Registered Nurse (RN) - Lactation Center

This position is a Registered Nurse role in a Lactation Center, where you will provide comprehensive nursing care to patients using the full nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. You will collaborate with physicians and other healthcare team members to coordinate and implement procedures and treatments, while using clinical judgment and leadership skills to direct patient care activities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patient interviews, explain policies and procedures, review patient charts, and answer questions courteously
• Assess gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurological health status; determine mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition
• Assess pain levels and pain management effectiveness
• Communicate and document patient physiologic health status and plan of care
• Assess patient psychosocial health status, coping mechanisms, knowledge level, and ability to comprehend
• Identify cultural and ethnic requirements to reduce anxiety and ensure patient satisfaction
• Communicate and document psychological status and coordinate support groups, counseling services, and social services
• Identify patient outcomes and develop criteria for measurement
• Identify actual and potential patient problems and teaching needs based on psychosocial and developmental assessment
• Develop individualized patient outcome statements and establish patient goals
• Identify care activities and establish priorities to achieve expected outcomes
• Coordinate cost-effective use of supplies, equipment, and medication
• Document the plan of care and collaborate with physicians and healthcare team members
• Implement the plan of care while maintaining constant vigilance over patient safety
• Ensure safety precautions are followed, such as side rails, call lights, and bedside stand accessibility
• Exercise professional skills related to the plan of care and reassess patients as needed
• Revise the plan of care appropriately based on patient response
• Correctly administer prescribed treatments and use equipment necessary for patient care
• Provide emotional support to patients and significant others
• Apply scientific principles when performing procedures safely, timely, and efficiently
• Make accurate observations of patient conditions during treatments and procedures
• Report and record observations appropriately
• Keep accurate documentation of patient treatment, activity, condition, and responses to medical and nursing interventions
• Use appropriate documentation methods according to departmental policy
• Act rapidly and effectively during emergency situations
• Provide a calm, quiet, restful atmosphere
• Communicate effectively with patient families and caretakers
• Participate in discharge planning and coordinate referrals
• Provide discharge instructions to patients and significant others
• Evaluate care provided and patient outcomes
• Measure effectiveness of care provided and document findings
• Perform variance analysis related to outcome data for performance improvement
• Design, implement, and evaluate systems to improve unit care
• Collaborate with care team members in planning and carrying out treatment regimens
• Provide direction to other care team members
• Accurately interpret and implement physician-prescribed treatment regimens
• Assist physicians during treatments and diagnostic procedures
• Keep Patient Care Manager and physician informed of changes in patient condition or treatments
• Use clinical judgment when delegating assignments and ensure timely completion
• Perform Grade I-IV decubitus care
• Perform preventive skin care measures
• Apply simple dressings using aseptic technique principles
• Apply warm and cold compresses consistent with facility procedure
• Perform irrigations consistent with facility procedure
• Perform other skin care procedures as necessary
• Administer medications correctly and safely
• Correctly identify medications in terms of action, dosage, side effects, and patient implications
• Meet standards on medication administration examination
• Demonstrate preparation of local solutions
• Administer and document medications correctly
• Educate patients and significant others regarding drug and food interactions
• Participate in patient and family education
• Provide explanations of patient conditions as indicated
• Communicate assessment data in an orderly fashion by recording, updating, and verbalizing pertinent information to care team members and appropriate agencies
• Recognize and utilize health teaching opportunities and available resources and materials
• Provide early discharge planning and appropriate referrals for post-hospital care
• Evaluate teaching effectiveness through patient and family feedback and document findings
• Perform related duties as required

Required Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing
• Current License to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
• Must be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two years and obtain a BSN Degree within five years of job entry date
• Specialized certifications as needed

Education and Licensure

You must hold a current New York State Registered Professional Nurse license. Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing is required. A Bachelor's Degree in Nursing is preferred, and you must be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two years of hire, with completion of the BSN degree required within five years of your job entry date. Specialized certifications may be required based on the position.