RN Critical Care Support

Schedule - Part-time Nights

General Summary Statement

Provides comprehensive, quality nursing care through application of the nursing process. Adheres to Nursing Policies and Procedures and Organizational Goals and Objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

1. Provides age appropriate care for the population served. Gives consideration to growth & developmental phase of life, to age related factors such as thermal regulation, nutrition, medication administration, nutrition, safety and functional needs of the patient.
2. Uses appropriate resources for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.
3. Ensures attention to patient’s physical, spiritual and emotional well being.
4. Demonstrates competency in assessment skills
5. Performs pain assessments and intervenes to optimally meet patient’s needs for comfort.
6. Plans clinical care based on patient’s needs and uses available resources.
7. Performs clinical care in accordance with policy and procedure.
8. Performs peripheral venipuncture and peripheral and central vascular access care according to policy & procedure.
9. Evaluates outcomes of nursing interventions and takes appropriate actions to move patient toward reaching goals of care.
10. Identifies situations that warrant patient rescue and takes appropriate action, e.g. Rapid Response or Code Blue/Pink.
11. Responds to Rapid Responses & Code PCI calls.
12. Adheres to the 5 rights of medication administration and uses the medication administration system.
13. Integrates principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.
14. Adheres to aseptic technique as appropriate.
15. Uses resources and references for reviewing policies and procedures, medications, and clinical information.
16. Prioritizes and organizes work effectively within assigned shift.
17. Demonstrates proficiency in arrhythmia interpretation and intervention.
18. Facilitates admission, discharge and transfer of monitored patients. Assists with critical care and telemetry transports when available.
19. Monitors, assesses and intervenes for Medical/Surgical patients until the patient is stabilized or transferred to a higher level of care.
20. Assists with initiation/administration of medications and infusions. Demonstrates current knowledge of cardiac pharmacology.
21. Collaborates with physicians/physicians assistants/advance practice nurses about the care and treatment of the patient, patient placement, and initiation or discontinuation of telemetry monitoring.
22. Demonstrates understanding of use and functionality of central station monitors, transport monitors, emergency cart monitors, passive displays and telemetry transmitters.

Communication

1. Uses effective communication during hand-offs. (e.g. shift report, transfer report).
2. Organizes information into a meaningful format, such as SBAR.
3. Delegates appropriately to unlicensed personnel and team members.
4. Communicates patient care information to the interdisciplinary care team. Works collaboratively with physicians and physician extenders by communicating M/S telemetry monitoring criteria and managing discontinuation of M/S telemetry.
5. Provides patient and family education in a manner that is understood and gives the patient and family handouts, brochures and resources that can be taken home for future reference.

Documentation

1. Documents patient care in an accurate, professional and timely manner using the electronic medical record(s), and paper documentation forms.
2. Documents patient care that is relevant to patient’s diagnosis, problems and reflects patient’s status.
3. Interprets, signs/dates/times rhythm strips for Med/Surg patients and places in patient record every shift.

Professional Role Development

1. Develops own nursing knowledge via practice, observation, professional literature, networking and attending continuing education programs.
2. Promotes best practice by demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care and the profession of nursing.
3. Serves as a preceptor and mentor for new employees and med/surg staff
4. Mentors student nurses.
5. Demonstrates verbal and writing skills that are appropriate for healthcare communication.

Department of Nursing and Organization Support

1. Attends assigned committee meetings and contributes to the committees.
2. Communicates support of organizational values and strategies.
3. Supports the following organizational programs: Magnet® , Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification, Nursing Councils, and integrates their standards into clinical practice.
4. Reviews nursing quality data, e.g. NDNQI and identifies how to apply best practice into own practice and mentor others towards meeting quality target goals.

Departmental Support

1. Maintains equipment in working order. Uses equipment appropriately, follows Department policies for equipment and supply use and maintenance.
2. Performs assigned duties to maintain unit in a state of survey readiness and maintain quality initiatives. For example, quality control measures, emergency equipment checks, medication preparation area cleanliness, etc.
3. Adheres to unit programs to support patient care such as maintaining a quiet environment, hourly patient rounds, customer service, etc.
4. Assists with education and on-going competency assessment of Monitor Surveillance Technicians by validating rhythm interpretations.
5. Keeps patient care area and work environment neat and organized.

Education Training and Experience

Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) is required.

Experience in acute care specialty specific area preferred.

Licensure/Certification

Current Pennsylvania RN License.

CPR certification required.

ACLS certification required, or must complete within 12 months of hire.

Certification in clinical specialty is preferred.