RN - Inpatient Orthopedics

Carle Health•Urbana, IL

8d•$39 - $63

About The Position

The RN works on North Tower 4 (NT4), a 41-bed inpatient orthopedic and urology surgical unit caring for acute orthopedic and urology surgical patients, including limb trauma and lower-acuity medical patients. Carle is a level trauma center, so many regional trauma patients are admitted to the unit. The unit is DNV certified for hip and knee replacement surgeries and has a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4–6. NT4 is a fast-paced, throughput-focused unit where nurses collaborate closely with physical and occupational therapists. Most patients stay no more than three days, allowing staff to support patients throughout their recovery. Unit resources include full-time and part-time educators, two nurse supervisors, a manager, and charge nurses. Nurses use equipment and perform care involving wound vacs, JP drains, Buck’s traction, external fixators, lift equipment, orthotic devices, chest tubes, Foley, IV and Mediport insertions, central line care and lab draws, IV and PCA pumps, feeding pumps, SCDs, telemetry monitoring, and patient connection. The RN assesses patients, develops and carries out individualized plans of care, documents nursing care, educates patients, coordinates care with physicians and surgeons, and delegates and monitors interventions performed by healthcare team staff. The position also includes managing wound and urological devices, supporting safe mobility and wound care, maintaining competencies, and completing annual education when assigned for DNV hip and knee replacement program requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Associate's degree.
Licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN) credential from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association within 30 days.

Responsibilities

Perform responsibilities and duties required by the unit and within the scope of service.
Implement procedures and theories related to the specific area of practice.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of nursing care to support information integration across the healthcare team.
Complete an initial assessment upon admission and develop a plan of care based on unit standards and patient and family needs.
Implement nursing plans of care, interventions, and patient care procedures, modifying the plan based on ongoing evaluation.
Promote patient and employee safety by reporting or correcting hazards and incidents.
Communicate directly and privately when needed to resolve issues; provide constructive feedback and collaborate with colleagues to expand knowledge.
Identify personal learning needs and take initiative to address them.
Fulfill departmental competency requirements and, if applicable, complete annual education for DNV Hip and Knee Replacement Program requirements.
Assess orthopedic and medical-surgical patients every shift.
Educate patients on wound care, mobility, self-care, medication management, care transitions, and other individual needs.
Coordinate care with physician and surgeon partners.
Delegate and monitor interventions performed by healthcare team staff.
Set up orthopedic traction and manipulate surgical traction devices for mobility and wound care.
Manage wound appliances, including wound vacs, drains, pouches, and other urological devices.