Professional Nurse I; PN II; PNIII; PNIV

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Department: Patient Care Services FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The Professional Nurse II, III and IV is a fully competent practitioner of nursing. The Professional Nurse I (PNI) is a

Registered Nurse who is a beginning professional caregiver, entering into practice and establishing a professional

identity. The incumbent is responsible for the practice of nursing according to the Rules and Regulations defined in the State Nurse Practice Act, the Hospital Standards of Care/Practice, policies and procedures. The PN is responsible for the delivery of patient care to assigned patients on a Nursing Unit, and for the supervision of other qualified staff to whom the PN has delegated patient care in the exercise of his/her independent judgment. The Nurse plans and evaluates the nursing care for patients and families and exercises independent judgment in implementing the care him/herself or assigning the care to other qualified staff. The nurse addresses physical, spiritual, emotional and educational needs of the patient, and coordinates the plan of care with other healthcare professionals. The incumbent performs duties and tasks in accordance with performance standards established for the job. The incumbent is responsible for participation in and completion of all patient safety initiatives appropriate to the position. In addition, the incumbent conducts all job responsibilities according to the Mission and Values of the Hospital.

JOB RELATIONSHIP:

Position reports to: Nurse Manager

Position(s) supervised: Subordinate staff, such as other Professional Nurses and CNA’s

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State

Healthcare Provider/Professional Rescuer certification is required.

See unit requirements for additional certifications required

BASE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Code: N = Never O = Occasionally (<20%) F = Frequently (20% to 80%) C = Constantly (>80%)

Exposure to Adverse Working Conditions:

Noise, Noxious Odors, Temperature...... F Hazardous Materials ...... C

Potentially Threatening Abusive Clients...... C Communicable Diseases ...... C

Physical Conditions:

Close Eye Work (computers, typing, reading, writing) ...... F

Sedentary (continuous sitting)...... O

Light Work (standing, walking, lifting < 15 pounds) ...... C

Moderate Work (lifting, 15-30 pounds, prolonged use of small hand instruments)...... F

Moderately Heavy Work (lifting, moving, loading 31-50 pounds) ...... F

Heavy/Hard Work (above average strength and stamina, lifting > 51 pounds) ...... O

Professional Practice

Patient Safety

PNI

Provides safe and effective patient care by using best practices during hand off communication and when reporting patient care information and appropriately asks for assistance from other staff.
Demonstrates knowledge and skills in location, operation, and care of unit equipment.

PNII

Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment by understanding and complying with hospital policies/procedures and national safety goals, and identifying & communicating workarounds that have a potential impact on patient safety.
Demonstrates knowledge and skills in location, operation, care and trouble-shooting of unit equipment independently.

PNIII

Promotes a safe and therapeutic environment by understanding and complying with hospital policies/procedures and national safety goals, and identifying & communicating workarounds that have a potential impact on patient safety.
Recognized by peers as a resource in location, operation, care and trouble-shooting
of unit equipment.

PNIV

Promotes a safe and therapeutic environment by assisting with the planning and implementation of hospital policies/procedures and national safety goals, and proactively identifies workarounds that have a potential impact on patient safety.
Recognized by peers as an expert in location, operation, care and trouble-shooting of unit equipment.

Clinical Assessments

PNI

Performs and documents systematic assessments according to established criteria.
Recognizes and responds to abnormal diagnostic data and reports to appropriate provider.

PNII

Performs and documents comprehensive and holistic assessments.
Interprets and responds to abnormal diagnostic data. Anticipates potential emergency situations and intervenes safely with assistance if needed.

PNIII

Performs and documents comprehensive and holistic assessments.
Anticipates and responds to subtle shifts in patient data or status and collaborates with appropriate provider.
Independently identifies an actual or potential emergency situation and intervenes safely.

PNIV

Performs in-depth, discriminating assessments utilizing advanced knowledge and skills.
Anticipate and detects subtle shifts in patient status and/or needs often before the presence of objective measurable signs, proactively responds and collaborates with providers.
Demonstrates the ability to effectively handle actual or potential emergency situations calmly and directs others in such situations; is a “go to” person for difficult and emergency situations.

Caring & Code of Conduct

PNI

Develops and maintains a professional and personable relationship and appearance with patients/ families and staff.

PNII

Develops a relationship with the patient/family that facilitates mutual involvement in the planning of care.
Seeks resources for reconciling one’s own personal issues and biases.

PN III

Begins to incorporate the principle of “nursing presence” in patient encounters by recognizing each patient as a unique human being.

PNIV

Demonstrates the principle of “nursing presence” in all patient encounters.
Approaches each patient as a unique human being to maximize patient’s involvement incorporating patients’ strengths to promote positive outcomes.

Critical Thinking

PNI

Utilizes theoretical knowledge base to operationalize care.

PNII

Demonstrates basic critical thinking skills.

PNIII

Applies critical thinking skills as a routine part of practice and questions
appropriateness/effectiveness of treatment and outcomes.
Seeks evidence based alternative methods to achieve optimal outcomes.

PNIV

Utilizes critical thinking skills to assess each patient's care for missed opportunities.
Assists others in developing critical thinking skills for complex problem resolution.
Analyzes evidence based alternative methods to achieve optimal outcomes.

Documentation

PNI

Documentation is accurate and complete reflecting adherence to hospital, regulatoryand legal requirements.

PNII

Documentation is concise, accurate, and complete reflecting adherence to hospital,regulatory and legal requirements.

PNIII

Documentation is done timely in a concise, accurate, and complete manner reflectingadherence to hospital, regulatory and legal requirements.
Participates in development, evaluation, or improvement of documentation tools.

PNIV

Documentation upholds the standard of practice reflecting adherence to hospital,regulatory and legal requirements.
Recognized as a documentation systems expert.

Population Specific Competency

PNI

Completes population-specific mandatory education competencies as defined by theunit specific scope of service.
Provides culturally competent care to patients and families.
Provides patient centered care.

PNII

Completes population-specific mandatory education competencies as defined by theunit specific scope of service.
Identifies age, cultural, or other population specific patient needs based onassessment findings.
Works collaboratively with patients and families of diverse backgrounds to developplan of care.
Is tolerant of differences posed by patients and families while cognizant of personalbiases.

PNIII

Completes and assists in the development of population-specific mandatoryeducation competencies as defined by the unit specific scope of service.
Actively researches and implements multidisciplinary care plans for patients withpopulation-specific care needs.
Is accepting of differences posed by patients and families while cognizant ofpersonal biases.

PNIV

Completes population-specific mandatory education competencies as defined by the unit specific scope of service.
Actively researches and implements population specific multidisciplinary care plans with patient and family involvement.
Assists in development of population specific standardized care plans.
Recognized as a unit or hospital resource on issues of cultural diversity and population specific care.

Evidenced Based Practice & Research

PNI

Practice is consistent with Mercy policy and procedures.
Demonstrates awareness of evidence based practice.

PNII

Practice is consistent with Mercy policy and procedures.
Understands evidence for practice change.
Demonstrates knowledge of reliable resources to support evidenced based practice.

PNIII

Practice is consistent with Mercy policy and procedures.
Incorporates research and evidence into policy development to enhance clinical practiceand collaborates with interdisciplinary colleagues as needed.
Active in communication of practice changes.

PNIV

Practice is consistent with Mercy policy and procedures.
Incorporates evidence and research to policy change and development.
Identifies opportunities to enhance clinical practice through evidence based researchand collaborates with interdisciplinary colleagues as needed.
Active in education of evidence based practice changes.

Leadership and Professional Conduct

PNI

Utilizes appropriate time management and meets the expectations for punctuality andattendance.
Demonstrates flexibility in scheduling to support the staffing needs of patient care areas.
Communicates effectively with patients, family members, and all members of theinterdisciplinary team, seeking assistance for conflict resolution as needed.

PNII

Utilizes appropriate time management and meets the expectations for punctuality andattendance.
Demonstrates flexibility in scheduling to support the staffing needs of patient care areas.
Contributes to a healthy work environment by consistently utilizing effectivecommunications with all members of the interdisciplinary team.
Ensures continuity of care by reporting and addressing actual or potential conflict.

PNIII

Utilizes and role models appropriate time management skills and meets the expectationsfor punctuality and attendance.
Assists with the coordination of daily staffing, while demonstrating personal schedulingflexibility to support the needs of patient care areas.
Contributes to a healthy work environment by encouraging effective communicationsamongst all members of the interdisciplinary team.
Takes leadership in identifying and actively resolving interdisciplinary conflict.

PNIV

Mentors others to develop appropriate time management skills.
Meets the expectations for punctuality and attendance.
Assists with the coordination of ongoing staffing needs, while demonstrating personalscheduling flexibility to support the needs of patient care areas.
Contributes to a healthy work environment by holding all members of the healthcareteam accountable for effective and professional communications.
Takes leadership in identifying and actively resolving interdisciplinary conflict.

Collaboration and Teamwork

PNI

Implements the plan of care and identifies resources to meet patient care needs.
Identifies and communicates changes in patient conditions that may impact unit staffinglevels or the provision of safe patient care.
Contributes to a healthy work environment by exhibiting professional behaviors andseeks assistance in addressing interpersonal conflicts.
Seeks assistance from colleagues in the daily care of patients on the unit.
Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team to maximize patient care.

PNII

Actively implements and updates multidisciplinary plan of care and collaborates withinternal and external resources to meet patient care needs.
Identifies and evaluates changes in patient conditions that impact unit staffing levels orthe provision of safe patient care.
Contributes to a healthy work environment by consistently exhibiting professionalbehaviors and addressing interpersonal conflicts with the right person, at the right time,in the right location.
Support colleagues in the daily care of patients on the unit.
Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to maximize patient care.

PNIII

Actively implements and updates multidisciplinary plan of care while proactivelyanticipating potential patient care needs.
Facilitates the coordination of internal and external resources to meet patient careneeds.
Able to reassess and reprioritize the needs of the unit in collaboration with colleagues.
Contributes to a healthy work environment by consistently exhibiting professionalbehaviors and addressing interpersonal conflicts with the right person, at the right time,in the right location.
Supports and mentors peers in the care of complex patients / family interactions.
Identify gaps within multidisciplinary care delivery.

PNIV

Coordinates multidisciplinary plan of care while proactively anticipating potential patientcare needs.
Serves as an interdepartmental resource for the coordination of internal and externalresources to meet patient care needs.
Reassess, reprioritize, and coordinate the needs of the unit through collaboration with allmembers of the healthcare team.
Contributes to a healthy work environment by modeling professional behaviors andaddressing conflict with the right person, at the right time, in the right location.
Identifies unprofessional behaviors and intervenes appropriately to facilitate positiveconflict resolution.
Recognized as an interdepartmental resource in the care of complex patients / familyinteractions.
Resolves gaps within multidisciplinary care delivery.
Recognized as a positive, collaborative resource among colleagues, who is solutionfocused.

Resource Management

PNI

Utilizes available resources in an appropriate manner and seeks assistance whenneeded

PNII

Identifies opportunities to improve utilization of resources.

PNIII

Improves workflow efficiency on the unit by appropriately utilizing resources.

PNIV

Acts as a resource and role model for effective resource management.

Professional Development

PNI

Takes responsibility for meeting education and mandatory programs, by completinghospital and unit-based competencies (CBO).
Obtains 12 contact hours or a 3 credit professional development course.
Maintains an up-to-date personal educational file on unit to demonstrate compliance witheducational requirements.
Actively participates in the peer review process.

PNII

Takes responsibility for meeting education and mandatory programs, by completinghospital and unit-based competencies (CBO).
Obtains 12 Contact Hours or a 3 credit professional development course and 6 contacthours.
Seeks opportunities to promote and advance professional growth.
Serves on and/or contributes to the work of unit based practice council.
Seeks evidence in nursing literature to identify/support best practice.
Maintains an up-to-date personal educational file on unit to demonstrate compliance witheducational requirements.
Actively participates in the peer review process.

PNIII

Takes responsibility for meeting education and mandatory programs, by completinghospital and unit-based competencies (CBO).
Obtains 18 Contact Hours or a 3 credit professional development course and 9 contacthours
Provides clinical and professional support for colleagues in the promotion andadvancement of professional growth.
Actively serves on and contributes to the work of unit based practice council.
Critically analyzes evidence-based literature and communicates gaps in current nursingpractice.
Maintains an up-to-date personal educational file on unit to demonstrate compliance witheducational requirements.
Actively participates in the peer review process.

PNIV

Takes responsibility for meeting education and mandatory programs, by completinghospital and unit-based competencies (CBO).
Obtains 24 Contact Hours or a 3 credit professional development course and 12 contacthours
Serves as a role model for colleagues in the promotion and advancement of professionalgrowth.
Takes leadership role to achieve at least one unit-based, Professional Practice,organizational or interdisciplinary goal.
Recommends/facilitates practice change based on evidence-based literature.
Maintains an up-to-date personal educational file on unit to demonstrate compliance witheducational requirements.
Actively participates in the peer review process.
Achieves National certification in area of practice. (Existing PNIV - 2 year grace periodendingJanuary 1, 2013 to obtain certification-no grandfathering)

Performance Improvement

PNI

Demonstrates & articulates awareness of performance improvement initiatives of theunit.

PNII

Demonstrates knowledge of and contributes positively to unit based performanceimprovement outcomes.
Identifies potential safety issues to unit manager and/or unit-based practice council.

PNIII

Recognized as a resource to staff in regards to unit-based performance improvementpriorities and nurse sensitive outcomes.
Identifies safety issues and makes recommendations for the development ofperformance improvement initiatives.

PNIV

Recognized as a resource to staff in regards to unit-based performance improvementpriorities and nurse sensitive outcomes.
Participates in data collection, data analysis and implementation of performanceimprovement priorities.