Our Emergency Departments offer comprehensive emergency medical services to all age groups and staffed 24/7 by a highly trained team to meet the needs of the community. Our ED team is composed of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and support staff. Our Fayette Medical Center’s Emergency Department is a 6-bed Level III Stroke Center that treats more than 10,000 patients annually. Our Nurse to Patient ratio ranges from 1:1 with our critical/trauma patients to 1:3-4 on all other patients.

Plans, coordinates, and directs quality, compassionate care by maintaining standards of professional nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients/families. Supervises LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, US, Ortho Techs and other non-licensed staff.

1. Assesses condition on each assigned patient on admission and on an ongoing basis to include but not limited to the patient’s physical condition, psychological status, social status, spiritual and cultural needs, pain assessment/management, nutritional and functional status, developmental or age related factors, and discharge planning needs.
2. Plans, provides, and documents patient and/or significant other education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.
3. Evaluates and regularly reevaluates patient care; coordinates care planning with patient, family, providers and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
4. Assigns and delegates nursing care to team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the capabilities of the team members.
5. Applies safety principles when performing care
6. Accurately documents observations, care provided, and changes in care plan.
7. Provides accurate handoff reports and participates in unit based huddles
8. Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.
9. Performs initial and annual competency per job class.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Current Alabama RN licensure.
• Current BLS, ACLS and PALS are required.  If certification is not current it must be obtained within 90 days of hire date. 
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORK CONTEXT

Interpersonal Relationships: Includes demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

Physical Work Conditions: Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions.   Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.

Structural Job Characteristics: Includes decision making and critical thinking to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Must be able to work regular assigned schedule with occasional long hours.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

Abilities:

Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking. 

Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 lbs. 

Ability to do frequent stooping and on occasion crouching, crawling or kneeling. 

Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction.

Activities:

Is able to push stretcher/wheelchair with average adult patient.

Ability to run in emergency situations

Requirements: 

Physical presence onsite is essential

Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.

Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation

Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.

Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.

OTHER JOB FACTORS

Performs triage assessment of incoming patient and determines priorities of care using ESI Triage tool.

Implements various UTO’s as ordered or indicated.

Answers external communication systems with pre-hospital personnel and follows through appropriately.