Main Task, Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities:
Key Responsibilities and Duties
- Provides and monitors direct and indirect patient care to achieve optimum patient outcomes.
- Assumes accountability and responsibility for own practice and does not carry out tasks beyond the level of competence.
- Incorporates the religious and cultural needs of patients into individualized care plans and includes input from family members where appropriate.
- Coordinates individualized patient care from the point of first contact throughout the episode of care, including discharge planning.
- Maintains timely and accurate nursing records and ensures patient confidentiality is respected at all times.
- Identifies patients in accordance with the organization’s patient identification policy.
- Maintains professional contact with patients and relatives, being sensitive to their needs for courtesy, dignity, and privacy, while ensuring a friendly and supportive environment at all times.
- Independently evaluates, plans, and implements individualized care plans for patients and assists junior staff with this process.
- Documents all assessments, interventions, and other pertinent information in the patient’s healthcare record in a timely and ongoing manner.
- Understands the role of audit and research, maintains an effective audit trail, and contributes to continual improvement within quality assurance programs.
- Demonstrates service excellence and acts as a patient advocate to support patients’ rights and dignity at all times.
- Ensures all equipment and resources are maintained and utilized economically and efficiently.
- Promptly reports complaints and incidents related to patient care to the Unit Charge Nurse/Team Leader and assists with investigations in accordance with hospital policies.
- Coordinates referrals and utilizes available resources to provide comprehensive care to patients and families.
- Promotes and utilizes evidence-based practice in the provision of patient care.
- Facilitates a climate of mutual understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural differences inherent in a multicultural society.
- Prepares and administers medications in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
- Demonstrates knowledge of medication actions and contraindications, evaluates patients’ responses, identifies side effects, and initiates appropriate action.
- Reports adverse drug reactions and medication errors in accordance with DHA regulations and organizational policies.
- Ensures the storage and administration of narcotic and controlled drugs are carried out in accordance with DHA narcotic policies and procedures and area-specific requirements.
- Handles medications safely, including narcotic, controlled, semi-controlled, and high-alert medications, while adhering to the medication rights.
- Maintains sound knowledge of medications and their safe administration.
- Responds appropriately to all levels of emergencies in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
- Provides guidance and advice to the patient care team on clinical and administrative matters.
- Performs accurate and complete patient admission assessments.
- Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to share expertise and knowledge and ensure continuity of care.
- Provides supportive resources to patients and families to promote a positive outlook and enhance coping.
- Educates patients and families regarding treatment plans, expectations, and required care.