CLINICAL NURSE II - PEDIATRIC ICU

Job Summary

The Clinical Nurse II is a professional care provider who is responsible and accountable for the overall management of patient care on a specific shift as well as maintaining comprehensive knowledge of patients' condition. Provides safe, effective, and individualized care using the nursing process. Performance of these duties require skills, effective working relationships, setting priorities, and demonstrated knowledge of standard operating policies and procedures.

Typical Duties

A. Competencies

* Provide general direction, guidance and coordination of patient care activities delivered by other levels of nursing staff.

* Make appropriate and timely decisions in a crisis or emergency situation.

* Work and communicate effectively with a variety of individuals.

* Apply knowledge of standard operating policies and procedures.

* Identify, plan of care for the total needs of patients considering their age specific requirements.

* Operate safely clinical equipment necessary for providing patient care.

* Initiate and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation activities.

* Apply the principles of Infection Control and Environment of Care

B. Clinical Practice

* Collects assessment date relative to the following factors: biophysical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual values, environmental, self-care capabilities, safety, infection control, learning needs, and ability to manage continuing care needs after discharge.

* Performs reassessments according to divisional / unit standards and patient care needs.

* Performs transfer assessments when patients are transferred in or out of the unit.

* Ensures completion of transfer assessments.

C. Performs and ensures formulation and communication of an individualized plan of care derived from assessment data.

* Utilizes assessment data in formulating age specific plan of care consistent with: a. the therapies of other disciplines; b. Standards of nursing practice.

* Involves patient / significant others and collaborates with other health care team members in planning nursing care.

* Utilizes principles of growth and development across life span in formulating age specific needs of the patients: neonate / infant, child, adolescent, adult, geriatric.

* Ensures collaboration and communication with patient / family and other health care team members are accomplished.

D. Ensures implementation of the nursing plan of care:

* Performs interventions and ensures implementations are done in a competent, skillful and safe manner.

* Ensure that patient's responses to interventions are evaluated and modified accordingly.

* Ensures provision of interventions to meet patient identified discharge needs.

* Ensures education is provided to patient and family based on assessed learning needs.

E. Ensures accurate documentation:

* Ensures the staff records pertinent information.

* Records accurately, concisely and legibly.

* Signs documentation with legible full signature and classification.

F. Ensures comprehensive delivery of patient care:

* Adheres to and ensures staff follows principles of infection control, environment of care.

* Demonstrates competence in the safe and effective use of clinical equipment and ensures staff does the same.

* Evaluates effectiveness of plan of care and revised interventions as appropriate.

G. Demonstrates leadership / management ability:

* Competent in making patient care / staff assignments.

* Identifies staffing needs to ensure safe, quality patient care.

* Facilities timely admission of patients to the unit.

* Ensures timely discharge of patients.

* Plans, coordinates team / unit care activities.

* Identifies and resolves patient care problems in a timely manner.

* Follows the chain of command in referring problems.

• Demonstrates and promotes teamwork and effective interpersonal relationships with all health care team members, patients, and families.
• Demonstrates knowledge of hospital-wide services and makes appropriate referrals as indicated.
• Participates and facilitates quality assessment and improvement activities, unit policy / procedures, unit rounds, patient care team, conferences, end of shift report, CPR / fire drills.

H. Demonstrates awareness of patient / family rights and ethical / legal issues:

* Ensures patient / family confidentiality and privacy are maintained.

* Treats patient / family with respect and courtesy.

* Takes appropriate actions to address ethical concerns for self and staff.

I. Participates actively in staff orientation and staff development activities for the unit:

* Performs as resource nurse / preceptor when necessary.

* Facilities attendance of staff to scheduled educational activities.

J. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for professional practice, growth and development:

* Maintains certification as required.

* Seeks opportunities to improve professional knowledge and skills.

* Takes accountability for accurate reporting of unusual occurrences, e.g., medication errors, patient falls, etc.

K. Other related performance standards:

* Renews professional license in a timely manner.

* Attends safety, infection control, in-services and maintains all certifications.

* Demonstrates punctuality.

* Maintains good attendance record.

* Adheres to departmental dress code policy.

* Performs other duties as assigned.