The staff Registered Nurse (RN) is a professional caregiver who assumes responsibility for patients undergoing endoscopy procedures including prep, intra procedure and recovery phases for routine GI procedures of colonoscopy and upper endoscopy with opportunity to train for advanced and pulmonary teams. The RN will provide direct patient care, rotating through the phases, and deliver moderate sedation under direction of physician. Works collaboratively with other departments and unit staff to provide care to inpatient and outpatient populations and delegates to unlicensed personal as appropriate.
- Performs all responsibilities and duties required by unit as specific to the scope of service. Implements procedures and theories related to the specific area of practice. Maintains up-to-date and accurate documentation of nursing care provided to assure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team.
- Completes initial assessment upon patient admission and develops appropriate plan of care in accordance with unit standards and that is based on patient and family needs. Implements plan of care, nursing interventions, and patient care procedures. Modifies plan of care based upon continuous evaluation.
- Takes responsibility for patient and employee safety by reporting and/or correcting safety hazards and incidents.
- Communicates with others directly and in private when necessary to resolve issues. Offers constructive feedback to assist in the professional development of peers, and confers with colleagues to expand knowledge base. Identifies own learning needs and takes initiative to begin appropriate solution.
- Fulfills all requirements of departmental competencies.
- Prepares patient for procedure. Completes assessment, reviews health history, starts IV and provides education to patient.
- Monitors and sedates patients during their procedure.
- Cares for patients in both phase 1 and phase 2 recovery.
- Assists the CRNA during cases requiring anesthesia involvement.
- The overall role of the professional RN in Digestive Health is to define, direct, supervise and evaluate patient care directly and via delegation to others by using the nursing process.