PCU RN-Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse

About the Role

MercyOne Clinton Medical Center is seeking a Registered Nurse to provide and direct safe, effective, and culturally competent care for patients with acute medical and surgical conditions. Through evidence-based practice, the RN utilizes critical thinking to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate outcome-based care. The Acute Care RN manages a diverse patient population with varying levels of acuity, including post-operative, medical, telemetry, and neurologic patients. This role supervises and coordinates care provided by LPNs, Patient Care Assistants, and other nursing team members, and facilitates communication with physicians, patients and families, and interdisciplinary team members.

Essential Functions

• Conducts an initial assessment to gather data; makes an initial assessment of new admissions within 30 minutes of arrival; completes all areas of the admission assessment database within 24 hours
• Identifies patient problems and develops them into an outcome/goal-based plan of care; initiates the patient problem list and incorporates relevant medical history; analyzes assessment data to identify desired outcomes/goals; determines nursing interventions to achieve outcomes; prioritizes patient care needs and activities; identifies and makes appropriate referrals and education needs
• Collaborates with other health care disciplines to plan interventions and patient outcomes/goals
• Implements the outcome/goal-based plan of care; assigns and coordinates patient care incorporating patient acuity and team member skills; organizes and prioritizes care within the team; delegates tasks appropriately; implements procedures, treatments, physician orders, nursing orders, education plan and medications
• Coordinates implementation of plan of care with Case Manager, Social Worker and other health care disciplines; assists to decrease length of stay by helping patient and family identify and secure appropriate services for discharge needs
• Uses nursing judgment to determine appropriate frequency and components of reassessment; reassesses at regular intervals to determine patient response(s) to interventions (minimum RN reassessment every 24 hours); focuses ongoing reassessment on actual and potential problems/needs including education and discharge needs; participates in developing discharge plan; documents discharge instructions
• Evaluates patient progress and revises the outcome/goal-based plan as needed; evaluates patient response(s) to interventions; reviews/modifies/revises plan based on ongoing reassessments; updates problem list and outcomes/goals
• Communicates relevant clinical information to physicians regarding patient condition; reports progress toward outcomes/goals and changes in condition to other health team members; maintains ongoing communication with interdisciplinary team members throughout shift, at shift change, and transfer of care; communicates with other team leaders and members throughout shift to reassess and prioritize unit needs
• Documents completely, comprehensively and legibly in accordance with policy
• Demonstrates clinical competence; utilizes Patient Care Policies and Procedures as references; assures medication safety by following the "5 Rights" of medication administration; prioritizes and implements intervention according to patient assessment; demonstrates competency in computer systems and applications required for role; receives, transcribes, processes and implements physician orders per policy including dating, timing and verifying accuracy
• Maintains communication with the manager/house supervisor and staffing office regarding admissions, unit needs, acuity numbers and significant events; completes assigned shift duties and assures resolution of discrepancies
• Manages telemetry and cardiac monitoring when applicable; demonstrates clinical competency and technical knowledge in cardiac rhythm interpretation and telemetry monitoring; recognizes and responds appropriately to cardiac arrhythmias and other changes in patient condition; manages multiple patients requiring continuous cardiac monitoring; provides appropriate interventions for cardiac events or rhythm changes
• Assists with data collection and quality improvement initiatives as required; serves as a resource to other hospital services (nursing, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, respiratory, etc.); participates in unit-based committees and provides education to nursing staff as requested
• Provides care appropriate to the age-related needs of patients served; collects, analyzes, interprets and applies age-specific data; performs tasks/procedures and uses equipment in an age-appropriate manner; communicates and works with others in an age-appropriate manner
• Adheres to all safety, infection control and colleague health policies and procedures; attends required safety programs; appropriately uses required personal protective equipment; demonstrates departmental emergency procedures for fire, disaster and other emergency situations; reports and removes unsafe equipment; asks for assistance when needed to assure safety; maintains safe working environment and practices safe working habits
• Maintains working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, Trinity Health's Organizational Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, and other policies and procedures to ensure adherence in a manner reflecting honest, ethical, and professional behavior

Schedule

• .9 FTE, 36 hours per week
• Night shift 7:00 pm – 7:00 am
• Every third weekend
• Rotating holidays

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in nursing required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
• Current Iowa RN license
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required only if the unit has telemetry monitoring capabilities
• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire
• High language, intermediate to high math, high critical thinking ability
• Basic computer skills required

Benefits

Colleagues of MercyOne Health System enjoy competitive compensation with a full benefits package and opportunity for growth throughout the system. Visit MercyOne Careers to learn more about the benefits, culture, and career development opportunities available.