Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgical Trauma ICU - Rotating

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Trauma ICU Unit is a state-of-the-art 28-bed unit located on the 9th floor of the Critical Care Hospital, part of the VCU Medical Center, which is the only comprehensive Level I adult, pediatric and burn trauma center in the region. STICU provides comprehensive, innovative care to a diverse population of severely injured and critically ill surgical patients, including continuous renal replacement therapy, advanced modes of ventilation, massive transfusion protocol, extensive wound care, and post-surgical resuscitation and care. The unit has two primary intensivist-led services: trauma ICU, a closed service staffed by trauma/critical care surgeons and intensivists, and surgical ICU, which is co-managed by intensivists and attending physicians. Physicians represent a breadth of fields including acute general, burn, minimally invasive, colorectal, orthopaedic, plastic and oncology surgeries, as well as obstetrics and gynecology and otolaryngology. Multidisciplinary teams of nurses, clinical nurse specialists, clinical pharmacists, dieticians, respiratory therapists, family-centered care liaisons, chaplains, nurse practitioners, social workers, critical care fellows, surgical residents and attending physicians collaborate to provide care. In 2008, the STICU received the Beacon Award for critical care excellence. The job description outlines three clinical nurse levels (Clinical Nurse I, II, and III), each with increasing levels of clinical mastery, leadership, and responsibility in patient care, education, and intervention. All roles involve integrating technical skills and theoretical knowledge, assisting the healthcare team, preventing illness and injury, maintaining wellness, providing comfort, delivering and documenting age-specific care, and safely administering medications.

Requirements

Current RN licensure in Virginia or eligible or compact state.
Current RN licensure in Virginia (for continued employment).
AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent (for continued employment).
Clin II: 12 to 24 months RN experience.
Clin III: 3 years of clinical experience.
Diploma or Associates Degree from a professional nursing program recognized and/or approved by the corresponding state’s Board of Nursing.
All registered nurses without a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (or higher) will be required to enroll in an approved RN to BSN program within two years of their start date and to complete the program within five years of their start date unless grandfathered under previous requirements.

Nice To Haves

Clin I: Experience as an LPN, nursing assistant or care partner in either an acute care setting or as applicable to area of practice.
Clin II, Clin III: Academic Health Care Experience.
Clin II, Clin III: Experience with similar patient population in either an acute care setting or as applicable to area of practice.
Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher) from an accredited program.
Clin III: Certification in specialty area.

Responsibilities

Integrates technical skills and theoretical knowledge to meet the needs of the patient and family.
Assists the health care team with the prevention of illness and injury, maintenance of wellness, and provision of comfort.
Provides direction, education, and begins to acquire leadership skills at the unit level (Clin I).
Delivers and accurately documents direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and an integrated, multidisciplinary plan of care.
Safely administers prescribed medications, identifying incompatibilities and/or interactions.
Demonstrates a mastery of clinical skills and begins to apply this knowledge to a specific patient population (Clin II).
Recognizes changes in patient situations and intervenes appropriately (Clin II).
Mobilizes resources to meet the individualized needs of patient/families (Clin II).
Provides direction, education, and assumes leadership responsibilities at the unit level (Clin II).
Demonstrates clinical knowledge at the unit level and begins to apply this knowledge to a specific patient population (Clin III).
Anticipates changes in patient situations and intervenes appropriately (Clin III).
Provides direction, education, and serves as a role model in a clinical setting (Clin III).
Follows documented physician/licensed independent provider orders.
Practices within the boundaries of the regulations governing the practice of nursing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Practice is guided by the ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing and established national nursing practice standards.
All practice is guided by and follows the VCUHS policies and procedures and established practice.
Organizes work and delegates and supervises others (RN's, LPN's, Care Partners, Unit Secretaries, etc.) in carrying out assignments.