Registered Nurse - Intermediate Care

Job Description

Job Description

Registered Nurse (RN) – Intermediate Care (ICC)

Location: Elkhart, IN 46514
Duration: 13 weeks
Unit: Intermediate Care (ICC)
Shift: Days | 07:00 AM – 07:30 PM
Schedule: 12-hour shifts
Weekend Requirements: Every other weekend
Holiday Requirements: Every other holiday
Call Requirements: None
Floating: Required to similar units with comparable patient acuity, as needed
Experience Required: Minimum 1 year of recent PCU, Step-Down, or Intermediate Care experience
Charting System: Cerner
Certifications Required: BLS and ACLS
Preferred Certification: NIHSS
Travelers: First-time travelers accepted

Position Overview

The Registered Nurse will provide high-quality nursing care to adult and geriatric patients in a high-acuity Intermediate Care unit. The unit has an average daily census of 15 patients, with 15 private rooms and 15 beds. Nurses must be experienced in managing complex medical conditions, cardiac monitoring, respiratory support, and patients requiring close observation and specialized nursing interventions.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess, monitor, and manage adult and geriatric patients with complex medical and cardiac conditions.

• Provide care for patients requiring telemetry monitoring and intermediate-level nursing care.

• Interpret cardiac rhythms, recognize dysrhythmias, and initiate appropriate interventions.

• Manage non-titrated cardiac drips, heparin protocols, and IV insulin protocols, including insulin drip titration.

• Care for patients with respiratory conditions requiring BiPAP/CPAP, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and tracheostomy management.

• Monitor and care for patients with sepsis, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), electrolyte imbalances, and renal failure.

• Provide neurological care for patients with CVA, intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and post-neurosurgical conditions.

• Manage central and peripheral IV lines, feeding tubes, chest tubes, continuous bladder irrigation (CBI), and other specialized equipment.

• Interpret arterial blood gas (ABG) results and monitor patients requiring oxygen therapy and non-invasive respiratory support.

• Provide wound care, wound VAC management, and appropriate isolation precautions.

• Recognize changes in patient condition and collaborate with rapid response teams and other healthcare professionals.

• Communicate effectively with physicians and interdisciplinary teams using SBAR.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in Cerner and comply with established clinical protocols and safety standards.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of solid PCU, Step-Down, or Intermediate Care nursing experience.

• Experience working in cardiac telemetry and remote cardiac monitoring environments.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and manage cardiac dysrhythmias.

• Experience with IV insulin protocols, insulin drip titration, and heparin protocols.

• Experience managing non-titrated cardiac drips.

• Proficiency in respiratory care, including BiPAP/CPAP, HFNC, tracheostomy care, and oxygen administration.

• Experience caring for patients with complex medical, neurological, renal, and endocrine conditions.

• Experience with central and peripheral line care, IV initiation, phlebotomy, and feeding tube management.

• Knowledge of chest tube management, CBI, and pre-/post-hemodialysis care.

• Experience with wound care, wound VACs, and isolation precautions.

• Current BLS and ACLS certifications.

• Ability to float to similar units based on staffing needs and patient acuity.

Preferred Qualifications

• NIHSS certification.

• Experience managing patients with substance withdrawal, including alcohol withdrawal and drug overdose.

Unit and Clinical Environment

• Patient Population: Adults and geriatrics.

• Patient-to-Nurse Ratios: Days 1:4; nights 1:5.

• Patient Census: Approximately 15 patients daily.

• Medication System: Pyxis.

• Documentation System: Cerner.

• Communication Protocol: SBAR.

• Staffing Model: 8-, 10-, and 12-hour shifts may be utilized; the posted assignment is for day shift.

• Call: Not required.

• Floating: To similar units with comparable acuity, as needed.

Conditions Commonly Managed

• Sepsis and respiratory compromise, including pneumonia.

• DKA, HHS, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, and electrolyte imbalances.

• Renal failure and patients requiring hemodialysis.

• Cardiac dysrhythmias and patients requiring telemetry monitoring.

• Neurological conditions, including CVA, intracranial bleeds, seizures, and traumatic brain injury.

• Alcohol withdrawal, drug overdose, and suicidal ideation.

• Liver failure, cirrhosis, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Available Clinical Support

The facility provides access to a multidisciplinary support team, including:

• Intensivists, hospitalists, nurse practitioners, anesthesiologists, and CRNAs available in-house 24/7.

• Rapid response teams and respiratory services.

• IV and vascular access teams.

• Pharmacy and phlebotomy services.

• Physical therapy, radiology, and social services.

• Interpretation services, transportation, and unit secretary support.

Additional Information

• Scrubs provided by the facility: Royal blue.

• Free parking available on-site.

• First-time travelers are welcome.

• Nurses must be comfortable caring for high-acuity patients and responding promptly to changes in clinical status.