Registered Nurse RN- PCU Cardiac Step Down

MyMichigan Health•Saginaw, MI

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides direct care to patients using the nursing process, including ongoing assessment of each patient's overall needs. The RN provides interventions to treat presenting symptoms, evaluates the effects of those interventions and patients’ responses, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to establish patient goals and outcomes. The RN serves as a team leader, team member, and resource to others, delegating and overseeing support staff. The role is responsible for meeting the needs of varied patient populations in a cardiac step-down/PCU setting. The RN provides skilled nursing care in accordance with physician-authorized plans, evidence-based nursing standards, and applicable regulations and hospital policies. Duties include patient assessment, medication administration, treatments, education, monitoring, documentation, and participation in care-plan review. The RN also performs a range of procedures and provides care for lines, tubes, drains, wounds, and other equipment as ordered and in accordance with policy. The position requires an associate degree in nursing; a bachelor's degree is preferred. Required credentials include an RN license, ACLS, BLS, and dysrhythmia/telemetry competency within the stated timeframes. Essential of Critical Care Orientation and specialty certification are preferred.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing; a bachelor's degree is preferred.
Current Registered Nurse credential/license; the posting identifies Michigan as the qualification source.
ACLS certification within 12 months of hire or transfer.
BLS certification from the American Heart Association within 1 month of hire or transfer.
Dysrhythmia interpretation credential or telemetry competency demonstrated by testing or completion of a telemetry monitoring and management class with a passing score within 12 months of hire.
Interpersonal skills to communicate clearly and successfully with individuals and groups at all levels.
Knowledge, ability, and competence in treating unit-specific patient populations.
Follow required bloodborne pathogen and TB testing requirements.
Demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows and participate in further learning opportunities as required.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently, interact effectively with others, maintain regular and predictable attendance, and stay awake.
Ability to move freely about the facility, with or without an assistive device, and perform the job functions described.
Overall vision and hearing, with or without assistive devices, and dexterity for handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands: occasionally lift or carry 21–50 pounds; frequently handle 20 pounds and/or walk, stand, push, pull, or operate arm/leg controls; and constantly handle 10 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Essential of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO) course.
Bachelor's degree in nursing.
Specialty certification.

Responsibilities

Regularly assess patients’ needs and provide skilled nursing services as prescribed by the physician-authorized plan of care and accepted evidence-based nursing practice.
Provide direct patient care, including medication administration, treatments, patient education, responding to call lights and alarms, and assisting with transfers.
Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment plans and collaborate with team members on suggestions or revisions to improve patient care.
Follow local, state, and federal regulations, guidelines, and hospital policies and procedures related to patient care.
Demonstrate the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and interact courteously and professionally with patients, visitors, and coworkers.
Interpret clinical information and report pertinent data, significant changes, and abnormal findings to physicians and appropriate team members in a timely manner.
Educate patients and families according to assessed learning needs, readiness, ability, preferences, and cultural or spiritual considerations.
Organize and prioritize care for individuals and groups of patients; manage assignments and routine unit duties; and instruct team members when appropriate.
Use clinical pathways appropriately and document accurately, clearly, and concisely, including pertinent clinical data.
Participate in regulatory surveys and performance-improvement activities, and assist with orientation and ongoing competencies.
Help maintain a safe and secure patient-care environment and understand the RN's role in emergency preparedness.
Maintain knowledge of current trends and professional standards within the specialty.
Set up and assist with central-line and chest-tube insertion and provide care for these devices according to policy and procedure.
Insert and care for cantor, nasogastric, and feeding tubes as ordered; insert and care for IVs; and provide routine care and instruction for suprapubic catheters and surgical drains as ordered.
Remove sutures and skin clips; provide routine ostomy care; irrigate and pack wounds; and care for or remove drains as ordered and according to procedure and the care plan.
Obtain accurate CVP readings as ordered and according to procedure; set up, instruct, and monitor PCA use; obtain Doppler pulses; provide gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube care; and assist with heparin therapy protocols.
Apply basic traction, splints, braces, and CPM machines as ordered and according to procedure; trim casts and remove wound drains as ordered; and maintain and teach total hip and total knee precautions.