GENERAL SUMMARYThe professional registered nurse possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary for the delivery and management of patient care from admission through discharge. The professional registered nurse is knowledgeable of current trends in healthcare including but not limited to advances in technology, pharmacology, treatment care modalities, quality and patient safety. The professional registered nurse serves as a patient and family advocate while facilitating a cooperative and collaborative environment among all health care providers. The professional registered nurse is responsible for the planning, delivery and management of patient/family centered care utilizing the nursing process and adhering to the standards of nursing practice embedded in research, evidence based practice and/or best practices. The professional registered nurse at Tufts Medical Center provides clinical excellence, which fosters and supports an environment central to our patient and family centered model of care.PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESNursing Process: Utilizes theoretical and evidence-based knowledge in partnering with patients and their families to assess, plan, implement and evaluate age appropriate care.Assess:Collaborates with patient, family/significant others and other disciplines to identify expected outcomes based on synthesis of data and diagnosisIdentifies cultural needs (i.e. language, etc) to develop a care plan that enhances the health care experiencePlan:Develops individualized outcomes-based care plans incorporating the patient and family’s readiness and barrier to learningOrchestrates and validates a plan of care for each shiftInitiates interdisciplinary patient/family meetings to facilitate communication regarding the plan of careCommunicates and coordinates the patients discharge plan utilizing unit-based and community resources to ensure a seamless transition for the patient and their familyThe plan of care utilizes principles and concepts of project, organizational or systems managementImplement:Implements the plan in a safe and timely mannerDocuments the implementation and any modifications, including changes or omissions, of the identified planCollaborates with nursing colleagues and others to implement the planUtilizes evidence-based interventions and treatments specific to the diagnosis or problemProvides and coordinates health teaching which is required by individuals, families and groups to maintain an optimal level of healthDocuments per hospital and regulatory requirements/policies, all aspects of care, including but not limited to, treatments/procedures performed and patient responseEvaluate:Evaluates the effectiveness of the planned strategies in relation to patient responses and the attainment of expected outcomes and knowledgeThe nurse uses the evaluation process to update the plan of care as dictated by the patient response and/or if desired outcomes have not been achievedProfessional Performance:Clinical Practice: The professional registered nurse demonstrates and applies the skill and judgement necessary to implement the nursing plan of care, nursing interventions and procedures necessary for the care of the patient and family based upon critical thinking skills and a spirit of inquiry.The plan of care is evidence based and utilizes research when appropriateIncorporates new knowledge and strategies to initiate change in nursing care practicesDemonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age appropriate culturally and ethnically sensitive care to all patients and familiesPerforms procedures and treatments using nursing knowledge and judgment, according to established unit/practice area guidelines and professional standardsSafely administers and assesses the patient response to medication utilizing essential knowledge of pharmacology and Hospital and Department Standards of CareMaintains clinical competency with respect to technology and utilizes equipment in a safe mannerPerforms as an advocate and as an educator for patients and familiesQuality:The professional registered nurse provides high quality in an efficient and a safe manner. The professional nurse utilizes data trends to support and improve clinical practice.Participates in hospital and/or unit based patient safety and quality activities and uses principles to support and improve patient outcomes (unit-based, hospital-wide, The Joint Commission, NPSGs, NDNQI, Patient First and other local, state and federal patient safety initiativesParticipates in performance improvement activities through data collection, analysis and evaluationChampion for quality, safety, regulatory, and patient-family satisfactionCollaboration: Facilitates cooperative and collaborative relationships among the various disciplines and departments to ensure effective quality patient care deliveryMaintains a collaborative work relationship with peers and colleagues in order to create a positive and professional work environmentSupports collaboration with nursing colleagues and other disciplines to implement plan of care by participation in nursing, physician, and case management reporting roundsDelegates responsibilities to others with an understanding of their roles, knowledge and capabilitiesService Excellence: The professional nurse influences others by establishing a climate for optimal patient care, mutually supportive collegial relationships, and professional development.Treats both internal and external customers with courtesy, respect and caring behaviorPromotes a safe, clean, therapeutic environment for patients, families and staffAcknowledges cultural differences that exist among staff and patientsIdentifies customer service needs on the unitPresents self in a professional and calm mannerProvides responsible and efficient use of resourcesProfessional Development: The professional registered nurse participates in lifelong learning activities that assist in developing and maintaining their continuing competence, enhance their professional practice and support achievement of their career goals.The professional registered nurse maintains current licensure and adheres to the Massachusetts Nurse Practice ActAssumes responsibility for participating in educational opportunities to support and meet clinical competency requirementsSeeks out educational and professional resourcesDevelops professionally as a self-directed, motivated learnerMay assume charge nurse functions in collaboration with unit leadershipSeeks out advanced certification opportunities and ongoing education opportunitiesPrecepts and mentors newly hired staff and nursing studentsInvestigates available technology and resources to apply evidence based practice and research into daily professional activitiesProvides leadership at the bedside as a delegator, collaborator, facilitator, and communicatorPromotes unit and organizational growth through a shared governance modelCommunication: The professional registered nurse seeks out and shares job related information that supports a culture of respect and responsibility.Assumes responsibility and ownership for professional conductAccepts responsibility for positive and productive communication skillsAttends and actively participates in staff meetings. Accepts responsibility for reading staff meeting minutes when not able to attendAccepts responsibility for reading emails to keep current with unit and hospital based informationJOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSPossesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.Ability to provide care for a designated group of patients according to unit guidelines and hospital policies, procedures and protocols.AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIESHas the skills and knowledge to provide care to the age groups of the population served including:Knowledge of growth and developmentAbility to interpret age specific data and response to careProvide age appropriate communicationEDUCATIONBachelors Degree required, Bachelors Degree in Nursing preferred.BLS Certification requiredEXPERIENCEVaries according to unit requirements and needs.LICENSECurrent Massachusetts Registered Nurse LicensePHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONSProlonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walkingLifts, positions, pushes and/or transfer patients and equipmentConsiderable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouchingFrequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc.Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases and other transmissible infectionsContact with patients under wide variety of circumstancesSubject to varying and unpredictable situationsHandle emergency and crisis situationsSubjected to irregular hoursMay have contact with hazardous materialsAMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled. Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. 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