JOB SUMMARY

At Houston Methodist, the Registered Nurse (RN) I position a licensed staff nurse, may be an entry level nurse, functions at the Novice to Advanced Beginner stage of Benner’s model of clinical practice. The RN I position demonstrates the ability to continuously progress in skill to care for increasingly complex patients, receiving coaching from experienced RNs and management and benefits from their practice. The position participates in unit initiatives and shared governance. The RN I position provides professional nursing care to a diverse patient population, conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment, patient education, and maintenance of medical records. This position collaborates with the physicians and interprofessional health care team to facilitate, coordinate, and maintain compassionate, efficient, quality care and achievement of desired treatment outcomes. The RN I position demonstrates clinical competency when providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures, and managing emergencies, acting as a patient and family advocate in order to monitor patient rights and needs. This position assures continuity of care through appropriate communication, discharge planning, patient education and coordination of services.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 25%

• Establishes a relationship with patients, families and the interprofessional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care by using progressive skills in therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching. (EF)
• Contributes to teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Seeks guidance from interprofessional health care team, when needed, and applies feedback to improve patient outcomes. (EF)
• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability. (EF)

SERVICE - 25%

• Follows the patient and family-centered care standards, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment and documentation/maintenance of medical records. Practices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles. (EF)
• Develops, updates, and communicates plan of care, including discharge, in partnership with the patient, family and interprofessional health care team, using the nursing process. Prioritizes care based on the patient’s needs, abilities, and preferences. Advocates on patient/family’s behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources. (EF)
• Provides patient education based on learning needs, uses appropriate resources, incorporating planning for care after discharge. Consistently evaluates the patient’s comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly. (EF)
• Uses peer-to-peer accountability to contribute towards improving department score for patient satisfaction. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 25%

• Follows the standards of care related to the nursing process, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. (EF)
• Follows the standards related to regulatory requirements and professional practice as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. (EF)
• Provides and modifies care for increasingly complex patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional teams. Plans for routine events and progressively manages emergent situations in collaboration with the healthcare team. (EF)
• Contributes towards improving quality and safety targets through peer-to-peer accountability, focusing on the task at hand and reporting near misses. (EF)

FINANCE - 10%

• Displays self-motivation to independently manage time effectively, timely document care, minimize incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks. Contributes towards meeting department financial targets through decreasing length of stay, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 15%

• Participates in unit evidence-based practice projects focused on innovation, efficiency or improvement in patient care and shared governance activities. Embraces and enacts new care pathways or service line implementation to improve service to the community. (EF)
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs, consults with healthcare team experts, and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs, taking appropriate action. Pursues educational opportunities for professional growth and benefits the department through knowledge dissemination. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. (EF)

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited School of Nursing

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

o No experience, with minimal clinical nursing experience preferred

o If less than six months of clinical nursing experience, must complete Houston Methodist nurse residency program