Responsibilities:

• Complete head to toe assessment and re-assessment of patients to identify their care needs
• Develop written care plans based on patients’ needs, monitor and evaluate effectiveness of interventions
• Carry out hemodynamic monitoring to include vital signs, neurological and fluid status; labs and radiological evaluations
• Document all assessment data, investigation results, care given, discussions with the multidisciplinary team, family/patient interactions in an accurate, comprehensive and timely manner
• Administer medication safely, monitor patient responses to medication and promptly report adverse reactions.
• Assess and monitor patients who are receiving chemotherapy with the assistance of a chemotherapy nurse.
• Dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste safely in accordance with Aga Khan University Hospital
• Assist patients with activities of daily living such as feeding, bathing and dressing
• Prepare for and assist physicians to perform various procedures such as Lumbar Puncture and insertion of invasive lines
• Carry out pre and post-operative care for the surgical patient
• Maintain adequate airway management to include oxygen therapy, nebulization and suctioning
• Prepare patients for various investigations including lab and radiological imaging.
• Collect specimens such as sputum, stool, urine and ensure correct labeling of specimen bottles
• Perform pain assessment and initiate analgesia as per protocol
• Promptly report both clinical and non-clinical unusual findings/incidences to the nurse manager, team leader or physician
• Identify patient and family education needs and implement appropriate teaching 
• Be able to commence enteral feeds as prescribed, assess absorption and elimination, and give feedback as appropriate
• Be able to recognize a patient in a pre- arrest or arrest states, and to initiate Basic Life Support
• Provide a safe environment for patients through adherence to infection control practices and other safety policies.
• Participate in quality initiatives including clinical care program certification (CCPC)
• Be accountable for judicious and efficient use of resources i.e. accurate and timely billing of ward stock drugs and consumables
• Care for equipment through cleaning, storage, per shift check of the inventory and timely reporting and follow up of nonfunctional equipment to the nurse manager
• Follow discharge procedure of assigned patients according to hospital protocol, and ensure follow up appointments are made
• Assist in orientation of new nurses and mentoring of junior nursing staff and students
• Provide leadership for the team and manage the unit in a given shift
• Participate in unit-based nursing education, quality improvement (QI) projects, audits, spot checks and skill checks

Requirements

• RN from a recognized school of nursing or University
• Current licensure with the Nursing Council of Kenya
• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Demonstrate evidence based knowledge of current practices in Medical-Surgical nursing