Registered Nurse, Critical Care, Cardiac

Ellis Medicine•Schenectady, NY

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Critical Care Cardiac Surgery Nurse is proficient in the recovery of post-operative cardiac surgery patients, including post-operative CABG and valve replacement/repair procedures. The Critical Care Cardiac Surgery Nurse has experience with the use of intra-aortic balloon pumps and with ventricular assist devices such as Impella, Tandem Hearts, and ECMO. BASIC FUNCTION: The Registered Professional Nurse cares for patients by diagnosing and treating their responses to actual or potential health problems in the acute care setting through implementation of the nursing process. Coordinates care of other disciplines, delegates tasks to other nursing personnel, supervises care, provides direct patient care and evaluates outcomes. Maintains competence in clinical practice and assists in the development of nursing practice standards through participation in professional committees and organizations.

Requirements

Graduate of accredited RN program.
Current licensure in NYS or eligibility for limited permit to practice.
Minimum 6 months experience in critical care OR 1 year experience hospital nurse experience required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors’ degree preferred.
Cardiac background preferred.
Experience with the use of intra-aortic balloon pumps.
Experience with ventricular assist devices such as Impella, Tandem Hearts, and ECMO.

Responsibilities

Complete a patient assessment using subjective and objective data sources.
Evaluate patient independence in ADL’s.
Identify the patient's condition, functional status, and risk factors, i.e.: risk for falls, skin breakdown.
Identify the physiological, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients.
Evaluate assessment data and establish nursing diagnoses.
Demonstrate the ability to assess patients based upon the age of the patient (specific to unit/department scope of service).
Prioritize patient needs and select diagnoses which can reasonably be addressed in the acute care episode.
Identify patient problems for referral to post-hospitalization community agencies.
Provide documentation for the verification of an ongoing assessment of the patient.
Develop a PCP based on patient assessment.
Develop a plan of care based on nursing assessment, input from other disciplines and involvement of the patient and/or family.
Use nursing practice standards and protocols.
Establish realistic measurable outcomes/goals.
Establish timeframes for goal achievement.
Identify nursing interventions to meet goals.
Individualize interventions according to the patient's condition and age.
Deliver patient care as outlined in the PCP.
Deliver nursing care based on the care plan, patient response to interventions, and input from other members of the healthcare team.
Deliver nursing care in accordance with accepted standards of nursing practice.
Appropriately assign patient care tasks to non-RN staff members.
Observe, and evaluate care given by other nursing staff members.
Communicate observations through established channels.
Ensure documentation is complete, reflects use of the nursing process, and is accessed by other members of the healthcare team.
Evaluate patient care.
Assess and document the response of the patient/family to interventions.
Assess the level and timeliness of outcome achievement.
Solicit and utilize input from pertinent members of the healthcare team, including patient/family when evaluating the plan of care.
Modify the plan of care as required to meet patient needs/outcomes.
Effectively communicate the patient's plan of care to all members of the health care team.
Maintain communication through timely documentation in the medical record.
Communicate with physicians and other health providers on changes of patient condition and patient responses to treatment on an ongoing basis.
Determine equipment and supply needs of patients and assign responsibility for delivery and maintenance of these items.
Organize nursing care assignments based upon patient acuity/need and staff education/skill/job description.
Clearly communicate tasks and responsibilities to assigned staff members.
Communicate periodically with assigned staff members to solicit patient care needs and responses to intervention.
Collaborate effectively with nursing management, colleagues, other personnel, patient, and family members to coordinate and improve care delivery.
Provide patient education and discharge planning.
Assess continuing care needs at time of admission and trigger appropriate consultations.
Collaborate with discharge planners and other disciplines involved to develop, implement, and evaluate the discharge plan.
Assess patient teaching needs as part of the initial and ongoing assessment, set goals and develop teaching plans consistent with the patient’s educational level, learning readiness, and age.
Implement and/or coordinate the teaching plan, evaluate results and adjust the plan as necessary.
Utilize age-appropriate teaching strategies.
Provide a safe environment based upon patient condition and age.
Assess patient risks for harm using the patient’s assets and liabilities.
Plan and implement and/or supervise care delivery based on this assessment.
Use age-appropriate safety measures as indicated.
Monitor own practice and the practice of ancillary staff in the use of equipment, conformity with safety policy and appropriate disposal of hazardous materials.
Administer use of restraints in accordance with hospital policy.
Initiate and maintain CPR until relieved by the Code Blue Team.
Initiate Emergency Management Protocols in accordance with hospital policy.
Ensure emergency equipment maintained/checked per hospital policy.
Assume responsibility for education and self-development.
Demonstrate the ability to assess, treat, and/or care for patients based on the age of the patient (for populations defined in assigned unit's scope of service).
Maintain competency in nursing practice, maintain current knowledge of advances in the profession, and complete the required mandatory in-services.
Collaborate with nurse manager and CNS/Nurse Educator to identify learning needs and strategies to meet these needs on an ongoing basis.
Attend continuing education programs pertinent to maintenance and development of nursing expertise related to the area of chosen practice and keep record of own education program attendance.
Participate in nursing performance improvement activities and interdisciplinary research and study activities as requested.
Demonstrate knowledge of lifespan development, ranges of treatment, and the ability to obtain and interpret information regarding patient age-specific needs.
Function within the standard of practice, policy, procedures, and guidelines of the nursing department.
Participate in effort to continuously improve unit operations.
Recognize job relationship and function effectively within the organizational structure.
Adhere to the policies and procedures as outlined in the Exposure Control Manual regarding: Standard Precautions Bloodborne Pathogen Disposal of Needles, Syringes and Sharps Cleanup Procedures for blood and body fluid spills Storage, Handling and Disposal of Medical Waste.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the policies and procedures outlined in the Exposure Control Plan.
Practice safe work techniques and utilize proper engineering controls to minimize the risk of Bloodborne pathogen exposure.
Utilize appropriate Personal Protective Equipment when performing a task or responsibility associated with this position, which represents a potential occupational risk of exposure to Bloodborne pathogens.
Appropriate PPEs shall include but not be limited to gloves, gown, goggles, laboratory coat, face shields or masks.
Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate level of personal protective equipment to be used in relation to the specific tasks and responsibilities.
Ensure continuing education records will be completed and forwarded to Human Resources annually regarding mandatory educational requirements.
Complete annual health assessment form as required, maintain current inoculations.
Ensure the current license as required by N.Y. State will be forwarded to Human Resources upon renewal or issuance.