UI Health - Staff Nurse I - SCB GI/Endoscopy Lab

Position Summary

The Staff Nurse I provides direct patient care and takes the initiative to improve patient outcomes by integrating Shared Leadership, Evidence Based Practice, Relationship Based Care, and standards of nursing excellence into clinical practice. This position integrates professional practice model, current standards of practice and clinical experience to provide "quality" patient care as measured by established nursing quality standards and other governing/accrediting health care bodies. The Staff Nurse I engages and obtains information from patient and/or family to advocate for the patient, develops an appropriate patient educational plan, and responds to patient's changing needs while sharing information and collaborating with other members of the health care team to promote effective patient care. The Staff Nurse I participates in organizational, departmental, and shared leadership activities; supports department and unit goals in daily behavior.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and updates the patient’s plan of care based on on-going assessment of the patient and input from the patient’s family.

• Shares information and collaborates with other members of the health care team to promote effective patient care.

• Verifies and implements orders from physician, physician assistant and/or advance practice nurse by performing interventions as prescribed by the provider and documenting accurately in the electronic medical record.

• Engages and obtains information from patient and/or family to develop an appropriate patient educational plan.

• Recognizes symptoms, establishes priorities, and responds to patient’s changing needs.

• Engages support personnel by delegating appropriate tasks per the Illinois State Nurse Practice Act and provides support and feedback.

• Advocates for patients, families, and their significant others, the community, and the nursing profession.

• Integrates theoretical knowledge, evidence-based research, current standards of practice and clinical experience to provide “quality” patient care as measured by established nursing quality standards and other governing/accrediting health care bodies.

• Assumes role of Charge Nurse when assigned, utilizing appropriate resources and tools.

• Collaborates with other nurses to identify, promote, and provide positive learning experiences for staff and students.

• Serves as preceptor and/or resource to other nursing, support staff and students. Provides orientation to new employees in collaboration with the Endoscopy leadership team.

• Takes responsibility for continued professional growth/development by identification of learning needs and initiates strategies to meet such needs.

• Assists in various procedures such as colonoscopies, endoscopies, and other diagnostic tests as directed by physician.

• Consistently demonstrates professional accountability.

• Holds other professionally accountable.

• Gastroenterology nurses educate patients on their conditions, treatment options, and necessary lifestyle modifications. They provide information on medications, diet changes, and self-care practices to help patients manage their gastrointestinal health effectively.

• Supports UI Health and Endoscopy Services Mission, Philosophy, and goals.

• Utilizes established communication channels to resolve work related problems.

• Interviews prospective employees as requested.

• Ensures that the environment is clean, attractive, safe, and free from hazards for patients, staff, and visitors.

• Administers medications and monitor conscious sedation during procedures to ensure patient comfort and safety. Closely monitor the patient's sedation levels, vital signs, and response to medications.

• Ensures and supports research efforts conducted within the Hospital and Clinics.

• Ensures that patients are clinically stable before discharge and provide them with comprehensive discharge instructions. Educate patients on post procedure care, potential complications to watch for, and when to seek medical attention.

•Monitors and documents the patient's condition before, during, and after endoscopy procedures.

•Put stock away in appropriate areas in a timely manner. Keep supply areas neat, clean, and organized, by keeping stock off the floor and in their designated areas. Restock appropriately.

•Assess and address pain levels, administer appropriate pain medications, and monitor the patient's response to pain management interventions.

•Performs pre-procedure assessment. Review pre-procedure patient information, including H&P, medications, and allergies.

•Thorough knowledge of and ability to implement principles of aseptic technique. Knowledge of basic infection control practices.

•Knowledge of endoscopy instruments and equipment to include the use, handling of care, especially of endoscopy equipment.

•Perform equipment inventory at required intervals. Notifies Manager of discrepancies/ problems. Monitor equipment received and transferred out of department. Arrange repair of equipment through Clinical Engineering. Make arrangements for loaner equipment in conjunction with the supervisor.

•Operate equipment for processing and high-level disinfection of equipment including performing daily quality control and maintains accurate documentation.

•Assists in setting up and cleaning of procedure rooms: coordinate the proper equipment setup to ensure smooth functioning of procedure room; assist with transportation/ positioning of patients as needed.

•Performs bedside pre-cleaning of endoscopy scopes and equipment.

•Maintains and assist with operation of endoscope towers and image recording systems to ensure proper documentation of procedures.

•Other duties as assigned.