RN Advanced Skills, PRN

Kindred Healthcare•Louisville, KY

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Provides quality nursing care to critically ill patients through assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation, while serving as a patient advocate. Supervises nursing care provided by other caregivers and coordinates care plans with patients, families, and interdisciplinary staff. Applies critical thinking to promote positive clinical outcomes, provides patient education, and participates in discharge planning. The role maintains hospital and nursing department standards, assesses and reassesses patients, develops and updates individualized care plans, documents care in the electronic medical record, administers medications, responds to changes in patient condition, and assists physicians with tests and procedures. The nurse also supports emergency response, monitors critical-care equipment and devices, coordinates care with other departments, and contributes to staff orientation, a safe care environment, and ongoing professional development.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited Registered Nursing program.
Current Registered Nurse state licensure and/or compact state licensure upon hire.
Basic Life Support (BCLS) certification as facility-specified.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification as facility-specified.
At least one year of training and experience in critical care.
Effective written and verbal communication in English; must read, write, and speak fluent English.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on patient age and clinical condition.
Basic computer knowledge.
Ability to organize tasks, develop action plans, set priorities, and function under stressful situations.
Ability to maintain good working relationships with coworkers.
Good and regular attendance.

Responsibilities

Maintain nursing care standards and implement hospital and nursing department policies and procedures.
Assess patients on admission and as required, make referrals to other disciplines, and develop and update nursing care plans in coordination with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team.
Document assessments, reassessments, care plans, and other pertinent information completely in the electronic medical record.
Provide safe, timely, and effective patient care, including positioning patients and managing restraints when needed.
Use biomedical equipment, including defibrillators, suction machines, IV and feeding pumps, PCA pumps, and blood glucose monitoring machines.
Obtain informed consent for procedures and blood transfusions.
Receive and accurately transcribe and enter physician orders, and ensure orders are carried out.
Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition, initiate emergency actions, notify physicians, and obtain orders as appropriate.
Report and accurately document pertinent patient observations and reactions.
Administer medications in accordance with ICU policies and procedures and the seven rights of medication administration.
Recognize cardiac rhythms and initiate the applicable arrhythmia protocol.
Direct, supervise, and evaluate nursing care provided to patients; assist team members and provide direct care when professional nursing judgment is needed.
Assist physicians with special tests and procedures, including thoracentesis, paracentesis, arterial line procedures, and bronchoscopy.
Use supplies economically and keep equipment clean and safe.
Participate in orientation of new personnel and performance evaluations of nursing staff.
Coordinate nursing care when patients are scheduled for therapy or procedures with other departments.
Assist with or institute emergency measures for cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, sepsis, and other sudden adverse developments.
Maintain a clean and safe environment and apply appropriate therapeutic interventions to address emotional and rehabilitative aspects of care.
Use current ACLS certification and protocols to assess patients, render lifesaving first aid, and make appropriate referrals.
Manage tubes and devices, including urinary catheters, feeding tubes, chest tubes, drains, ostomies, and continuous bladder irrigation.
Set up and monitor hemodynamic systems, including Swan-Ganz catheters, arterial catheters, and cardiac output monitoring.
Recognize critical laboratory values and their normal ranges, and report and document results appropriately.
Verify telemetry lead placement, validate telemetry strips every four hours and as needed, and document appropriately.
Assess and meet patient and family education needs.
Provide a complete report to the oncoming RN and ensure documentation, physician orders, and patient rooms are in order.
Communicate pertinent information to nurses, physicians, patients, and others as needed.
Follow dress code and identification requirements; complete annual health, safety, and education requirements; and maintain professional growth and development.
Maintain confidentiality of patient and employee information and provide age-appropriate care based on growth and development principles.
Attend mandatory in-services and staff meetings, represent the organization professionally, and comply with ethical business practices and organizational policies.
Communicate the hospital mission, ethics, goals, and departmental focus statement; maintain required licensure and certifications.
Demonstrate guest-relations skills and follow health, safety, security, and hazardous-material policies and procedures.
Perform other related duties as assigned.