Job Objective:
In addition to the objective outlined in the AVH Registered Nurse (RN) Job Description, the Couplet Care RN is responsible for providing nursing care for postpartum mothers and newborn infants guided by the policies and procedures of the unit. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, initial and ongoing assessment of the newborn and mother, patient education regarding infant and postpartum care, and preparation for discharge.
- Meets all the essential duties and responsibilities of the Registered Nurse (RN).
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Additional duties and responsibilities of the Couplet Care RN:
- Recognizes normal and abnormal physical, psycho-social, cultural, spiritual and learning needs of postpartum mothers, newborn infants, and their families.
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Provides quality care with accurate assessment, interventions and documentation for low to high risk postpartum patients.
- Provides quality care with accurate assessment, interventions and documentation needed to meet the unique needs of the newborn infant.
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Provides education to the patient/family regarding the postpartum process and newborn infant care.
- Facilitates maintenance of parent-infant
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Assists mothers in the successful initiation and continuation of exclusive breastfeeding, and/or other feeding methods as indicated.
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Provides age specific education for infant, adolescent and
Copying, faxing.
- Possesses all the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Registered Nurse (RN).
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Demonstrates knowledge of the mandated reporting
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Demonstrates knowledge of infant and child safety measures and abduction prevention
Core Competencies: All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:
Accountability Action Oriented Customer Focused Compassion
Effective Communication Teamwork
Ethics & Values Integrity & Trust
Education
Required:
Graduate from a school of nursing
Completes twenty (20) hours of training in Breastfeeding and Lactation within 6 months of hire.
Completes Couplet Care Core Competencies during orientation period.
Desired:
Two (2) years recent clinical experience in Maternal/Newborn Nursing specialty area preferred.
Required:
Meets all required licensure and/or certifications of the Registered
Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification required within 6 months from date of hire to Couplet
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is required for Couplet Care Charge
Desired:
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is encouraged for all Couplet Care
Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN).
STABLE Program
Ability to adhere with AVH Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy
Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked Policy
Ability to adhere to the department dress code
Ability to organize work and establish priorities
Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards
Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVH
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
Conforms with required and appropriate Joint Commission requirements
Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
Display a willingness to work as a team player
Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its requirements; complies with duty to report behavior standard; demonstrates understanding of purpose for a Compliance hotline and the importance of seeking guidance from a supervisor or the Compliance Officer when in doubt regarding a possible compliance issue
Ability to follow the Code of Business Conduct (Standards of Business Ethics and Integrity)
Work often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical
Requires frequent walking, standing, bending, twisting and reaching, and must be able to speak, see, and hear.
Ability to frequently lift, push and pull up to 25 lbs.
Ability to occasionally assist, as part of team, in lifting, pushing and/or pulling patients for the transfer of care, requiring exertion of up to and over 50 lbs.
Must be able to operate technical equipment in the Couplet Care area safely and in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.
Job Objective:
A Registered Nurse is responsible for the nursing care of patients as established by the Nursing Practice Act of the Board of Registered Nursing of the State of California and as guided by policies and procedures of the hospital.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Nursing Process
Applies nursing process in direct patient care:
Provides accurate assessment and documentation of physiological, psycho social, cultural, developmental, socioeconomic, and spiritual needs of patient as evidenced by assessment within time frame appropriate for level of care
Provides logical sequence of action, updates nursing care plan as evidenced by notations on care plan, provides evaluation each shift of patient’s progress In relation to the patient care plan, if applicable to area of care
Provides Information to patient/family relating to educational resources available, Directs patient/family educational process
Provides discharge planning beginning on admission with appropriate referrals and update as required by the patient
Adheres to the admission and transfer criteria
Adheres to all current policies and procedures in providing patient care and seeks clarification if needed.
Evaluates and documents outcomes of medical, nursing, and ancillary team interventions
Incorporates time management skills in accomplishing care
2. Nursing Care Delivery Process
- Demonstrates knowledge and use of resources and forms
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Demonstrates knowledge of hospital structure and administrative resources
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Demonstrates ability to interpret rules and regulations
Knowledge of legal aspects of nursing care
Demonstrates knowledge of legal documents pertinent to unit/area of care
Demonstrates knowledge of Patient rights
Acts as liaison between medical staff and patient care team
3. Technical Equipment
Able to operate technical equipment in area of care, safely, efficiently, and accurately
4. Environment
Assists in maintenance of a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment
Assesses safety/cleanliness of patient/unit environment and reports conditions requiring change
Utilizes resources, equipment, and supplies efficiently and with cost awareness
Reports hazardous conditions to appropriate department for correction
Uses clean and aseptic techniques for protection of patients and personal safety
Prevents contamination and/or transfer of Infection by use of the Exposure Control Plan and Standard Precautions in daily work
Demonstrates knowledge of emergency codes
5. Leadership/Professionalism
- Assumes responsibility for quality of care given
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Gives accurate and concise patient care report to appropriate persons
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Gives accurate, concise patient care reports
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Demonstrates knowledge of scheduling guidelines
Maintains professional attitude and effective working relationships with fellow staff members, other departments, patients’ families, medical staff and volunteers
Functions appropriately and effectively under pressure. Provides care as part of team effort in crisis or emergency situation
Adheres to all privacy laws when dealing with confidential and protected health information (PHI)
Maintains the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
Adheres to the Code of Conduct
Adheres to all Antelope Valley Hospital Compliance & Integrity Program policies and procedures including the duty to report compliance violations and the duty to disclose conflicts of interest
Completion of all mandatory initial and annual training within assigned time frames per established guidelines
Demonstrates ethical decision making, integrity, and a willingness to promote a culture of safety
6. Communication
Communicates effectively with patients, families, visitors, and physicians
Responsible for problem solving and crisis intervention related to physicians, patients, families, and staff
Follows the Chain of Command and Conflict Management process established by AVH
Displays a willingness to follow directions and to accept and utilize constructive criticism
7. Age Specific & Cultural Requirement
Demonstrate knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific and cultural groups
Participates in age specific and cultural educational and training programs
Demonstrates proficiency in required age specific and cultural competencies
Non-Essential Duties:
Participates on unit or hospital based committees
Other duties as assigned, within compliance with Title 22, The Joint Commission, and CMS.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge
Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
Conforms to required accreditation standards.
Conforms with and supports hospital quality management and performance improvement guidelines
Skills
Skill and ability to follow telephone etiquette/standards
Displays a willingness to work as a team player
Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
Abilities
Ability to adhere to all established AVH policies and procedures and to interpret and function under these.
Ability to organize work and establish priorities
Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
Ability to relieve clerical staff at desk, or to adopt any function commonly assigned to unlicensed
assistive personnel, or as allowed within scope of nursing practice, as needed
Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
Ability to be flexible in meeting staffing requirements of the facility
Ability to meet basic health requirements and physical job standards
Education and Experience:
Education
Adheres to required educational standards
Maintains current licensure, certifications, education, and physical health standards
Participates in mandatory and/or optional educational activities/offerings. Attends staff meetings regularly and as required by assigned unit
Demonstrates knowledge and competency on hospital information technologies used in the designated patient care area.
Successfully completes written and practical competencies annually or otherwise as assigned.
Experience
Two years’ acute care nursing preferred, new grad training provided as appropriate
Required Licensure and/or Certifications:
Current California Registered Nursing license
BCLS Certification
ACLS, PALS, and/or other additional Certifications required for some specialty areas
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Work often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical conditions
Accepts additional workload during times of unexpected circumstances, e.g., high activity, high census, and sudden emergencies
May be exposed to contaminated instruments that may cause infections, burns, or cuts
May also be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation
A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.
Education
Required:
Graduate from a school of nursing
Completes twenty (20) hours of training in Breastfeeding and Lactation within 6 months of hire.
Completes Couplet Care Core Competencies during orientation period.
Desired:
Two (2) years recent clinical experience in Maternal/Newborn Nursing specialty area preferred.
Required:
Meets all required licensure and/or certifications of the Registered
Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification required within 6 months from date of hire to Couplet
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is required for Couplet Care Charge
Desired:
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is encouraged for all Couplet Care
Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN).
STABLE Program