RN Clinical - 7 W ICU - Per Diem 12 Hour Nights (Non-Exempt) (Union)

Keck Medicine of USC•Los Angeles, CA

6d•$46 - $99•Onsite

About The Position

As an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, the Registered Nurse uses the nursing process to provide therapeutic care to patients and is accountable for coordinating patient care and education for patients and families in a compassionate, supportive, therapeutic environment. The position supports a 7 West ICU and is per diem, with 12-hour night shifts. The nurse provides care across assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, documentation, education, transfer and discharge, and communication. Duties include assessing patients at admission, each shift, and when conditions change; formulating nursing diagnoses; developing and updating individualized plans of care; administering medications and IV therapy; performing procedures; delegating appropriately; advocating for patients; and managing restraints according to policy. The nurse documents patient care, orders, assessments, education, transfers, and chart checks, and collaborates with case managers and physicians on discharge planning. The role requires safe use of patient-care equipment and compliance with regulatory requirements, patient safety goals, infection-control practices, and workplace safety procedures. ICU responsibilities include managing complex critically ill patients and advanced therapies such as hemodynamic monitoring, continuous renal replacement therapy, ventriculostomy and intracranial pressure monitoring, ventricular assist devices, and balloon pumps. The position description also outlines care responsibilities for medical-surgical, stepdown/telemetry, dialysis, and psychiatric patients, as well as quality improvement and professional development activities. Keck Hospital of USC is a 343-bed acute care hospital providing specialized care for complex medical and surgical conditions, with clinical trials and innovative treatments across its specialties.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN); the posting notes grandfathering from the BSN requirement for employees hired before December 2019.
At least 1 year of acute inpatient hospital experience in the United States as a licensed RN.
Excellent communication skills, including proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English.
Knowledge of medical procedures and conditions and ability to understand, follow, and perform duties, including whole blood collection and apheresis procedures, in accordance with administrative and clinical policies, regulations, and procedures.
Commitment to excellence in patient care and customer service.
Ability to work independently with minimal direction and supervision.
Registered Nurse license from the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) is required within LA City; if the employee does not have a card upon hire, it must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained through renewal before expiration.

Nice To Haves

Specialty certification.

Responsibilities

Follow policies and procedures and demonstrate the ability to access online manuals.
Apply scientific knowledge in practical nursing care using the Nursing Process.
Complete nursing assessments upon admission, each shift, and when a patient's condition changes; complete patient acuity by 0200/1400 daily.
Interpret assessment information and formulate nursing diagnoses.
Develop individualized plans of care, document expected outcomes, and review, revise, and update plans daily based on patient outcomes.
Administer medications and IV therapy at prescribed intervals and perform patient-care procedures according to policy.
Delegate tasks according to others’ scope of practice and competency, and act as a patient advocate.
Manage restraint use according to policy, including trying alternatives first, obtaining and verifying orders and assessments, monitoring patients, and completing restraint documentation.
Complete required patient documentation, including assessments, flow sheets, care plans, risk assessments, transfer forms, and chart checks; ensure orders are transcribed and signed off before the end of the shift.
Educate patients and families, orient them to the room or unit, explain the plan of care, identify knowledge deficits, and provide MICROMEDEX information.
Collaborate with case managers and physicians on discharge planning; complete transfer paperwork and ensure patient belongings accompany the patient.
Use patient-care equipment safely and according to manufacturer guidelines, including IV, feeding, PCA, and epidural pumps, sequential compression devices, wound VACs, and heating pads or pumps.
Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the healthcare team through reports, rounds, handoffs, and other interactions.
Organize and prioritize responsibilities, manage time effectively, take meal breaks without incurring overtime, and complete shifts on time.
Observe regulatory and safety requirements, including patient identification, medication reconciliation, handoffs, critical-value processes, hazardous-waste handling, HIPAA, OSHA, infection control, and hand washing.
Manage complex critically ill ICU patients and advanced therapeutic modalities, including hemodynamic monitoring, CRRT/CVVHD, ventriculostomy and intracranial pressure monitoring, ventricular assist devices, and balloon pumps.
Provide care to patients in medical-surgical, stepdown/telemetry, dialysis, and psychiatric settings as described, including specialized monitoring and treatment procedures.
Initiate, perform, and terminate dialysis treatments according to policy and standards; review orders and labs, conduct safety checks, document treatments, maintain equipment, and coordinate treatment orders with physicians.
Use therapeutic interactions and maintain a therapeutic milieu for psychiatric patients; monitor safety, support treatment planning, follow legal-status requirements, and administer psychotropic medications only with proper consent and documentation.
Use de-escalation techniques and apply behavioral restraints or seclusion when appropriate; monitor safety, obtain physician assessments and orders, notify the manager, and complete debriefing.
Identify patients meeting Core Measure criteria, complete related documentation, and participate in data collection and process improvements related to nurse-sensitive quality indicators.
Participate in professional hospital and nursing activities, committees, teams, unit projects, and research.
Perform other related duties as assigned.