.
Job Description
Pratt 6 North Patient Population:
As an RN on the Pratt 6 North unit, you can expect to care for patients with critical neuro-related ailments or injuries. Many patients on this floor require round the clock monitoring and have conditions where quick assessment and action is crucial.
Common procedures and treatments:
- Stroke
- Tumors (including brain, pituitary and spinal)
- Brain hemorrhage
- Adult onset hydrocephalus
- Head trauma
- Chiari malformation
- Concussion
- Herniated disc(s) (cervical & lumbar)
- Lumbar stenosis
- Degenerative disk disease(s)
- Spinal fracture
- Sports-related head and spine injury
- Advanced chronic pain
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Ulnar nerve palsy
An RN joining the Pratt 6 North team MUST have the following skills, certifications, or specific experience:
1. RN license from accredited Nursing School
2. ACLS certification (must obtain within 6 months of hire if not already obtained)
3. At least 6 months’ experience practicing as an acute care, bedside RN (new grads withoutexperienceareencouraged to apply to SSH’s new grad program)
4. At least 6 months’ experience with Telemetry (including interpreting rhythms)
5. TCARR (Trauma Care After Resuscitation) (must obtain within 6 months of hire if not already obtained)
6. ERT (Emergency Response Training) (must obtain within 6 months of hire if not already obtained)
Although not required, many skills, certifications, and/ or previous experiences would greatly benefit an RN looking to join this team. If you have any of the following, you would be at a significant advantage for training into this unit at South Shore Hospital:
1. Previous Neurosurgery experience in an acute in-patient setting
2. Previous use of the Epic healthcare system
3. Experience with the following treatments or equipment:
- ----- Brain or spinal surgery recovery
- ----- Ventriculoperitoneal shunts
- ----- Stereotactic radiation therapy
- ----- Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain
- ----- Intrathecal Baclofen pump for muscle spasticity
Other Job Descriptors:
1. Medication Administration
- a. Demonstrates knowledge of and follows SSH policies and procedures for administering, transcribing, and recording medications.
- b. Completes medication reconciliation process following SSH policy and procedure.
- c. Demonstrates proper procedure for the documentation of narcotic withdrawal, administration, verifies count, wastes per policy and resolves narcotic discrepancy.
2. Plan of care/Documentation/Patient Family Centered Care/Patient Experience Develops, discusses, and communicates a prioritized problem list/plan of care for each patient.
- a. Develop, evaluate and update individualized plan of care for patient and documents outcomes.
- b. Initiating admission assessment within 8 hours of admissions, identifies and documents patient/family/significant other teaching needs upon admission and throughout hospitalization.
- c. Continues assessment/reassessment and identifies care needs within established nursing practice.
- d. Documents all patient care following the department of nursing policy, unit based standards, disease processes (CHF, PNA vaccines) and nurse sensitive indicators (falls, skin, CAUTI)
- e. Assess/reassesses and documents patient's level of comfort utilizing the appropriate pain scale and the patient's response to each intervention both pharmacological and non-pharmacological per South Shore Hospital policy.
- f. Works on behalf of patient /family. Seeks help to represent patient/family when they are unable to represent themselves.
- g. Raises ethical questions and concerns with clinical team. Seeks available resources to help formulate and understand ethical decisions.
- h. Actively communicates plan of day via white board updating every shift.
- i. Facilitates discharge/transfer by goal of 12:00pm, communicates barriers utilizing chain of command.
3. Safety/Quality - Foster's a "Culture of Safety" through personal ownership and commitment to a safe environment.
- a. Verifies patient identification with two identifiers prior to the start of any invasive procedure, including "time out", administration of care, medications, labeled specimen's an documents confirming the correct patient, procedure, site, equipment and consent.
- b. Complies with the current CDC hand hygiene guidelines through proper handwashing. Adheres to universal precautions, makes appropriate use of personal protective equipment at all times and appropriately disposes of hazardous materials. Maintains awareness of MSDS sheets and how to access.
- c. Ensures environment meets regulatory requirements at all times.
- d. Understands and is able to demonstrate individual roles and responsibilities in the event of hospital codes/emergency preparedness.
4. Professional Development: Assumes overall responsibility for own professional development by incorporating evidenced-based practice, research, and performance improvement initiatives as a part of ongoing nursing practice.
- a. Obtains at least 5 contact hours per year in area of practice.
- b. Practices within the legal boundaries of MA Nurse Practice Act. Directs other licenses and non-licensed personnel as assigned.
- c. Displays the ability to accept and respond appropriately to feedback and recommendations for change.
- d. Demonstrates professional working relationships with colleagues from all disciplines to promote a positive/encouraging workplace.
- e. Critical Thinking: analyzes causes of problems, identifies and evaluates alternative solutions, and selects appropriate solution, and communicates appropriately and effectively utilizing chain of command.
- f. Accountable for being informed about changes in hospital policy and procedure.
5. Technology: Utilizes technological solutions to work processes and practices.
- a. Access Lotus Notes to review email, learning management and other resources as applicable to RN role.
- b. Utilizes software applications required by department and unit standards.
- c. Accountable to understand how to operate in downtime.
6. Compliance
- a. Works within legal, regulatory and ethical standards relevant to the position.
- b. Complies with applicable policies and procedures.
- c. Safeguards the privacy and security of patient information. The employee compiles will policies and procedures relating to SSH’s privacy and security programs.
- d. Brings potential compliance issues to a manager, supervisor, director or VP.
- e. Complies with the mandatory education requirements of the compliance, privacy and security programs.
7. Patient and Family Centered Care
- a. Conveys respect for values, preferences, and expressed needs of the patient and family.
- b. Recognizes the patient, and family according to patient preferences, as important members of the health care team.
- c. Collaborates with the patient, and family according to patient preferences, in planning, implementing, and evaluating care.
- d. Welcomes the presence and participation of family members at all times according to patient preferences, regardless of rounds, change of shift, or other events on unit.
8. Age & Culture
- a. Possesses age and cultural knowledge and awareness.
- b. Considers the individual needs of each person with whom they interact.
- c. Interacts with sensitivity in the delivery of care/services of diverse populations as needed.
- d. Effectively utilizes resources to provide care/services - such as, interpreter services and on-line sources.
Minimum Education
- Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing
Minimum Work Experience
- Previous Acute Care RN experience (at least 6 months)
Required Licenses/Certifications
- RN - Registered Nurse
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
- Emergency Response Training Certification
- Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), Trauma Care After Resuscitation (TCAR) Certification may be required
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