Job Objective:

A Registered Nurse who is responsible for the nursing care of patients in the Critical Care setting guided by policies and procedures of the Critical Care Unit and hospital.

Duties and Responsibilities:

A.

Nursing Process:

Applies nursing process in direct patient care Assessment of physiological, psycho social, educational, cultural, and spiritual needs of patient as evidenced by written assessment within one hour of admission and visual assessment within fifteen minutes of arrivalDocuments physical assessment every four hours on in the electronic medical record and vital signs/I&O Q2 or more frequently as required by diagnosis/disease process/physician orders.

Reassesses patient's needs every four hours and more often when necessary and documents in the electronic medical record and patient care plan. Provides further interventions as necessary and re-evaluates outcomes. Care of acutely ill patient Monitors vital sign, i.e. EKG, Sa02, etc. and intervenes as necessaryInitiate and monitor vasoactive drips, ie Dopamine, Dobutamine, Nipride, Norepinephrine etc.

Monitor invasive lines, i.e. central lines, arterial lines, etc.

Monitor ventilator patients and intervene when necessaryOperate various pain management equipment, i.e. PCA, Epidural, etc.

Assess patient for respiratory depressions and/or arrest and intervene immediately if necessary, i.e. CPR, use ambu bag, chin lift maneuvers airways, etc.

Responds to codes in unit and responds to codes in other units in the hospital.

Monitor, assess and intervenes with extremely unstable patients, ie post cardiac surgery, trauma, organ donation, etc.

Insures that patients have a safe post-operative/post-procedural period from general, regional or local anesthesia, including Moderate Sedation .Provide age specific and disease specific care and education to patients/families relating to post-procedural care. B.

Technical Equipment Operation:

Operates technical equipment safely, efficiently and accurately as per unit competency level. Pressure line set up and maintenanceCardiac monitorsInsertion, maintenance, withdrawal of blood form arterial line, and removal of arterial lineCardiac outputInsertion, maintenance and removal of PA linesICP and/or Camino set up, insertion and maintenanceCrash cart/defibrillator/cardioverisonVentilator managementPeripheral Nerve StimulatorVentricular Assist DeviceTransvenous pacemaker/non-invasive pacingFemostop/C-clamp for line removal

Non-Essential Duties:

Participates on unit or hospital based committeesOther duties as assigned, within compliance with Title 22, The Joint Commission, and CMS.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge Demonstrates knowledge of criteria for 1:1 patientDemonstrates knowledge of patient classification systemDemonstrates knowledge of staffing guidelines for Critical Care UnitDemonstrates knowledge of Moderate SedationDemonstrates knowledge of Critical Care security policies and procedures.

Demonstrates knowledge of Critical Care visitation policy.

Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of DirectorsConforms to required accreditation standards.

Conforms with and supports hospital quality management and performance improvement guidelines Skills Meets skills and abilities of a Registered NurseSkill and ability to follow telephone etiquette/standardsDisplays a willingness to work as a team playerSafely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties Abilities Ability to adhere to all established AVH policies and procedures and to interpret and function under these.

Ability to organize work and establish prioritiesAbility to expand on own initiative in performance of dutiesAbility to function effectively under pressure and meet time parametersAbility to relieve clerical staff at desk, or to adopt any function commonly assigned to unlicensed assistive personnel, or as allowed within scope of nursing practice, as needed

Education and Experience:

Education Maintains current licensure, certifications, education, and physical health standardsParticipates in mandatory and/or optional educational activities/offerings. Attends staff meetings regularly and as required by assigned unitDemonstrates knowledge and competency on hospital information technologies used in the designated patient care area.

Successfully completes written and practical competencies annually or otherwise as assigned.

CCRN preferred. Experience Two years acute care nursing preferred, new grad training provided as appropriate. Required Licensure and/or

Certifications:

Meets all required licensure and/or certifications necessary for Registered Nurse.

ACLS certification required on file in Department of Education.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Work often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical conditionsAccepts additional workload during times of unexpected circumstances, e.g., high activity, high census, and sudden emergencies.

May be exposed to contaminated instruments that may cause infections, burns, or cuts.

May also be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation. A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.