RN - 5N - Cardiac/Neuro Medical and Acute Stroke Unit

About the Unit

Our Cardiac/Neuro Medical and Acute Stroke Unit is a 42-bed unit dedicated to patients diagnosed with both neurological and cardiac conditions, such as congestive heart failure or acute stroke. This unit is staffed with a 1:6 nurse-to-patient ratio and a team of highly skilled nurses trained to manage these specific diagnoses. The team takes pride in being experts at managing complex neuro-cardiac conditions with precision and compassion, working alongside cardiologists and neurologists to maintain the best practice standards of care for this patient population.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and directs quality, compassionate care by maintaining standards of professional nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Supervises LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, US, Ortho Techs, and other non-licensed staff.
• Assesses each assigned patient’s condition on admission and on an ongoing basis, including but not limited to physical condition, psychological status, social status, spiritual and cultural needs, pain assessment/management, nutritional and functional status, developmental or age-related factors, and discharge planning needs.
• Plans, provides, and documents patient and/or significant other education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.
• Evaluates and regularly reevaluates patient care; coordinates care planning with patient, family, providers, and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
• Assigns and delegates nursing care to team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the capabilities of the team members.
• Applies safety principles when performing care.
• Accurately documents observations, care provided, and changes in care plan.
• Provides accurate handoff reports and participates in unit-based huddles.
• Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures, and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.
• Performs initial and annual competency per job class.
• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Adheres to DCH Behavioral Standards, including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues, and self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors, and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors, and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Current approved Alabama Board of Nursing RN license or multi-state license required or ability to obtain prior to start.
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required.
• BSN preferred; minimum Associate’s degree required.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
• Additional certifications required within 6 months of start date (varies by unit):
  • American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted Cardiac/Critical Care ACLS (Emergency Department – both campuses, Perioperative, Clinical Support Cardiac Monitoring Unit, Dialysis)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) (Emergency Department – Regional Campus only, Pediatrics)
  • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) (Perioperative)
  • Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) (Women’s/Children NICU, Labor & Delivery, Mother Baby Unit)
  • Intermediate Fetal Monitoring (Labor & Delivery)

Working Conditions

• Demonstrates leadership skills and requires decision-making that affects others.
• Responsible for achieving outcomes and must communicate clearly and accurately.
• Ability to delegate to team members and students and receive delegation.
• Addresses conflict and stressful situations, including dealing with unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive personalities.
• Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone, and texting.
• Must be able to work in groups and perform structured and unstructured work.
• Must meet time pressure and deadlines.
• Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals, and hazardous materials/cleaning solutions.
• Requires wearing common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, masks, and gowns.

Schedule

Schedules vary; every other weekend required. Weekends include Saturday and Sunday.

Physical Requirements

• Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction, stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, and stoop.
• Must be able to run in an emergency.
• Must have the ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, and carry objects.
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner and perceive temperature, texture, shape, and size with fingertips.
• Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must possess stamina to work prolonged shifts.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.