Registered Nurse (2026-0897)

Location: Renton, WA (VMC Main Campus) | Department: Joint & Spine Center – Orthopedics | Shift: Nights | Type: Full‑time | FTE: 0.9

Job Overview

The staff Registered Nurse is a licensed professional who assumes responsibility and accountability for a group of patients during a designated time frame. The RN provides safe, quality care utilizing the nursing process as the basis for clinical practice.

Responsibilities

• Assess, guide, direct, and facilitate workflow on the unit.
• Recognize when the charge nurse should assume a patient assignment and assume that role as needed.
• Make staff assignments that reflect patient acuity, continuity of care, staff competency, and admission/discharge activity.
• Mentor staff, float, and agency personnel regarding unit, department, and hospital policies, procedures, standards, and annual goals.
• Integrate new and agency staff into the unit culture.
• Function as a leader and role model for clinical staff.
• Act as a clinical resource to unit staff.
• Demonstrate safe use of patient‑care equipment and teach others to use equipment safely.
• Serve as a resource for other care teams as necessary.
• Monitor and evaluate nursing care for each patient through direct observation, consultation, and patient rounds.
• Assess unit/environmental safety during rounds and report/correct deficiencies.
• Maintain awareness of Joint Commission standards, state codes, and practice acts.
• Routinely monitor documentation, ensure compliance with standards, and facilitate rapid turnaround cycles.
• Demonstrate excellent customer‑service skills; respond to patient and family concerns/complaints.
• Report significant events (patient, staff, physician, visitor) to supervisors and activate the chain of command per policy.
• Provide input into performance appraisals of clinical staff on the assigned shift.
• Evaluate and provide adequate coverage for breaks.
• Maintain fiscal responsibility by monitoring and adjusting staffing during the shift and determining staffing needs for the next shift.
• Accept personal responsibility to maintain competencies for direct patient care and team leadership.
• Communicate and collaborate with bed‑placement and clinical resources to expedite patient placement.

Qualifications

• Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of Washington.
• BSN preferred.
• Successful completion of a graduate nurse residency program orientation **or** at least six months of RN experience.
• Current BLS certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with ability to lead and manage a team, utilize clinical judgment, clinical inquiry, innovation, and systems thinking.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Adherence to the Professional Appearance Policy.
• Compassionate, community‑centered interpersonal skills that meet the needs of diverse and vulnerable populations.
• Ability to work effectively with patients of all age groups.
• Practice within ANA Standards and the Nurse Practice Act.
• Proficiency with electronic health‑record systems, order entry, email, and computer documentation.
• Self‑directed commitment to continuing education and research.

Preferred Qualifications

• BSN (if not already held).
• Two years of clinical nursing and/or leadership experience in the area of responsibility.
• Unit‑specific prerequisites (see addendum), such as:
• ACLS & PALS certification within 3 months of hire.
• Experience in perianesthesia, admit & discharge, or at least one year of med/surg nursing.
• CCU/ED float pool experience with ACLS, PALS, NIHSS, TNCC, ENPC certifications as applicable.
• Critical Care, PACU, or Emergency Services experience (1–2 years preferred).
• Electrophysiology lab or cath lab experience (2 years preferred).
• Endoscopy experience (6 months preferred) or med/surg background.
• General Medicine, Oncology, Labor & Delivery, OR, NICU, or other specialty experience as listed in the addendum.
• Relevant specialty certifications (e.g., OCN, NRP, NIHSS, TNCC, ENPC) obtained within the specified time frames.

Physical Demands

• Safe patient handling per VMC guidelines, including lifting from floor to overhead and carrying items up to 40 lb; ability to participate in team lifting.
• Operation of patient‑lifting equipment and handling devices safely.
• Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, crouching, and squatting.
• Standing and walking for extended periods while providing patient care, moving supplies, performing hourly rounding, and conducting bedside shift reports.
• Full‑body range of motion, manual and finger dexterity, and eye‑hand coordination.
• Corrected vision and hearing within normal range; ability to distinguish colors.

Pay

Salary range: $48.82 – $89.19 per hour, depending on experience (DOE).

Schedule

Night shift, full‑time position with a 0.9 FTE schedule.