Job Description

JOB SUMMARY 

COHORT BEGINS February 2022
At Houston Methodist, the Registered Nurse I (RN) position is a licensed staff nurse, may be an entry level nurse, who 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 functions at the Novice to Advanced Beginner stage according to Benner's model of clinical practice, participating 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.
 

Requirements:

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 on unit-based scorecard, 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 on unit-based scorecard. (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 on unit-based scorecard 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 documentation of care, minimize incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks. Uses resources effectively and efficiently. (EF)
Contributes towards meeting department financial targets on unit-based scorecard 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)
Identifies own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Pursues educational opportunities for professional growth and benefits the department through knowledge dissemination. (EF)