Registered Nurse Admissions Clinical Decision Unit

General Summary Statement

The ADT nurse (admission, discharge, and transfer) is primarily responsible for assisting with assessments and documentation for arrivals and departures on the clinical decision unit. In most cases, the ADT nurse will not have a primary patient load, and will function by assisting the primary bedside RN with admission assessments and discharge instructions. They will also help to facilitate transfers off of the floor in a timely manner. The ADT nurse must be able to operate independently, while collaborating with the charge nurse to facilitate patient flow. Critical thinking and prioritization skills are highly valued skills of the ADT RN.

ACLS required
Telemetry, Critical Care, or Emergency nursing experience preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

1. Provides age appropriate care for the population served. Gives consideration to growth & developmental phase of life, to age related factors such as thermal regulation, nutrition, medication administration, nutrition, safety and functional needs of the patient.
2. Uses appropriate resources for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.
3. Ensures attention to patient’s physical, spiritual and emotional well being.
4. Demonstrates competency in assessment skills (Includes admission and shift assessments).
5. Performs pain assessments and intervenes to optimally meet patient’s needs for comfort.
6. Plans clinical care based on patient’s needs and uses available resources.
7. Performs clinical care in accordance with policy and procedure.
8. Performs peripheral venipuncture and peripheral and central vascular access care according to policy & procedure.
9. Evaluates outcomes of nursing interventions and takes appropriate actions to move patient toward reaching goals of care.
10. Identifies situations that warrant patient rescue and takes appropriate action, e.g. Rapid Response or Code Blue.
11. Adheres to the 5 rights of medication administration and uses the Medication Administration Check (MAK) system per policy and procedure.
12. Integrates principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.
13. Adheres to aseptic technique as appropriate.
14. Uses resources and references for reviewing policies and procedures, medications, and clinical information.
15. Prioritizes and organizes work effectively within assigned shift.
16. Demonstrates proficiency in arrhythmia interpretation and intervention.
17. Administers appropriate medications and infusions as ordered. Demonstrates current knowledge of cardiac pharmacology.
18. Collaborates with physicians/physicians assistants/advance practice nurses about the care and treatment of the telemetry patient and initiation or discontinuation of telemetry monitoring.
19. Demonstrates understanding of use and functionality of central station monitors, transport monitors, emergency cart monitors, passive displays and telemetry transmitters.

Communication

1. Uses effective communication during hand-offs. (e.g. Shift report, transfer report, etc).
2. Organizes information into a meaningful format, such as SBAR.
3. Delegates appropriately to unlicensed personnel and team members.
4. Communicates patient care information to the interdisciplinary care team.
5. Provides patient and family education in a manner that is understood and gives the patient and family handouts, brochures and resources that can be taken home for future reference.
6. Utilizes teach-back method to assess patient understanding.

Documentation

1. Documents patient care in an accurate, professional and timely manner using Soarian, MAK, and paper documentation forms according to policy and procedure.
2. Documents patient care that is relevant to patient’s diagnosis, problems and reflects patient’s status.
3. Signs, dates, and times rhythm strips to validate rhythm interpretation once per shift and when a significant change in rhythm is determined.

Education Training and Experience

Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program. Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) is required.

Experience preferred, however training and specialty specific education programs are provided during orientation, and must be successfully completed as scheduled.

Basic computer skills: keyboard, mouse use. Ability to complete data entry on clinical documentation screens. Ability to use email and internet. Ability to successfully complete on the job training for CCH computer programs. Ability to practice critical thinking and organizational skills. Ability to speak, read, write and understand English.

Licensure/Certification

Current Pennsylvania RN License.

CPR certification required. ACLS certification required, or must complete within 12 months of hire. Certification in clinical specialty is preferred.

Must meet specialty specific competency requirements.

Dysrhythmia Interpretation Required Annually

Peritoneal Dialysis

1. Develops own nursing knowledge via practice, observation, professional literature, networking and attending continuing education programs.
2. Promotes best practice by demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care and the profession of nursing.
3. Promotes innovation and creativity in the practice environment.
4. Serves as a preceptor and mentor for new employees.
5. Mentors student nurses.
6. Accepts constructive feedback about performance or behaviors and shows evidence of change.
7. Demonstrates verbal and writing skills that are appropriate for healthcare communication.
8. Adheres to the Department of Nursing Dress Code.