Nurse Graduate - Traumatic Brain Injury, Nights
University of Maryland Medical System

Job Description
General Summary

Under direct supervision of a registered nurse, the nurse graduate participates in the nursing process by delivering care to patients and their families. Duties and responsibilities include direct care activities required in daily nursing practice on the assigned unit.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Nurse Graduates perform various routine nursing support functions as listed below. These functions may vary depending upon the unit to which the Nurse Graduate is assigned.
• After successful completion of an organized staff development program which includes an evaluation that the nurse graduate is competent, through skills validation, the nurse graduate may perform and document routine procedures taught within the nurse graduate's generic nursing program, including but not limited to:
• Documenting in the medical record using the initials "NG" after the nurse graduate's name as credentials
• Assisting the Registered Nurse assigned to the patient with the assessment of the patient by monitoring parameters outlined by the Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nursing Standards of Practice.
• Identifying, recording, and reporting overt findings to the Registered Nurse concerning the physical and mental condition of a patient in accordance with the Nursing Documentation policy.
• Assisting the Registered Nurse assigned to the patient with the implementation of nursing care by performing nursing care activities as delegated and supervised by the Registered Nurse such as:
• Performing patient assessments after the initial assessment or after the first assessment of the shift has been performed by the registered nurse
• Assisting with indwelling and intermittent urinary bladder catheterizations by performing catheter insertion, catheter care and removal.
• Providing direct patient care, such as personal hygiene care, positioning, ambulating, transporting, nutritional intake/ feeding, obtaining specimens and performing blood sugar checks.
• Performing routine patient care and administrative procedures on the unit such as dressing changes, calculating body intake and output measures and shift totals.
• Assisting with patient admission and/or discharge by setting up special equipment and recording vital signs.
• Assisting with intravenous therapy by gathering equipment for starting IV fluids, preparing the patient as directed by the Registered Nurse and monitoring IV rate.
• Assists the Registered Nurse in patient status evaluation by reporting patient information such as vital signs or response to nursing actions such as pain management interventions.
• Verbally reports to the nurse significant changes in patient's physical and cognitive condition.
• Documents patient information such as vital signs, intake and output on appropriate forms promptly, clearly and completely as stipulated in the Nursing Documentation policy.
• The nurse graduate may administer medications under the DIRECT supervision of an RN. The nurse graduate may NOT administer medications independently.
• Performs CPR as needed.
• Follows institutional infection control guidelines.
• Follows/implements established institutional/unit policies and procedures to ensure patient safety.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, visitors and other members of the health care team, demonstrating positive guest relations skills and treating patient information confidentially.
• Performs general support services for the unit and patient which may include running unit errands, procuring equipment, and taking and relaying messages accurately and timely.

Company Description
We're making Maryland stronger!

With roots that go as far back as 1895, the UM Rehab & Ortho Institute continues to be a pioneer in orthopedics and neurological disorders. From bones to brains, our cutting-edge hospital heals even the most serious of injuries, specializing in everything from total joint replacement to spinal cord injuries and neurological condition. In total, our 141-bed facility welcomes over 3,000 patients every year. As the state's largest provider of inpatient rehabilitation services, we offer some of the most advanced therapies for stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic and sports injury, among many others.

: The Inpatient Brain Injury Program at University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute offers a supportive, therapeutic environment for adults and adolescents undergoing traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.

People with a brain injury are likely to have difficulty with memory, communication, thinking and reasoning skills. They may also have trouble behaving appropriately in social situations.

Through our comprehensive program, patients reach their highest possible level of independence and return to their everyday activities. The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program provides individual, goal-directed rehabilitation services to help each patient achieve the highest possible level of physical, cognitive and behavioral function preparation for return to their community. Patients in this program may be offered therapy six days a week - based on the needs and tolerance of the patient and have access to outstanding rehabilitation facilities, including well-equipped gyms, a 48-foot hydrotherapy pool, a healing garden, sports courts and the beautiful grounds of the Institute.

Qualifications

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing is required.

If graduate is completing the initial examination: testing must be completed within 90 days of the date that the graduate completed the school nursing program.

If graduate is completing a retest of examination: testing must be completed within 60 days of the date that the graduate took the initial examination.

IV. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Highly effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills are required to work with patients, visitors, and other health care team members, to establish working relationships that foster optimal quality of patient care.

Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

V. Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.

Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.

Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Additional Information
Working Conditions

Weekend, shift work, holiday, on-call, and overtime may be required.

Work requires maximum lifting weight of 35 lbs when participating in patient care tasks 50% of the time to position and/or assist patients on to carts or into wheelchairs or beds, and generally, with ambulation. Work requires standing and/or walking for up to 100% of scheduled work time; maximum lifting weight of 50 lbs when lifting equipment and supplies.

There is potential for regular exposure to patients possessing infectious diseases requiring observance of universal precautions requiring wearing protective clothing, gloves, and mask as appropriate, and observance of safe work practices.

V. Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses by entering information in the Risk Management reporting system (UMMS safe) and to manager/designee.
• Implements policies, procedure, and standards consistently in the performance of assigned duties.
• Develops effective working relationships and maintains good communication with other team members.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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