Registered Nurse Tier 1 (Union) ICU

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.•Whitesburg, KY

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides nursing care in the ICU using specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skills grounded in psychological, biological, physical, and social sciences. The RN collaborates with physicians and multidisciplinary team members, supports patients and their families physically and psychologically, and supervises assigned team members and students. The role includes assessing patients, developing and overseeing plans of care, administering prescribed medications and treatments, performing critical-care procedures, and operating and interpreting critical-care and cardiac monitoring equipment. The RN provides patient and family education, advocates for patients, supports discharge planning and transitions of care, documents findings, and helps maintain a safe environment. The nurse also mentors students and new staff as assigned, contributes to teams and improvement initiatives, and maintains professional conduct and confidentiality. Prior to working as the sole RN provider on the unit, the nurse must complete a critical-care course acceptable to the Community Chief Nursing Officer and demonstrate mastery of required equipment, diagnostic responsibilities, and procedures. The nurse must also be oriented to unit policies, procedures, and equipment, including safety, infection control, and performance improvement practices.

Requirements

Associate's degree and graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
Minimum of one year of acute-care nursing experience.
One year of experience relevant to the specific department in which the nurse will work.
Registered Nurse license/certification required.
Advanced Dysrhythmia/EKG certification required.
NIH Stroke Certification required.
BLS required.
Advanced Life Support Certification required.
De-Escalation Training required within six months of hire.
Ability to operate critical-care equipment, including respirators, temporary pacemakers, defibrillators, and emergency equipment.
Ability to set up and maintain cardiac and hemodynamic monitors, interpret results, and respond appropriately.
Ability to perform the specified critical-care procedures.
Ability to manage specialty drips using approved protocols.
Before serving as the sole RN provider on the unit, successful completion of a critical-care course acceptable to the Community Chief Nursing Officer and demonstrated mastery of required equipment, diagnostic responsibilities, and procedures.
Critical-care coursework must include CPR and management of an obstructed airway, EKG interpretation, drug therapy including emergency IV drug therapy or routes normally left to physicians, hemodynamic monitoring, and critical-care procedures.
Adequate orientation to unit policies, procedures, and equipment, including safety procedures, infection control practices, and performance-improvement activities.
Completion of competencies in moderate sedation, stroke modules, and restraints.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
Electronic Health Record experience.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification.
Up to one year of experience is listed as preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess patients, formulate plans of care, oversee their implementation, and evaluate and adjust plans using critical-thinking skills.
Perform nursing acts authorized or limited by the board and consistent with applicable nursing standards of practice.
Provide care, counseling, health teaching, and promotion, using the Teach Back methodology to confirm comprehension.
Administer medications, intravenous therapy, and treatments as prescribed by a licensed independent practitioner (LIP).
Supervise, delegate, and follow through with other personnel performing activities related to nursing care.
Mentor and precept students and orient new staff as assigned.
Report pertinent information through the chain of command to the Clinical Nurse Manager, Nurse Manager, or House Nurse Coordinator.
Participate in teams, committees, and performance-improvement initiatives.
Help ensure a safe and secure environment for patients, coworkers, and self.
Participate in discharge planning and transitions of care, identifying patient needs.
Advocate for patients and promptly escalate patient-related concerns.
Document pertinent findings in the medical record in a timely manner.
Assist patients with activities of daily living and function as an active team member.
Assume responsibility for personal professional development.
Use effective communication and active listening, and demonstrate compassion and empathy.
Use SBAR for handoff communication and bedside shift reporting unless contraindicated.
Serve as a positive influence and role model and adhere to the professional code of conduct.
Respect patient dignity and confidentiality.
Perform other assigned duties and refer to the Special Addendum and Staff Nurse Position Description.
Operate critical-care equipment, including respirators, temporary pacemakers, defibrillators, and other emergency equipment.
Set up and maintain cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring, interpret results, and take action as indicated by nursing practice and hospital procedures.
Perform special procedures, including endotracheal and tracheostomy suctioning, tracheostomy care, extubation, CPR, arterial punctures, chest-tube and Pleurevac care, and setup and assistance with peritoneal dialysis, paracentesis, and thoracentesis.
Manage specialty drips using approved protocols.
Complete required critical-care coursework and demonstrate mastery before assignment as the unit's sole RN provider.
Complete required competencies in moderate sedation, stroke modules, and restraints.