Transport Team Nurse

The Transport Nurse is an experienced, professional nurse with primary responsibility for the stabilization and organized transport of critically ill patients for Children's Memorial Hospital in a mobile environment, as well as triages and facilitates requests for patient transfer from referring hospitals. As a secondary responsibility, the Transport Nurse is responsible for the development of educational programs. Customer service, communication and public relations are key aspects of this position.

Essential Job Functions:

Nursing Process:

• Obtains and records a realistic assessment of the patient's health status through interview, physical exam, records, reports, and consultations, which is accurate and comprehensive.

• Triages request for transport/transfer. Facilitates admitting medical service, bed placement and determines the appropriate mode of transport (ALS/BLS/Transport Team). Works collaboratively with the referring hospital to this end.

• Determines the team composition, equipment needed, and the mode of transportation for safe and expedient transport based on protocol and the immediate/potential physical condition of the patient.

• Formulates a plan of care related to identified patient problems and prioritizes appropriate stabilization measures based upon patient assessment and protocol. Recommends appropriate stabilization measures for referring facility to initiate. Plan includes planning for potential emergency situations and addresses the desired outcomes of transport.

• Implements nursing interventions and protocol measures consistent with the plan of care to include participation and education of the patient and family as well as the referring healthcare team as appropriate.

• Evaluates the patient's progress through continuous observation and assessment of responses to interventions, treatments, and therapies.

• Revises the plan of care according to changes in patient needs.

• Accurately documents assessment, actions taken, and the patient's response to illness, intervention, transport and teaching.

Provides staffing in the Transport Communications Center

- Triages and facilitates request for patient transfer.

- Dispatches the team.

- Maintains communication between the referring and receiving facilities.

- Maintains communication and obtains patient update from ground and air transport services.

- Monitors inclement weather and informs team.

Safety:

Maintains transport equipment and instrumentation in good working order and a constant state of readiness. Correctly utilizes the appropriate equipment as indicated by the patient assessment and plan of care. Evaluates new equipment and provides input into the budget. Establishes and maintains a safe and therapeutic environment in which to provide optimum care and transport. Demonstrates awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and transport. Strives to anticipate and appropriately manage risks. Knowledge base/technical skills:

Demonstrates base knowledge and use of nursing standards and transport protocols in the care and decision making for transported patients. Demonstrates competency in expanded role skills of transport nursing as well as comprehensive critical care nursing skills. Performs effectively in emergency situations following protocols, informing appropriate persons, and documenting events. Customer Service:

Communicates patient's condition and need for transport with the parent(s). Utilizes a family centered approach when interacting with family. Actively protects patient's rights as identified by policy. Understands customer service as it relates to all healthcare professional interactions. ·Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers and others.

Leadership:

Collaborates and communicates plan of care with other team members, referring hospital staff, and Children's Memorial staff. Role models communication standards. Demonstrates teambuilding skills. Strives for collegial working relationships. Mentors team members. Assists others in the development of critical thinking skills. Professionally directs other team members and delegates appropriately. Provides education, formally and informally, to patients, family members and members of the healthcare team. Professional Development:

Identifies and evaluates progress toward yearly goals for self as they related to Hospital goals. Seeks opportunities to develop as a professional and transport nurse including conference attendance, skills lab, OR experience , annual team education, and team committee participation.