Float Nurse

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center is seeking a full-time Float Nurse for the Medical/Surgical, ICU, and ED for primarily nights. The Float Nurse has authority and accountability for decision making relative to the nursing care of his/her patients. The degree of independence for decision making is based on his/her knowledge or skill level as determined by the Assistant Director of Nursing. The Float Nurse will utilize the nursing process to coordinate total nursing care for patients, participate in patient and family education, provide leadership by interacting appropriately with staff, physicians, and other departments to meet patient/family needs and will provide care that is consistent with professional and hospital standards.

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center is a 45-bed hospital that serves rural and suburban populations in Roaring Spring, Altoona, and parts of Blair, Bedford, and Huntingdon counties.  Caring for the community since 1900, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center prides itself on providing safe, high quality, compassionate care.  With a state-of-the art cardiac catheterization lab, Conemaugh Nason offers a range of inpatient, and outpatient cardiac services close to home when every minute matters. The hospital provides 24/7 emergency care as an accredited chest pain center, and offers comprehensive outpatient, imaging, diagnostic, and specialty services. As a LifePoint Health National Quality Leader, Conemaugh Nason is leading the way among peers by delivering the highest quality of care for patients.

Conemaugh Nason is also a member of the Conemaugh Health System, a Duke LifePoint Healthcare system. Conemaugh Health System serves more than a half-million patients each year through the Nason Physician Group, Conemaugh Physician Group and Medical Staff, a network of four hospitals, specialty clinics and patient-focused programs.

Essential Functions:

Float to open positions in Med/Surg, ICU and ER as needed.

Documents patient care given.

Evaluates learning needs of patient and/or family and provides patient/family education appropriate to age, culture, condition, and circumstances.

Collaborates as needed across disciplines to coordinate patient care, including patient transfer, discharge, referral, and spiritual/psychosocial support needs.

Works as an advocate for the physical and emotional well-being of the patient.

Performs plan of care intervention, including medication administration, specimen collection, clinical treatments, as well as other medical care treatment.

Informs appropriate manager of any staffing, supply, or equipment needs not able to be met through routine procedures.

Serves as a professional model for staff and a preceptor for new personnel.

Maintains current knowledge and appropriate certification in area/s of present nursing practice.

Provides quality care consistent with Hospital standards and participates in the Hospital’s Continuous Quality Improvement Program.

Monitors, records, and communicates patient condition as appropriate to care team, physician, patient, and family.

Assists patients with performing activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, elimination, nutrition, and ambulation.

Develops a discharge plan with the physician, patient, and family and works to prepare patient for discharge.

Completes discharge instruction record as per physician direction and reviews information with patient/family to assure knowledge of self-care in a timely manner. Completes transfer and obtains appropriate consents when patient is transferred to another facility and gives complete report to care giver who will be accepting responsibility for care of patient.

Demonstrates effectiveness in coordinating care, identifying needs, and making appropriate referrals.

Administer medications and IV therapies accurately in a safe and effective manner, monitors effect identifies and reports any adverse effects.

Educates patients on new medications, provides info on reason for med and adverse effects to watch for.

Accurately accounts for narcotics as per procedures and documents all medications administered.

Recognizes errors and adverse reactions and reports them in a timely manner.

Functions according to the State Nurse Practice Act and delivers care that is consistent with the policies, procedures and standards of Conemaugh Nason Medical Center.

Provides for patient safety and security needs by maintaining a clean and safe environment and placing call bell within patients reach at all times.

Demonstrates understanding of hospital infection control procedures and utilizes appropriate handwashing and universal precautions at all times.

Promptly answers patient call lights and fulfills patient request as soon as possible. Makes patient rounds hourly and as needed to assess patient needs.

Maintains patient care equipment, reports malfunctions and requisitions service appropriately.

Communicates pertinent patient care information at the change of shift via BSSR.

Communicates significant changes in patient's condition to the team leader, physician and supervisor in a timely manner.

Regularly reports complaints of patients, visitors and physicians through personal action or referral to a higher authority.

Completes and documents performance improvement activities, participates in problem identification and carries out actions to improve patient care.

Utilizes appropriate lines of authority within the organizational structure.

Maintains an orderly and therapeutic environment by keeping patient rooms and nurses’ station clean, safe, uncluttered, and free of unneeded supplies/equipment.

Maintains current knowledge in area/s of present nursing practice, appropriate certification, and completion of competencies for assigned unit.

Demonstrates understanding of emergency and internal/external disaster plans as evidenced by appropriate response to these situations.

Positively impacts and improves nursing practice (e.g. serving on team, assisting with development/revision of departmental standards) through proactive action.

Demonstrates an ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the ED, functions as code nurse at "CPA" situation within the hospital and provides needed cart exchange.

Organizational Expectations:

Demonstrates support of the mission, vision, values, goals, and general policies of Nason Medical Center.

Manages conflict and frustration in positive and constructive manner.

Observes departmental/hospital dress code, is clean and well-groomed, wears identification badge and maintains a professional appearance while on-duty.

Performs duties in a self-directed and cooperative manner with minimal need for supervision. Uses time constructively, keeps outside interruptions to a minimum and organizes work for maximum productivity.

Treats all patients as individuals with consideration to their rights, cultural, diversity, privacy, comfort, and emotional needs and serves as a patient advocate.

Complies with corporate compliance guidelines and requirements of Federal, State, and local regulatory and accrediting agencies.

Adheres to the standards of professional ethics and handles confidential information in strict conformance with departmental/Hospital policies.

Provides proper notification for absence or tardiness as per Hospital policy. Gives evidence of dependability by infrequent and appropriate use of sick time (4 or more non-FMLA instances will constitute a "not met" and require further discipline/warning); 4 non-FMLA days.

Reports for work on time and is punctual for patient report at the start of the assigned shift, even in cases of inclement weather.

Avoids work-related injuries through the use of proper practice techniques and equipment.

Recognizes own limitations and appropriately seeks help or guidance when needed.

Performs in a calm, professional manner during an emergency situation. Institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse patient/facility developments (e.g. cardiac arrest, fire, disaster).

Attends/completes mandatory in-service and training and complies with employee health policies in a timely manner.

Promotes appropriate customer service skills (e.g. patience, compassion, empathy, helpfulness, sensitivity) in dealing with patients, families, employees, and other customers.

Consistently responds to others in a helpful, caring, and timely manner, especially in times of increased patient activities or short staffing situations.

Offers assistance and provides direction to visitors, patients and families in a concise, informative manner and demonstrates, a courteous and positive attitude.

Maintains a good working relationship with patients, visitors, physicians, co-workers, and other members of the healthcare team through responsiveness, accuracy of information and professionalism.

Answers all telephone inquiries in a professional manner, identifying yourself and the department at the beginning of the call.

Introduces self and greets others in a pleasant manner.

When requested, demonstrates the ability to present self in a professional manner when assisting with community service programs.

Demonstrates flexibility in response to unexpected change in workload, emergencies, staffing, and scheduling changes and provides staffing coverage when needed to meet the needs of the department.

Demonstrates understanding of emergency and internal/external disaster plans as evidenced by appropriate response to these situations.

Utilizes appropriate and professional body language and communicates in a manner that demonstrates a positive and cooperative attitude.

Adapts to change brought about by external and internal forces in a cooperative and mature manner. Positively assists others in dealing with change.

Manages critically ill patients during transfer to other departments or health care facilities. Give appropriate report to provide continuity of care.

Demonstrates a complete knowledge of the location, care, and operation of all ED equipment.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Education:
Required: Graduate of a RN program.
Preferred: Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and/or Health Care Administration.

Minimum Work Experience:
Three to five years' experience in nursing practice. Preferably in Med/Surg, ICU and ER.

Required Certifications:
BLS.
ACLS within 6 months of hire.
PALS within 6 months of hire.
Basic Trauma Nurse Course (BTNC) or equivalent training (ATCN, TCRN, TNCC) obtained within 1 year of hire is required.

Required Licenses:
[Pennsylvania, United States] Registered Nurse
Current nurse's license in the state of Pennsylvania or a current multistate license (MLS) from compact member states/territories required.

Required Skills:
Requires critical thinking skills, decisive and sound judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
Recognizes importance of being a good role model for others.
Maintains good physical and emotional well-being.
Demonstrates leadership and teaching ability.
Works effectively with others; possesses tact, discretion, and diplomacy.
Has past record of dependability as evidenced by infrequent absences.

Competitive wage, benefits package, 401K, PTO, and onsite occupational health. 

$20,000 Sign-On Bonus!