Intensive Care Unit/Stepdown Registered Nurse

Articulates the job's main responsibilities. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all essential functions or all duties performed. The essential functions listed below and percentage of time may vary between departments and locations, and are subject to change based on management discretion and organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned at the discretion of management to meet organizational needs. 

• Integrates Evidence-Based Practice, clinical expertise, patients, their family/designated care partner(s) preferences and cultural beliefs and values for delivery of optimal healthcare.

• Partners with patients, their family/designated care partner(s)) in identifying learning needs and priorities and provides education in ways that are useful, understandable, and affirming.

• Minimizes risk of harm to patients and others by following established nursing practices and protocols and individual performance. Uses information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support ethical decision making.

• Uses data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and uses improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of patient care. Functions effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care.

• Recognizes the patients, their family/designated care partner(s) in providing safe, compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient's personal preferences, priorities, needs, and cultural beliefs and values. Creates an environment of belonging and inclusion, demonstrating skills in problem solving and conflict resolution.

• Demonstrates a commitment to learning and seeks opportunities for continued professional growth and development and acts in primary preceptor role to appropriate staff members. Actively participates in hospital- and practice setting-based committees, including safety and quality improvement. Demonstrates willingness to give and receive feedback and integrates appropriate changes into practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required or preferred.

Education - Required

• Specialized Diploma Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required

Education - Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree BSN or completion of BSN within 3 years of hire strongly preferred

Experience - Preferred

• Previous experience as an RN in an acute care setting strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Required

• Patient-and Family-Centered Practice Knowledge of how to convey respect and collaborate with each patient, family and/or designated care partner in care and care planning.

• Cultural Awareness Knowledge of people with diverse backgrounds and the ability to convey respect and connect effectively.

• Effective Communication Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques, ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. Uses the language of partnership with patients and families, engaging them in their health and health care. Appropriately and respectfully delegates to other team members.

• Patient Assessment and Care Knowledge of and ability to assess ailments and injuries of patients and implement a treatment plan.

• Patient and Designated Care Partner Education Knowledge of child and adult education techniques and the ability to elicit learning priorities and needs and educate patients and their designated care partners on the patient's condition, the treatment and medications suggested and given, and the next steps in the patient's recovery.

• Medication Administration and Prescription Knowledge of various medications used to treat patients, ability to apply this knowledge to the administration of medications and to the prescription of drugs for continuing treatment outside of the hospital.

• Discharge Planning Knowledge of the patient's post-discharge needs and the ability to partner with the patient and family/designated care partner(s) in developing a discharge plan and arranging for follow-up care.

• Assessment and Diagnosis Knowledge of various tools and techniques for patient assessment and nursing diagnosis or clinical judgement, ability to explore and analyze reasons behind symptoms and generate resolutions according to available drugs, facilities and techniques.

• Health Information Documentation Knowledge of the relevance of health information and appropriate documentation methods, ability to record medical histories, symptoms, vital signs, medications, diagnoses, treatment plans, procedures, tests, and medical results in written or electronic form.

Licenses and Certifications - Required

• BLS & ACLS -- American Heart Association

• RN - Licensed Registered Nurse_PA - State of Pennsylvania

• Completion of Dysthymia Course from American Association of Critical Care Nurse

• ICU & Stepdown experience