Description

Job Summary

The Registered Nurse- Emergency Department, provides immediate, high-quality care to patients in emergency situations within a Critical Access Hospital, utilizing a unique blend of skills and a comprehensive scope of practice. Assesses, stabilizes, and treats a wide variety of patients, from minor injuries to critical, life-threatening emergencies.
Triages and assesses patients upon arrival to determine acuity
Administers medications, treatments, and emergency interventions
Monitors and documents patient status and vital signs
Collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary teams
Prepares patients for transfer or admission as needed
Participates in emergency preparedness drills and protocols
Maintains accurate and timely documentation in EHR/Epic systems
Demonstrates the ability to manage multiple priorities and organize workload; including critical thinking, delegation skills and respectful communication.
The capacity to make quick, sound decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment is critical as is the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and a small, tight-knit interdisciplinary team, often coordinating care across different departments or external transfer facilities.

Essential Job Functions

Job functions are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the jobs purpose and objectives. Job functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable.

Completes admission assessment according to unit policy, utilizing past medical history, therapeutic communication, and physical assessment
Takes a brief history to include allergies and current medications.
Identifies nursing diagnosis/collaborative problems to determine appropriate interventions within the framework of accepted standards of care
Interprets reports and records and utilizes data in assessment and care planning
Ensures efficiency and accuracy of orders
Administers medications including, but not limited to: oral, injectable, intravenous solutions, and blood components. Administers medications and IV fluids as prescribed and utilized the five rights of medication administration for safety
Performs venipuncture and starts IV's according to current procedures and infection control policies
Utilizes emergency department equipment correctly and efficiently; demonstrates knowledge of special preparations or equipment needed for department specific procedures
Complies and assists others to comply with established policies and procedures for safety and infection control when observing and/or giving direct patient care
Sets priorities according to patient needs (triage).
Identifies total patient care needs and utilizes appropriate resources to assist in meeting those needs.
Systematically assesses cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurologic condition of the patient. Utilizes ABC's in setting priority for emergency care. Directs, delegates, and serves as a resource for nursing care
Collaborates with patients, families and other health-care team members to identify discharge-teaching needs
Considers the physical, social, psychological, spiritual, age-related and developmental needs of the patient/family
Initiates and documents discharge and transfer planning; facilitates patient centered communication and care
Communicates professionally and effectively with patients, families, coworkers, other health-care team members and ancillary departments to ensure coordination of care
Gives accurate, objective, and complete oral report to oncoming nurse.
Maintains open and effective communication with the medical staff.
Documents on the Emergency Department record in a manner that is appropriate, legible, informative, accurate, and concise with consideration for the medicolegal aspects of documentation, in compliance with documentation standards for Emergency Department at MMHC.
Arranges ambulance transfer via ground or air, including securing the area. Ensures that transferring referrals are complete and appropriate to the nature of the referral
Participates in professional growth and self-development activities to ensure accountability for own professional nursing practice
Participates in staff meetings, committees, and projects; actively contributes to the emergency department quality and development
Collaborates with and delegates to ancillary/professional staff as appropriate; assures adherence to their scopes of practice, considering licensure and/or certification
Checks equipment and stocks area the beginning and the end of each shift. Reports any malfunctioning equipment or supply needs to the Nurse Manager. Is responsible for being able to set up and maintain all equipment used in the Emergency Department.
Demonstrates a working knowledge of all hospital emergency codes and procedures.
Initiates a complete incident report on any unusual occurrence, and reports potential problems to the Nurse Manager.
Perform health screening for employee incidents; provide first aid or notify MD for treatment.
Demonstrates an awareness of medicolegal implications of emergency care by proper documentation of compliance with hospital procedures/policies.
Records any verbal physician orders.
Documents after-care instructions given to all patients. Assumes the responsibility for teaching while assisting patients and assures complete after-care instructions are given prior to discharge.
Assumes responsibility for counting narcotics and checking other medications for adequate supply.
Checks crash cart and drugs for outdates.
Demonstrates accountability in attending staff meetings, in-services, and continuing education opportunities.
Successfully demonstrates professional nursing skills, competencies, and expected outcomes as required for a MMHC Registered Nurse.
Follows chain of command when problems or concerns arise.

Note: This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Registered Nurse or equivalent from two-year college or technical school and currently licensed in the state of Minnesota; BSN preferred.
Equivalent of one-year critical care experience or three years medical-surgical experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Awareness of healthcare policies, regulations, and legal/ethical standards, including patients rights and privacy regulations ( i.e. HIPAA)
Familiarity with patient assessment techniques and the ability to interpret patient data.
Knowledge of developing and implementing patient centered care plans.
Understanding of infection control protocols and safety procedures
Performing patient assessments, including monitoring vital signs and conducting physical examinations. Administering medications safely and accurately, including dosage calculations. Wound care, IV insertion, and other clinical procedures. Basic life support and first aid.
Clearly and effectively communicating with patients, families, and the healthcare team, including explaining complex medical information in an understandable manner.
Developing effective solutions to patient problems and adapting to changing situations, making sound clinical judgements.
Directing and delegating tasks to other nursing staff. Mentoring and guiding junior nurses.
Adapting to changing patient conditions, workloads, and healthcare environments. Embracing new technologies and evolving healthcare.
Being precise and meticulous in administering medications, documenting information, and performing procedures to ensure patient safety and prevent errors. Documentation in the EHR is accurate, timely and meets MMHC standards.
Providing care that respects patients diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values. Acknowledging and addressing unconscious biases to deliver equitable care.
Ability to work independently and meet the demands of a Critical Access Hospital/ rural hospital environment.
Skilled at incorporating AIDET into professional practice.
Knowledge of role in patient confidentiality and protecting patient information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure as defined by HIPAA.
Ability to respond quickly and decisively to emergency situations, while participating in shelter-in-place and disaster response protocols.
Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, communicating effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for providing care to specific patient populations.
Ability to lift, move, and position patients and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

BSN preferred
Knowledge of CAH-specific regulations and rural health challenges.

Licenses & Certifications

Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing; BSN preferred
Currently registered with the Minnesota Board of Nursing
CPR certification required
ACLS and TNCC certification or ability to attain within six (6) months of employment or registered for next available class, and maintain certification(s), ability to obtain and maintain- PALS, ENPC, TNCC, etc.

Computer Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), secure messaging applications, and collaborative tools (e.g.) Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace. Proficient with Paycom and other Information Systems applicable to position, including knowledge of Emergency Preparedness Websites/MNTraInternet software; order entry and order processing systems and ability to thoroughly document clinical services, maintain accurate patient records, and effectively utilize electronic health record (EHR) systems i.e. EPIC.

Reasoning & Critical Thinking

Apply logical problem-solving and decision-making skills in complex situations. Make sound decisions in real time, often under pressure (early warning signs, inconsistencies, potential complications) using critical thinking. Analyze data and scenarios to identify patterns, inconsistencies, and opportunities. Evaluate multiple approaches and propose innovative solutions with sound judgement. Able to work independently with limited supervision.

Language & Communication Skills

Adapt tone, style, and messaging for diverse audiences and contexts. Ability to write high quality drafts, proposals, reports, and presentations. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one meetings as well as small and larger groups, i.e. employees, customers, vendors, community organizations, etc. Collaborate across departments to relay messages and coordinate care smoothly.

Mathematics & Analytical Abilities

Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculations in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations and in analysis of quality assurance data. Ability to understand bar graphs and other visual representations of data. Accurately record and interpret clinical measurements. Use EMR systems and care documentation tools to analyze data trends and support treatment.

Standards of Employment

Understand and adhere to MMHCs compliance standards as outlined in MMHCs Compliance Program.
Attend all mandatory education programs and demonstrate proficiency related to general safety and regulatory compliance.
Attend all department-specific training, and demonstrate proficiency related to safety and job-related hazards.
Understand and follow MMHC procedures for exposure control / blood borne and airborne pathogens.
Comply with all relevant MMHC policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory standards and requirements.
Attire is neat, clean, and appropriate for the work environment and according to MMHC policies.
Wear proper identification while on duty.
Maintain confidentiality of all MMHC and patient information at all times.
Report to work on time and maintain defined standards for attendance.
Attend mandatory meetings.
Able to perform essential job duties that meet job performance expectations and organizational standards while upholding MMHC mission and values.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move (push/pull) up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Lifting/and or moving of more than 35 pounds shall require the use of an assistive device or team member assist. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Ability to meet physical demands of rural hospital/clinic work, including during emergency situations and/or disaster protocols.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; needles or sharps; the challenges of variable hours, shifting resources, and work situations inherent in CAH/rural settings; Hazards and/or Biohazard Medications; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electric shock and radiation; bloodborne pathogens and exposed to latex. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Salary/Compensation: $38.03 - $58.58 per hour