Registered Nurse - Telemetry/Observation

WellSpan Health•Chambersburg, PA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse works in a 30-bed Telemetry/Observation unit specializing in cardiac, medical, and surgical patients. The nurse implements, directs, and coordinates patient care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation, including recognition and treatment of physical and psychosocial changes relevant to the age and population served. The position offers an individualized comprehensive orientation, a residency program for new graduates, mentorship after orientation, and professional growth through a Clinical Ladder. Basic Rhythm, ACLS, and NIHSS courses are provided. Nurses may participate in committees and have a voice in nursing practice; leadership is present on every shift. The unit may serve as a steppingstone to an ICU/CCU career. This is a full-time role averaging 72 hours biweekly, with 12-hour day or night shifts from 7 to 7 and every third weekend. Weekend differential is available. Unit responsibilities include telemetry and cardiac monitoring, renal interventions, postoperative care, emergency response, and collaboration with patients, families, physicians, and other disciplines.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Eligible for or currently licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in Pennsylvania.
CPR certification.
ACLS for Tele Observation, or achievement within one year of the start date.
Proficiency in cardiac monitor interpretation.
Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills.
Evidence of participation in educational programs to maintain current knowledge and clinical skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Previous nursing experience in the specialty area.
Certification in the specialty.

Responsibilities

Implement, direct, and coordinate patient care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Recognize and address physical and psychosocial changes specific to the age and population served.
Practice safe medication administration, transcribe physician orders accurately, and complete chart checks for missed orders.
Use therapeutic communication and assess patient education needs, using available education resources.
Participate in unit activities, including attending at least 50% of staff or committee meetings and in-services.
Provide leadership through the nursing process and supervision, while remaining accountable for treatment and patient outcomes.
Serve as a resource for patient care, the specialty area, orientation, and staff teaching.
Analyze assessment data, identify priority problems, document plans of care, and use problem-solving skills to plan care.
Recognize changes in patient condition and abnormal clinical findings, and respond appropriately to emergencies and signs of instability.
Complete and document discharge assessments against plan-of-care goals.
Initiate and maintain intravenous therapy according to IV standards.
Safely position, transfer, and transport patients using proper body mechanics.
Provide virtual nursing support as assigned, including admissions, discharges, education, and documentation in collaboration with bedside nursing staff.
Keep patients and families informed about care and coordinate collaboratively with other departments and disciplines.
Perform focused assessments and treatments; interpret basic dysrhythmias and provide appropriate treatment and basic or advanced life support.
Calculate drug dosages; administer continuous medication infusions; monitor medication effects and evaluate patient responses to medications and treatments.
Perform peritoneal dialysis and assess, monitor, and manage patients receiving renal interventions such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and stents.
Demonstrate bladder scanner technique and appropriate preoperative and postoperative management.
Apply pain management and fall-prevention practices.
Round with physicians and perform hemodynamic monitoring, including equipment setup and troubleshooting and recognition of patient instability.
Interpret arterial blood gas results and communicate findings; recognize indications for and manage noninvasive oxygen delivery systems.
Recognize indications for and complications of enteral and parenteral nutrition.
Complete annual glucometer competency, attend annual skills day, maintain unit-specific competencies, and complete required education and in-services by their due dates.
Complete and transmit 12-lead EKGs and properly apply an external pacemaker.
Maintain general cleanliness of the department.
Recognize and evaluate family needs for greater involvement in care to support transition from hospital to home.