Registered Nurse Stepdown Unit

Job Description Summary

Unit Description:
Stepdown is a 15-bed adult intermediate care unit treating acutely ill patients with medical problems related to renal disease, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, and other medical issues including post-surgical and dialysis patients. The stepdown unit requires BLS upon hire and ACLS within 6 months of hire. Nurses on this unit manage medication drips such as insulin and cardiac medications per physician orders. In addition to the main unit, we have a stepdown overflow with additional 9 beds.

Full Time Hours:
36 hours per week (3 x 12-hour shifts)
Every other weekend obligation

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC004756 ORBG - Medical Surgical Stepdown Unit

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

Health-28

Scheduled Weekly Hours

36

Work Shift

Nights (United States of America)

Job Description

Job Summary

Provide professional nursing care within an assigned unit and coordinate care planning with other disciplines.

Work Environment

Regularly exposed to infectious, contagious and blood borne diseases.  Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.  Exposed to unpleasant elements including accidents, injuries and illnesses.  Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.  Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations.  Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations.  Is occasionally subject to irregular hours. Occasional exposure to radiation.

Supervisory Responsibilities

LPN, CNA, WS, Tech, MOA

Financial Responsibilities

Financial stewardship of supplies and resources.

Essential Functions

• Documents initial nursing histories, assesses patients’ conditions per policy requirements and develops individual care plans for patients taking into consideration their physical, psycho-social, environmental, cultural, and spiritual needs.
• Assists physicians with examinations, procedures and other processes related to direct patient care according to established policies and procedures.
• Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consult with other specialists as required and revises nursing care processes as necessary to obtain optimal patient care.
• Coordinates discharge planning.
• Monitors and records patients’ condition.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Using an interdisciplinary approach, formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning [including family teaching] as appropriate.
• Coordinates patients’ ordered diagnostic and therapeutic services.
• Communicates patients’ condition during hand-offs.
• Performs other miscellaneous and related duties as assigned by the director of nursing, charge nurse and/or medical staff.
• Performs charge duties as requested by director, after six (6) months nursing experience and appropriate training as required.
• Rounds on patients per policy to improve clinical outcome.
• Orients or mentors new staff members.
• Listens effectively to the patient to facilitate care requirements.
• Provides first line customer service response.
• Follows the MUSC Standards of Behaviors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements are primarily related to the essential functions of any job. In order to perform the essential functions of this position, you must be able to stand up to twelve (12) hours, walk, sit, use hands, reach, stoop, kneel, talk, hear and smell.  Must be able to lift or exert energy up to 35 pounds. The Regional Medical Center has purchased patient transfer/lift devices to reduce the physical lifting of patients. Safe patient handling equipment is to be utilized for the transfer and lifting of patients greater than 35 pounds.

Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more) color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe area that can be seen move up/down or left/right) and depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances).

Mental Requirements

Must possess the ability to read and interpret business or safety manuals, clinical or technical procedures or regulations. Ability to write reports, correspondence and/or manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, patients, families, other employees and medical staff.  Ability to perform more complex math functions (add, subtract, multiply and divide) to include calculating percentages, averages, volume, ratio and interpreting graphs - using numbers and units of measure. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with concrete and abstract concepts and interpret verbal, nonverbal and written instructions.  Ability to multitask and prioritize assigned and assumed responsibilities to complete patient care as necessary.

Population Served

This position primarily interacts with all age groups and provides direct patient care. All staff members must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to meet the physical, psycho/social, educational, safety, and related needs of the persons in the assigned work area.  Staff members must be able to understand and respond to the expectations and needs of patients, family members and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from accredited school of nursing. Bachelor of Nursing degree preferred. Current RN license in the state of South Carolina. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required. Some clinical or hospital experience is preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time.
2. Proficiency in manual dexterity and fine motor skills for tasks such as taking patient vitals, administering injections, or conducting physical exams.
3. Capacity to lift and move patients or medical equipment as needed.
4. Visual acuity and color perception to accurately read medical charts, documents, and monitors.
5. Auditory ability to effectively communicate with patients and colleagues, as well as to perceive important sounds such as alarms or patient instructions.
6. Stamina and resilience to handle the physical and emotional demands of providing patient care, including long shifts and potentially stressful situations.
7. Mobility to navigate clinical environments, including moving between patient rooms, offices, and other areas of the facility.
8. Compliance with infection control protocols and proper use of personal protective equipment to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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