Pediatric Nurse

Roles and responsibilities

The Registered Nurse with Inpatient Pediatrics experience is responsible for delivering high-quality, family-centered care to pediatric patients admitted to the inpatient unit. The role involves assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating individualized nursing care while ensuring patient safety and comfort in accordance with hospital policies and pediatric healthcare standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient Care:
• Provide compassionate, evidence-based nursing care to pediatric patients with varying medical, surgical, or rehabilitation needs.
• Monitor and record patients’ vital signs, growth, and development, and promptly report changes in condition to the physician.
• Administer medications, treatments, and therapies in accordance with prescribed protocols.
• Assist with diagnostic tests, procedures, and post-procedure care as needed.
• Family-Centered Care:
• Educate and support families on the child’s condition, treatment plans, and home care requirements.
• Encourage family participation in the care process to promote a supportive environment for the child’s recovery.
• Documentation & Reporting:
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive medical records, including nursing assessments, care plans, and interventions.
• Ensure timely and effective communication with the multidisciplinary team regarding patient progress and concerns.
• Health & Safety:
• Follow infection control protocols and ensure a clean, safe, and child-friendly environment within the pediatric unit.
• Monitor for potential risks, including falls, and implement preventative measures.
• Professional Development:
• Participate in ongoing training, workshops, and certifications to stay updated on pediatric nursing best practices.
• Collaborate with team members for quality improvement initiatives and evidence-based practices in pediatric care.
• Emergency Care:
• Respond swiftly to medical emergencies, providing advanced life support or initiating CPR as needed.
• Prepare and stabilize patients for transfer to higher levels of care when required.
  

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Licensing: Valid nursing license as per regulatory requirements.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 2–3 years of inpatient pediatric nursing experience.
• Experience with critical care pediatrics or rehabilitation settings is an advantage.
• Certifications:
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Desired candidate profile

• Clinical Knowledge and Pediatric Care

  • In-depth knowledge of pediatric health conditions, growth and development milestones, and pediatric pharmacology.
  • Ability to assess, plan, and provide care for pediatric patients with various conditions, such as respiratory distress, infections, chronic conditions, neurological disorders, and trauma.

• Pain Management

  • Skilled in assessing pain in children, including non-verbal patients, and implementing appropriate pain management strategies.
  • Knowledge of pediatric pain relief methods, including medication administration, comfort techniques, and family-centered care approaches.

• Critical Thinking and Decision Making

  • Strong clinical judgment to make quick decisions in emergency or high-pressure situations, especially in pediatric intensive care settings.
  • Ability to recognize changes in a child's condition and take appropriate action, including calling for immediate interventions if necessary.

• Communication Skills

  • Ability to communicate effectively with children of different ages, their families, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
  • Explaining complex medical procedures and treatment plans in ways that are understandable for both children and their families.

• Patient Advocacy

  • Serving as an advocate for the child’s well-being, ensuring that they receive proper treatment and their voices are heard in the decision-making process.
  • Working with other medical professionals to ensure the child’s emotional, physical, and psychological needs are met.

• Developmental Care and Family-Centered Care

  • Understanding the developmental stages of children and providing age-appropriate care and education.
  • Incorporating family-centered approaches, including involving family members in care plans and supporting them emotionally.

• Emergency Response and Resuscitation

  • Proficiency in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and other emergency protocols to manage critical situations, such as respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or trauma.
  • Ability to manage life-saving procedures and deliver resuscitation efforts when necessary.

• Medical Equipment Proficiency

  • Experience with pediatric medical equipment such as infusion pumps, neonatal incubators, ventilators, pulse oximeters, and blood pressure cuffs for children.
  • Competence in performing procedures like IV insertions, catheterizations, and drawing blood on pediatric patients.

• Infection Control

  • Knowledge of infection prevention and control practices, particularly in vulnerable pediatric patients who may have weakened immune systems.
  • Understanding hospital protocols to minimize the risk of infections, including hospital-acquired infections.

• Emotional Support and Counseling

  • Providing psychological support for children and their families during hospital stays, offering comfort and reassurance during stressful times.
  • Recognizing the emotional needs of both the child and their family, and providing resources for counseling or therapy if necessary.