Rapid Response Registered Nurse

Medical University of South Carolina•Orangeburg, SC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

MUSC Orangeburg is looking for experienced Emergency or Critical Care Registered Nurses to join our NEW Rapid Response Team! The Rapid Response RN enhances patient safety by identifying clinical deterioration, performing focused assessments, and responding to Medical Emergencies and Rapid Responses. The role supports bedside teams through collaboration, real-time education, and use of MEWS and high-risk indicators. At MUSC Health - Orangeburg, we are committed to delivering safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care to every patient, every time. The Rapid Response RN plays a vital role in advancing MUSC Health’s mission by proactively identifying clinical deterioration, supporting bedside care teams, and ensuring timely escalation for high-risk patients across our inpatient settings. This clinical expert will prioritize proactive patient rounding and focused assessments, using MEWS scores, prior medical history, admission location, and other high-risk indicators to guide decision-making. In alignment with MUSC Health standards and regulatory requirements, this role evaluates patient care practices to promote quality, safety, and adherence to evidence-based practice. The Rapid Response RN is a key collaborator within the interdisciplinary team, working closely with nursing staff, Patient Care Technicians, Hospitalist Medicine providers, Intensivists, Pulmonologists, and other clinical partners. This position responds to all Medical Emergency and Rapid Response notifications, BAT Alerts, and nurse-driven requests for evaluation. High-risk patients will be assessed each shift, with ongoing coaching and real-time education provided to support staff competency in MEWS scoring, recognition of clinical deterioration, and escalation procedures. This role supports MUSC Health’s culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement by monitoring and processing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), identifying trends, and contributing to performance-improvement initiatives. The care team member will assist with unit staffing when needed, cross-train in the Nursing Supervisor role, and serve in that capacity as appropriate. Note: If the Rapid Response Team initiative is no longer sustainable, the care team member will transition into existing clinical vacancies to support organizational needs. Schedule: Full-Time; 36 hours per week; three 12-hour shifts; rotating weekends.

Requirements

Previous Critical Care or Emergency Department RN experience required.
Must demonstrate the ability to practice effectively in high-stress, fast-paced environments.
Associate Degree in Nursing required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred. If ADN, BSN required within two years of hire.
Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Active South Carolina RN license required.
Current BLS and ACLS certifications are required.
Must obtain PALS, TNCC, ENPC & Safety Care certifications following hire, as part the clinical competency expectations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.

Responsibilities

Identifying clinical deterioration
Performing focused assessments
Responding to Medical Emergencies and Rapid Responses
Supporting bedside teams through collaboration
Real-time education
Use of MEWS and high-risk indicators
Proactively identifying clinical deterioration
Supporting bedside care teams
Ensuring timely escalation for high-risk patients across our inpatient settings
Prioritizing proactive patient rounding and focused assessments
Evaluating patient care practices to promote quality, safety, and adherence to evidence-based practice
Working closely with nursing staff, Patient Care Technicians, Hospitalist Medicine providers, Intensivists, Pulmonologists, and other clinical partners
Responding to all Medical Emergency and Rapid Response notifications, BAT Alerts, and nurse-driven requests for evaluation
Assessing high-risk patients each shift
Providing ongoing coaching and real-time education to support staff competency in MEWS scoring, recognition of clinical deterioration, and escalation procedures
Monitoring and processing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), identifying trends, and contributing to performance-improvement initiatives
Assisting with unit staffing when needed
Cross-training in the Nursing Supervisor role, and serve in that capacity as appropriate