RN ICU | Full-time Nights

About the Role

Under the general supervision of the Director of Acute Care Services, this position is responsible for safe, effective, quality patient and family-centered care in the Critical Care setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong critical care knowledge base with emphasis on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
• Seek educational opportunities to refresh and build on knowledge base.
• Demonstrate critical care knowledge relating to all ages and medical/surgical conditions, including:
  • Anticipating and assessing for potential complications.
  • Identifying abnormal findings and determining appropriate nursing intervention.
  • Evaluating patient's response and communicating status and needs to the physician and other appropriate personnel.
• Effectively organize work and prioritize care in a logical sequence based on sound judgment while collaborating with other health team members.
• Continually monitor ICU and Telemetry cardiac rhythms, post rhythm strips, respond to alarms, correctly identify dysrhythmias, and intervene appropriately.
• Anticipate changes in acuity, mobilizing personnel and equipment for immediate potential crisis intervention.
• Perform cardioversion and/or defibrillation and assist with emergent intubation when needed.
• Maintain ACLS certification.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of operation of all equipment utilized in ICU, including:
  • CVP monitoring, CO2 monitoring, temporary pacemakers, external pacemakers, defibrillators, and arterial pressure monitoring.
  • Implement standards for environmental health and safety for both the patient and staff.
• Initiate and titrate a variety of IV drips utilized in the ICU and assess patient response to intervene appropriately.
• Set up and assist with the insertion of A-lines, temporary intravascular pacemakers, and central lines independently or with minimal assistance.
• Work independently, assuming charge of the ICU while maintaining patient safety and managing all aspects of patient care and daily ICU operations.
• Make critical patient care decisions autonomously.
• Work as a team member and contribute to the daily functioning of the unit.
• Serve as a resource for nursing staff, facilitating learning experiences and assisting peers with care and assessment.
• Develop and/or implement an individualized plan of care, including developmental and cultural needs.
• Utilize appropriate resources for non-English speaking patients, healthcare illiterate patients, hearing and sight impaired patients, and caregivers.
• Communicate patient plan of care and education clearly at a level the patient, family, and caregiver can comprehend.
• Proactively recognize and report suspected abuse/neglect, including child abuse, elder abuse, sexual abuse, and spousal abuse, to supervisor and appropriate authorities.
• Ensure quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals, and making recommendations for adjustments as necessary.
• Adhere to infection prevention standards, including consistent hand hygiene and precautions to prevent infection or its spread.
• Hold team members accountable to infection prevention and hand hygiene standards.
• Follow Huggins Hospital's mission, vision, and philosophy of care.
• Participate in quality review, performance improvement, and patient satisfaction initiatives within the department (e.g., hourly rounding, collateral duties, chart audits).
• Adhere to professional standards as outlined by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
• Maintain professionalism by conforming to the Huggins Hospital dress code.
• Pursue professional growth by maintaining education hours for license renewals and participating in hospital committees, clinical council, and professional organizations.
• Maintain BCLS certification in addition to ACLS.
• Participate in the orientation of new employees and mentor less experienced staff members.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment, including organizing, stocking, ordering supplies, and equipment maintenance.
• Review acuity, code cart, and narcotic sheets for completion.
• Demonstrate flexibility in work schedule to cover sick calls, requests, and shortages.
• Adhere to standards and codes of conduct that govern behavior among peers and colleagues to promote cooperation, respect, and trust.

Organizational Expectations

• Attendance: Come to work daily, on time, and complete scheduled shifts.
• HIPAA: Facilitate and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Internal Communication: Contribute to positive team performance and a culture of service excellence through effective communication, active listening, and respect.
• Interpersonal Relationships: Maintain appropriate relationships with staff, patients, and visitors at all times; work as a team member with other departments.
• Safety: Practice workplace safety daily.
• Employee Engagement:
  • Actively participate in all hospital Service Excellence initiatives and trainings.
  • Attend and participate in a minimum of 50% of department staff meetings and review 100% of department staff meeting minutes.
  • Complete all required annual education on or before the due date.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program (BSN preferred).
• One (1) year of Medical Surgical nursing experience; one (1) year of Critical Care experience preferred.
• Current NH RN license, ACLS, and BLS certifications required.

Skills and Abilities

• Minimal physical effort required with occasional light lifting to a maximum of 25 pounds; stooping; and ability to work primarily with fingers (e.g., pick, pinch, type).
• Ability to effectively manage considerable mental stress.
• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and convey information clearly, concisely, and accurately.
• Familiarity with computers and other business machines.