Provides direct and indirect patient care in the ambulatory care setting. Provides care that reflects initiative, flexibility and responsibility indicative of professional expectation with a minimum of supervision. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system. Communicates with physicians about changes in patient's status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas: - As SVH team members, we hold each other and ourselves accountable to our Standards of Excellence in everything we do. - Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care. - Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes neonate, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population. This includes postoperative assessments. - Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors. - Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring, identifies dysrhythmias and treats appropriately. - Decisions made reflect knowledge of facts, knowledge of diseases/surgical conditions, care required and good judgment. - Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses and assessment of changes. - Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management. - Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers. - Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patients served. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group. Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care. - Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; includes family in teaching, as appropriate. - Maintains current knowledge of medications and IV fluids and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition. - Follows the five medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors. - Demonstrates knowledge of lab requirements, requisitions. - Maintains established ambulatory care policies and procedures, objectives, performance improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards. - Maintains a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with ambulatory care standards. - Ensures an adequate stock of supplies and proper functioning of equipment. - Assists in cost containment through appropriate ordering and conserving of supplies and equipment. - Consults with other department, as appropriate, to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities. - Demonstrates the ability to assist physicians with procedures in the ambulatory care setting. - Documentation meets current standards and policies and is completed within the shift. - Maintains a good working relationship and effective communication bot within the department and with other departments for the benefit of the patient. - Assists other nursing staff with the delivery of nursing care; acts as a team leader or charge nurse when assigned. - Assists in development and implementation of nursing policies and procedures. - Orients new employees as required. - Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, inservices and workshops; shows responsibility for own professional practice and ongoing education. - Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations. - Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.