Registered Nurse - Pain Mgmt, FT, Days

JOB TITLE: Registered Nurse - Pain Mgmt, FT, Days

About Us:

Located in Wichita, KS, Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital (KSSH) is a regional center for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the spine, neck and joint. Dedicated to improving the quality of life of our patients, Kansas Spine practices a team approach, providing patients with access to a specialized team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, pain management providers, internal medicine physicians and nurses.

Essential Functions:

• Prepares pre-procedure for patient admission according to hospital policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of drug usage, their actions and side effects, interaction with anesthesia agents and expected patient outcomes.
• Recognizes emergency situation, responds quickly and efficiently following policy and procedure, ACLS, physician orders or emergency plan to prevent adverse patient outcomes.
• Maintains knowledge and adheres to policies/procedure, care standards for pain management.
• Ensures patient meets admit requirements before patient has a procedure.
• Reviews patients’ medical histories, home medications, and allergies.
• Monitors patients who have received conscious sedation pain medication.
• Provides verbal instructions to family or responsible party during pre-procedure period about the procedure experience.
• Administers pain medication, per physician’s orders.
• Assists physicians and nursing team during the implementation of treatments.
• Assesses and documents patients’ response to treatment.
• Demonstrates compassion for patients who are suffering from pain.
• Reviews diagnostic tests.
• Utilizes a pain assessment tool to evaluate patients’ pain level.
• Maintains knowledge of medications, expected patient outcomes post-procedure/recovery, and anticipated complications.
• Provides verbal and written instructions to family or responsible party for home care including emergency contact numbers, general instructions, and physician specific instructions.
• Educates patients and their families on pain relief options.
• Documents that assessments, interventions and patient outcomes are performed according to policy and procedure and hospital standards.
• Restocks supplies/equipment in assigned work area to maintain adequate levels for patient care.
• Checks medications for expiration dates.
• Rotates supplies/medications so that outdates are at a minimum.
• Demonstrates continued competence in assessing, treating, and caring for individuals based upon age-specific needs utilizing a developmental perspective.
• Demonstrates appropriate knowledge and competence of designated skills identified for position.
• Performs appropriate nursing duties during procedures that pertain to pain management using current nursing standards as well as hospital standards.
• Completes all documentation to ensure the availability of accurate and up to date information in accordance with established standards.
• Adheres to established hospital safety requirements and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
• Demonstrates the safe operation of equipment and machinery and follows procedures for reporting and correcting an unsafe situation.
• Demonstrates the importance of continuing education to the performance of hospital responsibilities and growth in profession.
• Communicates patient information to assure confidentiality and continuity of care.
• Interacts with all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees in a mature, responsible manner to ensure a positive and professional hospital environment.
• Participates on committees and contributes to quality improvement process.
• Actively protects patient and self by following OSHA and other standards reviewed in annual training.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited two-year college or university, or diploma in nursing.  BSN desired.
• Possession of valid state license as Registered Nurse in the state of Kansas.
• ACLS required or must be able to obtain within 60 days of hire
• BLS required or must be able to obtain within 60 days of hire
• Minimum one year of clinical experience in Pain Management, PACU, Emergency or ICU.   Proficiency with IV placement preferred.