Job Summary: Supports, and is responsible for incorporating into job performance, the Frederick Health (FH) mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy and adheres to the FH Compliance Program, including following all regulatory requirements and the FH Standards of Behavior.
This Registered Nurse – Float Pool position is a highly skilled role requiring advanced clinical judgment, leadership, and comprehensive medical-surgical expertise to care for diverse, high-acuity patient populations across multiple units within our health system. Assignments include a wide range of inpatient care areas, such as medical/surgical, progressive care, neurology, observation and oncology, with the expectation of delivering seamless, evidence-based care in every setting.
Due to the scope and complexity of this position, the nurse must demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice integration, leadership in care coordination, and strong interprofessional collaboration skills - competencies cultivated through BSN-level education or equivalent.
Float pool RNs are redeployed or shifted based upon workforce gaps requiring them to support our hospital, women’s and children’s division and emergency department, filling a vital role utilizing the nursing process to independently deliver nursing care to patients to achieve quality outcomes. Receive guidance/supervision as needed. Supports and participates in continuous quality improvement activities. Functions within the limits of the State and Federal licensing, regulatory bodies and hospital policies.
Essential Functions:
· Assesses the biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational and discharge planning of patients according to nursing standards.
· Use knowledge and experience in identifying patient needs and prioritizing treatment. Recognizes and accurately documents and communicates subtle changes in patient assessment.
· Provides initial assessment and reassessments according to current organizational and department standards for Assessment of Patients and Nursing Assessment and documents according to policy.
· Anticipates potential changes in patient’s condition and responds appropriately.
· Anticipates needs based on assessment findings and proposed procedure or course of care.
· Ensures an effective plan of care for assigned patients based upon the standards for planning and providing care.
· Initiates individualized plans of care using nursing diagnosis based on identified patient needs and includes all available resources, e.g., family, caregivers, other disciplines and community agencies.
· Efficiently organizes and prioritizes patient care and seeks assistance when necessary to meet the needs of individual patients.
· Actively participates in the development of standards of care according to departmental, organizational, professional or regulatory standards.
· Implements the plan of care in compliance with hospital and nursing policies in accordance with all appropriate standards.
· Completely and accurately implements and documents nursing interventions and patient response. Communicates pertinent information to patients and members of the health care team in a concise and timely manner utilizing an interdisciplinary approach.
· Assures that the patient/family are updated regarding the status of the patient and any changes in the patient or plan of care as they evolve.
· Demonstrates flexibility in giving and receiving patient assignments in the department and hospital-wide based on skill mix of the staff available and patient care demands.
· Evaluates nursing care, which includes tools and equipment related to patient care.
· Reviews, evaluates and documents effectiveness of interventions, making modifications as needed on the plan of care.
· Evaluates new and existing equipment, policies, procedures and programs.
· Anticipates patient’s response to interventions and collaborates with patient/family and health care team to revise treatment plan accordingly.
· Identifies variances from expected outcomes and makes appropriate recommendations.
· Provides patient/family education
· Assesses patient/family for:
· Current knowledge of health status, condition or disease process; barriers to learning; readiness, willingness and ability to learn
· Cultural, religious, financial and patient preference implications related to learning.
· Identifies learning needs and establishes goals using standardized or individualized teaching plans.
· Implements the plan through direct, interactive teaching with additional use of teaching aids and materials as appropriate. Evaluates effectiveness of teaching.
· Communicates patient/family progress toward learning goals and need for follow-up to other nurses and health care disciplines.
· Integrates discharge planning and referral into the teaching process. Documents teaching per policy.
· Independently offers support to less experienced staff to aid in patient/family teaching.
· Demonstrates professional expectations as evidenced by:
· Incorporates suggestions for self-development and/or performance into daily practice.
· Meets all requirements of clinical ladder level.
· Actively engages in department efforts to promote retention of staff and provide a high level of employee morale.
· Utilizes supplies, equipment, and technology to ensure quality of patient care.
· Floats to other nursing units in the hospital as requested
· Demonstrates leadership/accountability qualities.
· Consistently utilizes communication style that sets department tone for positive professional behavior. Promotes meaningful focused communication between all members of the healthcare team as appropriate.
· Encourages professional interactions between ancillary healthcare givers, including physicians.
· Demonstrates effective delegation skills as they pertain to nursing staff in the delivery of safe nursing care and communication to peers.
· Demonstrate effective precepting and mentoring skills for RN’s and ancillary staff. Adheres to program policies and participates in effective department orientation.
· Demonstrates accountability for the following which includes but is not limited to:
· Reviewing Quality Assurance report/data for accuracy and completeness according to departmental standards.
· Contributing to the evaluation/auditing process for CNA’s, Technicians, and peers, etc.
· Must complete all Hospital wide and Department specific competencies.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Float between multiple high-acuity units, adapting quickly to differing workflows, patient populations while maintaining seamless continuity of care.
- Manage patients across medical/surgical, progressive care, neurology, observation and oncology, adjusting interventions to meet diverse acuity levels.
- Perform rapid, comprehensive clinical assessments and synthesize data from multiple sources to identify urgent priorities and initiate interventions.
- Communicate complex and critical patient information clearly to physicians and the interprofessional team, often in situations requiring independent clinical decision-making.
- Serve as a clinical resource and mentor to unit staff when floating into departments with less specialty experience.
- Assess patient and family learning needs, incorporating cultural, cognitive, and situational considerations; deliver focused education in a high-turnover environment to ensure safe transitions of care.
- Exhibit resilience, emotional intelligence, and time management skills essential for success in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Clinical competency in their departmental area of practice.
- Ability to use technology and equipment to perform job duties.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
- Effective use of proper body mechanics when handling patients, supplies and equipment.
- Ability to handle a physically demanding environment.
- Skills and abilities to perform all job description duties according to the age specific patient population served by their department.
- Ability to meet the requirements annually of the FH Clinical Ladder.
- Ability to keep patient and employee information confidential
- Competency in operating equipment is required to meet patient care needs.
Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Required:
· Eligible for or currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Maryland or compact state.
· Bachelors degree in Nursing is required (or equivalent) with one year of experience in acute care.
· Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and BLS certification is required within 90-days of hire.
The following certifications are required for the nursing units that they are floating to. Each certification must be completed within 1 year of hire if support one of these units:
· ACLS: Emergency Department, Float NSG, 4B, 4A, ICU, 4G, Preop, Surgical Services, PACU, Endoscopy Room, Cardiac Cath
· PALS: Emergency Department, Pediatric Combined
· NRP: Labor & Delivery, Family Center, NICU, Women & Children Float
· Oncology/Thoracic-Chemotherapy: 2C
· Base Station: Emergency Department
· C-EFM: Labor & Delivery, Family Center (Antepartum assigned RNs)
Patient Contact
Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills in providing appropriate care/contact for patients in the following age groups * This would be based on designated patient population for each nursing department.
· X Neonate (0 thru 30 days)
· X Infant (31 thru 12 months)
· X Child (13 months thru 12 years)
· X Adolescent (13 years thru 17 years)
· X Adult (18 years thru 65 years)
· X Geriatric (66+ years)
Physical Demands:
Medium-Heavy Work – Lifting up to 100 pounds on an infrequent basis (less than one lift every three minutes) and/or carrying up to 50 pounds while walking. Pushing or pulling up to 115 pounds infrequently or greater than 115 pounds occasionally (no more than once per hour).
Ergonomic Risk Factors:
Repetition: Repeating the same motion repeatedly again places stress on the muscles and tendons. The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the speed of the movement, the required force and muscles involved.
Forceful Exertion: The amount of physical effort required to perform a task (such as moving patients) or to maintain control of equipment or tools. The amount of force depends on the type of grip, the weight of an object or person, body posture, the type of activity and the duration of the task.
Awkward Posture: Posture is the position your body is in and its effect on the muscle groups that are involved in physical activity. Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting, working overhead with your hands or arms, or holding fixed positions.
Contact Stress: Pressing the body hard on sharp edges can result in placing too much pressure on nerves, tendons, and blood vessels. For example, using the palm of your hand to hit or stick objects can increase risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Working Conditions:
- Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Risk: Category A – WILL have exposure to blood or body fluids. Exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous materials and highly technical and heavy equipment.
Reporting Relationship:
Reports to Department Manager or the manager of the department for a long-term/float assignment. Also receives supervision from the department Director or Hospital Supervisor.
Disclaimer:
The content of this document reflects the general duties, responsibilities, minimum skills, abilities and competencies necessary to perform the essential functions of the job and should not be considered as an exhaustive detailed description of all the work requirements of the position.
Schedule:
- Variable shifts; minimum of 48 hrs per clinical schedule based on identified hospital needs; 24 of the 48 hours must be on the weekend. Must float to one or more clinical areas. One major and one minor holiday are required annually.
Caring for you as you care for the CommUNITY Frederick Health offers a comprehensive and affordable benefits package. Health, Dental and Vision insurance are offered the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment to all employees hired to work at least 20 hours per week and we offer multiple plans to best meet your and your family's needs. Life insurance, Short-Term Income Replacement and Long-Term Disability are employer paid for eligible employees. Frederick Health offers a robust Paid Time Off program for eligible employees. Our 403B retirement plan helps you save for your retirement and includes an employer match to eligible employees. All employees have access to free financial planning sessions. We also offer an educational assistance program to support your education goals as well as an employer paid Employee Assistance Program.
Pay is based on experience, skills and education. If position is part-time, salary will be pro-rated based on scheduled hours. The pay range may also vary within the stated range based on specialty if applicable. Non-Exempt positions may have shift differential and/or Overtime paid, if applicable.
Pay range: Hourly Rate $36.07 Min -$55.17 Max
Full Time day shift 7am-7:30pm with rotating weekends and holidays
