RN - NICU Registered Nurse

Trinity Health•Dubuque, IA

21d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time position in the Birth Center at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center. Primarily a night position, this role requires working every third weekend and every third holiday. The nurse will care for laboring patients, postpartum couplets, and surgical patients. There are opportunities for cross-training to assist in pediatrics during times of high census. The position requires becoming Electronic Fetal Monitor certified within the first year, in addition to ACLS and NRP. BLS and Mandatory Reporter certifications are also required. The purpose of this position is to provide and direct safe, effective, and culturally competent care for women, newborns, and pediatric patients. The nurse will utilize evidence-based practice and critical thinking to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate outcome-based care. This role manages a diverse patient population across labor and delivery, postpartum, newborn nursery, pediatrics, and/or pediatric intensive care, with varying levels of acuity. The nurse supervises and coordinates care provided by LPNs, Patient Care Technicians/Assistants, and other team members, while ensuring clear communication with physicians, families, and the interdisciplinary team. The nurse adheres to MercyOne’s performance expectations and upholds the Mission, Vision, and Values of MercyOne.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing required
Current Iowa RN license, (current Illinois (IL) license if working in IL) required.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire.
High language, intermediate to high math, high critical thinking ability.
Basic computer skills required.
Certified in NRP and PALS onsite (for pediatric staff).
Certified in BLS and mandatory reporter (for pediatric staff).
Required to become Electronic Fetal Monitor certified within first year.
ACLS and NRP required (for Birth Center position).
Mandatory Reporter and BLS also required (for Birth Center position).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
Cross-trained to the Level 2 NICU.
Cross-trained to care for postpartum couplets.
Opportunities to assist in the Emergency Department with pediatric patients.
Cross trained to assist in pediatrics during times of high census (for Birth Center position).

Responsibilities

Conducts an initial assessment to gather data, making an initial assessment of new admissions within 30 minutes of arrival and completing the admission assessment database within 24 hours.
Identifies patient problems and develops them into an outcome/goal-based plan of care, initiating the patient problem list and incorporating relevant history.
Analyzes and interprets assessment data to identify desired outcomes/goals for mother and child, determining nursing interventions and prioritizing care needs.
Identifies and makes appropriate referrals (e.g., Lactation Consultant, Social Services, Nutritional Services, Spiritual Care).
Implements the outcome/goal-based plan of care, assigning and coordinating patient care based on acuity and team member competencies.
Organizes and prioritizes care for mothers, newborns, and pediatric patients, delegating tasks appropriately.
Implements the plan of care including procedures, treatments, physician orders, nursing orders, education plans, and medications.
Coordinates implementation with Case Manager, Social Worker, and other disciplines.
Assists in discharge planning, ensuring families have resources for newborn care, breastfeeding support, and pediatric follow-up.
Uses nursing judgment to determine frequency and components of reassessment and reassesses at regular intervals.
Documents discharge instructions for mother, infant, and/or caregiver.
Evaluates patient progress and revises the plan as needed, evaluating maternal and pediatric response(s) to interventions and updating the plan of care.
Communicates relevant clinical information to optimize outcomes, communicating maternal and pediatric status to physicians and team members, and reporting progress or changes in condition promptly.
Maintains ongoing communication with the interdisciplinary team throughout the shift, at handoff, and during transfers.
Documents completely and accurately per policy.
Demonstrates clinical competence by utilizing Women & Children-specific policies and procedures, ensuring medication safety, demonstrating competency in electronic health record systems, and processing physician orders accurately.
Maintains communication with leadership regarding admissions, acuity, and significant events.
Completes assigned shift duties and resolves discrepancies.
Manages fetal and neonatal monitoring when applicable, demonstrating competency in interpreting fetal heart tracings and neonatal vital signs.
Responds appropriately to changes in maternal or neonatal condition and provides interventions for obstetric or neonatal emergencies.
Serves as a resource for other hospital services and participates in quality improvement initiatives.
Provides age-appropriate care based on principles of growth and development, collecting, analyzing, and applying age-specific data, performing tasks and using equipment in an age-appropriate manner, and communicating effectively with patients and families at their developmental level.
Adheres to safety and infection control standards, attending required safety programs, using appropriate PPE consistently, demonstrating emergency procedures, and maintaining a safe environment.
Maintains compliance with laws, regulations, and organizational standards, upholding Trinity Health's Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, and all applicable policies.