RN ICU FT Days

Kindred Healthcare•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

The RN ICU provides quality nursing care to critically ill patients using the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. The nurse serves as a patient advocate, supervises care provided by other caregivers, and coordinates individualized care plans with patients, families, and interdisciplinary staff. The role requires critical thinking to promote positive clinical outcomes, patient education, and participation in discharge planning. The RN maintains nursing standards and hospital policies, assesses patients and develops and updates care plans, documents care in the electronic medical record, administers medications, and responds to changes in patient condition and emergencies. The nurse also manages and monitors critical-care equipment, telemetry, hemodynamic systems, tubes, and drains; assists physicians with procedures; coordinates care with other departments; and supports the education and evaluation of nursing staff. The position requires current licensure and certifications, strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program.
Minimum one year of training and experience in critical care.
Registered Nurse state licensure and/or compact state licensure upon hire.
Facility-specified Basic Life Support (BCLS) certification required.
Facility-specified Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required.
Effective written and verbal English communication skills; must read, write, and speak fluent English.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on the patient's 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

Provide quality nursing care to critically ill patients through assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation, while advocating for patients.
Supervise, direct, and evaluate nursing care provided by other caregivers and assist team members with patient care.
Assess patients on admission and as required, make appropriate referrals, and develop and update coordinated nursing care plans.
Document assessments, reassessments, care plans, observations, and other pertinent information in the electronic medical record.
Administer medications according to ICU policies and the seven rights of medication administration; understand medication actions, side effects, dosages, and routes.
Receive physician orders, ensure accurate transcription and entry, and follow through on their execution.
Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition, initiate emergency measures, notify physicians, and obtain orders as needed.
Recognize cardiac rhythms and implement applicable arrhythmia protocols; validate telemetry strips and document findings.
Assist physicians with special tests and procedures, including thoracentesis, paracentesis, arterial line placement, and bronchoscopy.
Set up and monitor hemodynamic systems, including Swan-Ganz catheters, arterial catheters, and cardiac output monitoring.
Manage tubes and devices such as catheters, feeding tubes, chest tubes, drains, ostomies, and continuous bladder irrigation.
Use biomedical equipment safely and correctly, including defibrillators, suction machines, IV and feeding pumps, PCA pumps, and blood glucose monitors.
Obtain consents for procedures and blood transfusions and ensure patients have information needed to make informed decisions.
Coordinate nursing care with therapies and procedures scheduled by other departments and participate in discharge planning.
Assess and address patient and family education needs; provide age-appropriate and therapeutic care.
Report and document pertinent observations, critical laboratory values, and patient reactions to the appropriate personnel.
Provide complete handoff reports to the oncoming RN and ensure documentation, physician orders, and patient rooms are in order.
Participate in orientation of new personnel and performance evaluations of nursing staff.
Maintain a clean, safe environment and use supplies economically; follow health, safety, security, and hazardous-material policies.
Maintain professional growth, complete annual health, safety, and education requirements, and attend mandatory in-services and staff meetings.
Maintain confidentiality, comply with organizational policies and ethical business practices, and represent the organization professionally.
Maintain required licensure and certifications, comply with the dress code, and demonstrate guest-relations skills.
Perform other related duties as assigned.