RN II Stroke Neurosurgery

FLSA status: Non‑exempt; Night shift in an Acute Care Unit.

About the Role

The Registered Nurse (RN) II at Houston Methodist Hospital provides professional nursing care to a diverse patient population, conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment, delivers patient education, and maintains medical records. The RN II delivers direct patient care efficiently, collaborates with physicians and the interprofessional health‑care team, and acts as a patient and family advocate. Leadership responsibilities may include charge‑nurse duties, precepting students or new employees, and participation in unit or hospital‑wide initiatives.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s).
• At least twelve months of registered nurse experience in a health‑care environment.
• RN – Texas State Licensure (Texas Board of Nursing) – Compact licensure; must obtain a permanent Texas license within 60 days if establishing residency.
• BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (American Heart Association).
• NIH Stroke – National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification (American Heart Association) within 4 months of hire.
• Preferred: Magnet – ANCC recognized certification.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated clinical competence in medication administration, procedures, technology use, and emergency management.
• Proficient oral, written, and reading skills in English, especially regarding patient and employee safety.
• Effective communication with patients, families, physicians, and co‑workers, applying a customer‑service focus and positive language.
• Strong assessment, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities; capable of prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Independent judgment and critical‑thinking skills consistent with the Nurse Practice Act.
• Time‑management proficiency and adherence to the Clinical Career Path program guide.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Use therapeutic communication and active listening to establish relationships with patients, families, and the health‑care team.
• Contribute to teamwork by monitoring unit acuity, offering assistance, and responding positively to requests.
• Collaborate to foster healthy workplace relationships and provide/receive guidance within the interprofessional team.
• Implement staff education, coach and mentor other staff and students, and serve as a preceptor when needed.
• Apply peer‑to‑peer accountability to improve turnover, retention, employee engagement, and departmental scorecards.
• Conduct nursing assessments, assist with exams and treatments, and maintain accurate medical records.
• Develop, update, and communicate individualized plans of care, including discharge planning, in partnership with patients, families, and the care team.
• Prioritize care based on patient needs, abilities, and preferences; advocate for patients/families on clinical and ethical issues.
• Provide patient teaching tailored to learning needs, evaluate comprehension, and adjust teaching methods as required.
• Drive improvements in patient‑satisfaction scores through adherence to service standards.
• Follow the nursing process and regulatory standards outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice documents.
• Identify practice‑improvement opportunities using research‑based evidence to achieve core measures and patient‑safety outcomes.
• Document care accurately and modify care plans for complex patients in coordination with the interprofessional team.
• Utilize clinical judgment with an evidence‑based analytical approach.
• Contribute to unit financial performance by managing time effectively, minimizing overtime, and supporting resource‑utilization initiatives.
• Identify and propose innovations, efficiency gains, and practice changes; participate in shared‑governance and performance‑improvement projects.
• Champion new care pathways or service‑line implementations to enhance community service.

Supplemental Requirements

• Uniform: None required; scrubs are permitted.
• On‑call: May be required during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events).
• Travel: May require travel within the Houston metropolitan area; travel outside the area is not required.