RN CASUAL- STEP DOWN UNIT

Independence Health System•Greensburg, PA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care for a designated group of patients. The RN coordinates, directs, and actively participates as an effective member of the interdisciplinary health care team, contributing to efficient unit operations and positive patient outcomes. The Registered Nurse provides direct oversight of the GN, LPN, Technical Partner, ALS Technician, Nurse Extern, and Unit Clerks. This includes conducting the initial comprehensive assessment, interpreting it to initiate the interprofessional plan of care, and supervising delegation of duties within the scope and capability of the care team. In the CCU specialty functions, the RN interprets and treats arrhythmias, reviews rhythm strips, and uses appropriate treatment protocols, including drug-administration protocols. Incumbents are scheduled according to operational needs, which may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work. Local travel between System locations may be expected. The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but the RN may coach and mentor other department positions.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Strong leadership ability, organizational skills, independent and critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of the legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED program.
PA Act 153 clearance with renewal, including Act 33, Act 34, and Act 73 FBI clearance.
Current NIH Stroke Scale certification, or completion within six months of hire or transfer into the department.
Current ACLS certification, or completion within one year of hire or transfer into the department.
A nursing refresher course may be required if the employee has not worked in an acute care setting during their most recent three consecutive years of professional employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
CCRN certification.
Open-heart experience.
One year of med/surg, PCU, or critical care experience.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for a designated group of patients.
Coordinate, direct, and participate as an effective member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge through education, professional publications, networking, and participation in professional societies.
Ensure quality of care by following therapeutic standards, measuring outcomes against patient goals and standards, making or recommending adjustments, and complying with applicable hospital, nursing, and regulatory standards.
Protect patients and employees by following infection-control policies, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled-substance regulations.
Document patient care in patient and department records, and communicate actions, irregularities, and continuing needs using Nurse Knowledge Exchange techniques.
Maintain patient confidentiality and establish rapport with patients and others who can help identify care requirements.
Provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
Promote patient independence by establishing care goals, teaching patients and families about conditions, medications, and self-care, and answering questions.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and request assistance from health care support personnel when needed.
Resolve patient problems and needs through multidisciplinary team strategies.
Communicate and collaborate with health care teams, respond to requests, build rapport, and participate in continuous quality improvement and problem-solving.
Ensure equipment operation by completing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting malfunctions, arranging repairs, maintaining inventories, and evaluating equipment and techniques.
Maintain nursing supplies by checking stock, anticipating needs, ordering and expediting supplies, verifying deliveries, and using supplies and equipment appropriately.
Conduct the initial comprehensive assessment, interpret it to initiate the interprofessional plan of care, and oversee the GN, LPN, Technical Partner, ALS Technician, Nurse Extern, and Unit Clerks, including supervision of appropriate delegated duties.
Interpret and treat arrhythmias in the CCU, review rhythm strips, and use appropriate arrhythmia treatment and medication protocols.
Perform other related duties as assigned.