RN Casual- Step Down Unit

Independence Health System Careers•Greensburg, PA

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. The role may also include coaching and mentoring other department positions, although it has no direct supervisory responsibilities. For the specialty functions, the RN demonstrates the ability to interpret and treat arrhythmias in CCU, review rhythm strips, provide appropriate arrhythmia treatment, and use appropriate protocols for administering drugs to treat arrhythmias. Incumbents are scheduled according to operational need, which may include rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work. Local travel between system locations may be expected. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program.
Strong leadership ability and good organizational skills.
Independent and critical-thinking skills and sound judgment.
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) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association, including CPR and AED.
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 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 preferred.
CCRN.
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 and participate as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team to support efficient unit operations and positive patient outcomes.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge through education workshops, professional publications, personal networks, and professional societies.
Assure quality of care by following therapeutic standards, measuring outcomes against patient goals and standards, making or recommending adjustments, and following applicable hospital, nursing, and regulatory requirements.
Follow infection-control policies, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled-substance regulations to protect patients and employees.
Document patient care services in patient and department records.
Maintain continuity among nursing teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs using Nurse Knowledge Exchange techniques.
Protect confidential information and maintain patient confidence.
Identify patient care requirements by building rapport with patients and others who can help clarify care needs.
Provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
Promote patient independence by setting 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 using multidisciplinary team strategies.
Communicate with health care teams, respond to requests, build rapport, and participate in continuous quality improvement and problem-solving.
Complete related duties that contribute to team efforts.
Maintain equipment by completing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting malfunctions, arranging repairs, maintaining inventories, and evaluating equipment and techniques.
Maintain nursing supply inventory by checking stock, anticipating needs, ordering and expediting supplies, verifying receipts, and using supplies and equipment appropriately.
Conduct initial comprehensive assessments, interpret findings to initiate the interprofessional plan of care, and oversee the GN, LPN, Technical Partner, ALS Technician, Nurse Extern, and Unit Clerks.
Supervise delegation of duties that are within the scope and capability of the care team.
Interpret and treat arrhythmias in CCU, review rhythm strips, provide appropriate treatment, and use appropriate drug-administration protocols.
Perform other related duties as assigned.