RN - 6SE - Pulmonary Unit

About the Unit

Our Pulmonary Unit is a 36-bed telemetry unit focused on diagnosing and treating patients with a wide range of respiratory disorders. Nurses in this unit maintain a 1:6 patient ratio and are dedicated to delivering high-quality, specialized care for patients and families facing lung diseases or injuries. The unit values collaborative relationships with departments such as respiratory therapy, physical therapy, care management, and pharmacy. This specialty requires a foundation in general medicine alongside expertise in respiratory skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess each assigned patient’s condition on admission and on an ongoing basis, including physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural needs, pain management, nutritional and functional status, developmental or age-related factors, and discharge planning.
• Plan, provide, and document patient and/or significant other education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, addressing barriers to learning.
• Evaluate and regularly reevaluate patient care; coordinate care planning with patients, families, providers, and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
• Assign and delegate nursing care to team members according to patient needs and team capabilities.
• Apply safety principles while performing care.
• Accurately document observations, care provided, and changes in the care plan.
• Provide accurate handoff reports and participate in unit-based huddles.
• Assist in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams, supporting PI measures, and implementing necessary changes for improvement.
• Perform initial and annual competency assessments per job class.
• Supervise LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, US, Ortho Techs, and other non-licensed staff.

DCH Standards

• Maintain performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Adhere to compliance requirements outlined in the Employee Handbook and DCH Behavioral Standards, fostering positive relationships with patients, families, coworkers, and colleagues.
• Perform essential job functions safely for patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identify and reduce unsafe practices to minimize risks and hazards.
• Recognize and act to mitigate risks, promoting safety for patients, visitors, and employees.
• Utilize electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and the intranet.
• Adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.

Requirements

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

Working Conditions

• Demonstrate leadership skills and decision-making that affects others.
• Responsible for achieving outcomes and communicating clearly and accurately.
• Ability to delegate tasks to team members and students, and receive delegation.
• Address conflict and stressful situations, and engage in face-to-face discussions with diverse personalities.
• Handle unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive individuals.
• Use electronic mail, telephone, and texting for communication.
• Work in groups and perform structured and unstructured tasks.
• Meet time pressures and deadlines.
• Possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals, hazardous materials, and cleaning solutions.
• Wear common protective and safety equipment (e.g., gloves, safety glasses, masks, gowns).

Physical Requirements

• Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
• Tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Reach reasonable distances in any direction.
• Stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, and stoop.
• Run in emergencies.
• Exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, and carry objects.
• Coordinate finger movements and perceive temperature, texture, shape, and size with fingertips.
• Perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Possess stamina to work prolonged shifts.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.

Schedule

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