Float Pool

Overview

The Float Pool is the ideal team for individuals who have experience in one or more areas and enjoy working in a variety of settings. The Float Pool provides the expertise of experienced team members who are prepared to serve in many areas of our organization. This team is composed of Registered Nurses that at minimum have eighteen months of nursing experience in a hospital setting. These nurses must also have experience in the area(s) that they are hired to work in. Following orientation, the Float Pool team members are deployed to staff scheduling needs at RMC and NMC campuses. Departments supported by the Float Pool are: Acute Care (including the Rehabilitation Pavilion at NMC), Critical Care, Emergency Department, and Behavioral Health. The Float Pool is the ideal team for individuals who have experience in one or more areas and enjoy working in a variety of settings. The flexibility of the Float Pool team member is recognized by a premium pay rate (please consult DCH Human Resources for more details).

Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, and directs quality, compassionate care by maintaining standards of professional nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients/families. Supervises LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, US, Ortho Techs and other non-licensed staff.

Assesses condition on each assigned patient on admission and on an ongoing basis to include but not limited to the patient’s physical condition, psychological status, social status, spiritual and cultural needs, pain assessment/management, nutritional and functional status, developmental or age related factors, and discharge planning needs.

Plans, provides, and documents patient and/or significant other education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.

Evaluates and regularly reevaluates patient care; coordinates care planning with patient, family, providers and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.

Assigns and delegates nursing care to team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the capabilities of the team members.

Applies safety principles when performing care

Accurately documents observations, care provided, and changes in care plan.

Provides accurate handoff reports and participates in unit based huddles

Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.

Performs initial and annual competency per job class.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Current Alabama RN license required. Eighteen months of RN experience required with one (1) year RN experience in Acute Care, Critical Care, Emergency Department, Maternal Child, or Behavioral Health.

Current Certifications/Licenses listed below are required for their respective areas:

• Acute Care:  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider
• Critical Care:  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Behavioral Health:  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider
• Emergency Department:  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) required. Preferred: Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
• Maternal Child:  Obstetrics:  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider,
• Well Baby Nursery (WBN):  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider, AHA Neonatal Resusucitation (NRP),
• Labor and Delivery:  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider, AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training required within the first 6-12 months of employment.  AHA Neonatal Resusucitation Program (NRP) training required within the first 6-12 months of employment.
• Pediatrics:  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider, AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training required within the frist 6-12 months of employment.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU):  American Heart Association (AHA) approved BLS HealthCare Provider, AHA Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) required within the first 6-12 months of employment. 
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORK CONTEXT

• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Requires decision making that will affect others
• Responsible to achieve outcomes
• Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately
• Ability to delegate to team members and students
• Must be able to receive delegation
• Address conflict and stressful situation
• Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion
• Dealing with unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive personalities
• Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting
• Must be able to work in groups
• Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work
• Must be able to meet time pressure and time lines
• Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions
• Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking
• Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction
• Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit and stoop
• Must be able to run in an emergency
• Must have the ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull and carry objects
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner and must be ablet o feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must possess stamina to work prolonged shifts
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.