Registered Nurse- Psychiatric Services -3B- Per Diem-Shift

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient Psychiatric Services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalize patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,000 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

• Per Diem employees supplement department staffing needs, with no guarantee of minimum hours.
• Must be willing and available to work four (4) shifts per six (6) week scheduling period.

Position: Hospital Staff Nurse (RN) - Psychiatric Services -3B- Per Diem-Shift

Definition:

Under the supervision of a nurse leader (Chief Nursing Officer, Clinical Director, Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Nurse Leader), independently prescribes, delegates and coordinates nursing care to the acutely ill patient and performs the nursing process through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of safe, therapeutic care for patients.  The scope of practice is in accordance with the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice, ANA Code of Ethics and California Nurse Practice Act Board of Registered Nurses of the State of California.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This classification ranges from novice nurse with limited knowledge and skills to expert nurse with advanced knowledge and skills, and the ability to perform work with minimum supervision.  It is designed to accommodate the expanding experience of the Registered Nurse (RN) resulting in the ability to orient nurses with limited experience and re-entry nurses to current clinical practice.  The HSN is expected to be committed to enhancing the profession of nursing, actively seek to improve their professional practice, contribute to the professional development of others, demonstrate caring-healing practices and promote the vision and goals of the organization and Department of Nursing. All nursing clinical practice will be evaluated and governed through the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and/or their RN designee. 

Essential Functions:

• Creates and sustains an environment that supports compassionate caring through authentic presence with the patient and family, building trusting relationships, creates connections that embrace mind, body, spirit modalities to mobilize the patient’s strengths and abilities toward healing.
• Collects and documents data for assigned patients according to prescribed methods.
• Interprets assessment data to determine whether patient has physiological and/or psychosocial risk factors, records and reports variances from normal parameters.
• Collaborates with the patient, family and members of the healthcare team to develop individualized plan of care based on existing and potential patient problems, observable patient responses.  Implements nursing and physician orders safely
• Uses education, experience and interpretation of assessment data to prioritize appropriate nursing actions;
• Establishes nursing diagnoses, uses appropriate resources to formulate a written plan of care; evaluates the effectiveness of nursing interventions and revises patient care plans, as necessary.

• Anticipates and effectively manages rapidly changing situations by rapid grasp of changes in patient status and problem situations. Prioritizing and responds quickly and appropriately to identify the need for and activation of emergency protocols and assistance.

• Performs and documents the nursing process consistent with scientific principle and hospital policy as required by patient assignment using critical thinking and nursing judgment.
• Implements the medical and nursing care plans and coordinates patient care activities with nurses, physicians and Advanced Practice Providers.
• Partners with the patient/family to assess learning needs, priorities and level of understanding and co-develops plan. Designs teaching methods and plans accordingly; follows through on teaching plans developed to instruct patients and their family members regarding; testing, procedures and disease process; knowledge and skills essential to coping with illness, and promotion of optimum health.
• Coordinates and participates in patient care rounds and conferences.
• Understands team dynamics and collaborates effectively within the care team.
•  Contributes to team building through participation in unit programs and meetings; contributes to positive morale, using constructive and effective conflict resolution skills.
• Assists with training staff members and orienting new staff; works collaboratively with clinicians to manage patient care.
• Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards and evidence-based practices, measuring outcomes against patient care goals and hospital or regulatory standards.
• Provides safe care to patients and protects employees by adhering to approved infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures and controlled substance regulations.
• Participates in staff meetings, professional governance councils (unit or organizational level), evaluation and standards development for nursing practice, nursing recognition and well-being activities.
• Completes all competencies, mandatory classes and educational coursework as required by the Department of Nursing.

• Attains knowledge and competence that reflects current nursing practice. Demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning.

• Adheres to hospital-approved policies and procedures.
• Adheres to RN scope of practice, as defined by BRN licensure.
• Is knowledgeable of and is compliant with ANA Code of Ethics, ANA Scope and Standards of Practice, and KMC Professional Practice Model
• Monitors own practices and assists in monitoring others for practices related to patient and employee safety and compliance to standards and policies. Looks for opportunities for continual improvement in patient care and the work environment.

• Demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of populations served by Kern Medical facilities.

Other Functions:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• Trains staff members, orients new staff and serves as a mentor to staff as an experienced clinician and manager of care.

Employment Standards:

Graduation from an accredited registered nursing program with a Bachelor or Associate’s degree preferred, and a valid and unrestricted license issued by the State of California to practice as a Registered Nurse;

Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical Center.

Possess and maintain a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card.

Depending on assignment, incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency or complete designated education as a condition of employment.

Knowledge of:

Theory, techniques and practices of nursing; medical terminology, instruments and equipment; the uses and effects of medicines and narcotics.

Skill in:

Following oral and written instruction and maintain concise and complete records.  Demonstrate the practical and theoretical knowledge of nursing care specific to the assigned work area/specialty; meet the content and performance criteria specific to each defined specialty, including the nursing process, leadership/professional

development, and unit operation; demonstration of standard techniques of record maintenance and report writing; using computers and related software applications; keyboarding and using standard office equipment; follow oral and written instruction; communicate both orally and in writing sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction; prepare and maintain concise and comprehensive required records and reports; establish and maintain effective work relationships with staff, other hospital employees, patients and their families; dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of populations served by Kern Medical facilities.

Supplemental:

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”.  In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.