Registered Nurse, Special Care Nursery: Methodist Richardson Medical Center

Performs patient care in accordance with professional standards, hospital and unit policies, protocols and procedures. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, understanding and ability to care for newborn infants and their families.

• Attends deliveries as requested by L&D staff and performs neonatal resuscitation according to NRP guidelines.
• Provides transitional care of the newborn in the LDR to facilitate couplet care.
• Formulates patient care plan using assessment data obtained during initial and on-going patient assessment and integrating other available data and develops realistic and immediate goals for care.
• Knows rationale for the effects and proper administration of the medications and/or treatments ordered for each patient.
• Communicates and consults with members of the health care team in the interest of the patient's health care. Acts as the patient's advocate.
• Consults and utilizes community agencies and resources for continuity of patient care.
• Documents completely and in an organized and timely manner.
• Performs all required skills competently. Functions independently with complex treatments, procedures and equipment required by NICU population (compromised/sick neonates).
• Recognizes life-threatening physiological changes and intervenes in life-threatening situations, communicating such situations to appropriate personnel to obtain assistance from other health team members.
• Promotes and participates in family education and counseling based on the newborn's health care needs. Utilizes effective teaching skills, consults alternate educational/teaching resources.
• Gives a comprehensive shift report.
• Presents a positive unit and nursing image when communicating with other departments, nursing units, physicians, families, and visitors.
• Complies with attendance standards.