Registered Nurse (RN) - NICU (0.9 Variable/Rotating)

Mercy Cedar Rapids•Baltimore, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by being a competent, respectful, and compassionate professional who is able to safely, appropriately, accurately, efficiently and independently follow Mercy's standards along with policies and procedures while caring for patients. The Registered Staff Nurse works with the unit specific team members to identify clinical problems, develop a plan, and educate patients and families. This role is for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and involves demonstrating appropriate care and knowledge of the ill newborn, including assessment and interventions for newborn resuscitation, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, starting IV's, UAC's, ABG's, fluid replacement, TPN, skincare, developmental care, medications, NG feedings, NICU admissions, parent support and teaching. The nurse will also attend deliveries in the Birthplace and OB OR and assist the newborn in transition to extra-uterine life using NRP guidelines. Cross-training to the mother-baby and Pediatric units is also required. Specific duties include postpartum care, breastfeeding support, and general newborn care.

Requirements

Sound background in basic nursing principles and procedures.
Demonstrates competency in unit specific skills.
Demonstrates ability to provide safe and effective basic nursing care.
Role Models exemplary customer service skills including verbal and non-verbal skills and proper phone etiquette.
Creates a welcoming environment for all healthcare team members.
Committed to ongoing self-development and learning.
Current license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Iowa or compact state.
Current certification in Basic Life Support, in accordance with the American Heart Association.
Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse/Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification within 4 months of hire/transfer (for NICU).

Nice To Haves

Previous RN experience in an acute care setting.
Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing.

Responsibilities

Ensures that accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families, and co-workers at hand offs and other times as needed.
Take all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information in order to allow for the best possible patient outcome.
Demonstrates competent assessment, planning, intervention, coordination and evaluation skills based on the individual patient plan of care.
Continually assesses patient and family needs in order to provide quality care based on a patient centered care model.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills and judgment necessary to implement a patient plan of care, nursing interventions and procedures.
Maintains accurate and real time documentation of nursing care provided to ensure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team, according to hospital policy and procedure related to documentation parameters.
Functions as a role model for current and new staff by creating a healthy work environment to facilitate the department's or unit's ability to meet identified goals and objectives.
Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitor and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.
Directs other licensed and non-licensed personnel in the provision of care to patients as assigned.
Demonstrate effective and age-appropriate communication as well as the ability to understand the needs of the patient including non-verbal communication, fears, anxieties and language/cultural barriers.
Responds within scope of practice to emergencies and life-threatening conditions.
Adheres to and promotes patient safety practices throughout the patient experience.
Communicates and collaborates effectively with all members of the healthcare team.
Provides ongoing education to patients and families.
Delegates to other staff registered nurse, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians, unit secretaries, and other staff positions specific to the department.
Remains current on Evidence-based practice as well as appropriate Protocols and Procedures.
Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.
Demonstrates appropriate care and knowledge of the ill newborn including assessment and interventions for newborn resuscitation, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, starting IV's, UAC's, ABG's, fluid replacement, TPN, skincare, developmental care, medications, NG feedings, NICU admissions, parent support and teaching.
Attends deliveries in the Birthplace and OB OR and assists the newborn in transition to extra-uterine life using NRP guidelines.
Cross-trained to the mother-baby and Pediatric units.
Demonstrates appropriate care and knowledge including assessment of and interventions for pain, fundus, lochial flow, perineum, incision, vital signs, blood loss, teaching needs, bonding and psychosocial situations (Postpartum Care).
Demonstrates appropriate care and knowledge including assessment of and interventions for latch, adequate feedings, sore nipples and feeding cues (Breastfeeding Support).
Demonstrates appropriate care and knowledge which includes assessment and interventions for pain, gestational age, near-term infants, jaundice, temp instability, respiratory status, hypoglycemia, newborn screen, hearing screens, Hugs, signs and symptoms of sepsis and abnormalities (Newborn Care).