RN- CVICU Per Diem

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Nurse

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines. Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Location: Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, 595 West State Street, Doylestown Pa 18901

Hours: Per Diem

Job Summary:

To provide professional nursing care in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act, American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the American Heart Association to collaborate with the physician's medical plan, and to execute the objectives and the policies of the hospital

Accountabilities:

• Assess, plan, implement, document, coordinate, and manage patient care according to department and hospital standards and giving consideration to age-specific accommodations for patients undergoing cardiac testing, cardiac rehabilitation and for inpatients in ICU/IVU.
• Utilizes the nursing process and assesses all patients assigned to his/her care.
• Performs and documents a comprehensive, organized system admission assessment by interview and examination of patient.
• Performs and documents a shift assessment of patients in a timely manner.
• Initiates a computerized plan of care and shift goal based on nursing assessment, the medical plan of care and patient needs, within 8 hours of admission in ICU/IVU.
• Maintains a complete, accurate record of patients care. Continuously monitors patients condition and prioritizes emergency care where/when needed in Cardiac Services and Cardiac Rehab.
• Initiates, maintains and revises patient plan of care based on scientific principles, evidence-based practice and patient needs and response to interventions.
• Provides patient care, which demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of normal physiology and disease pathophysiology, appropriate nursing and medical interventions and knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the lifespan.
• Documents patients response to treatment, plan of care.
• Provides patient education based on individual healthcare needs on an ongoing basis.
• Completes documentation, including transcription of physician orders and computer entry without the use of unapproved abbreviations.
• Demonstrates the ability to use the computer for automated order entry, data retrieval, nursing documentation, intradepartmental communication and interdepartmental communication.
• Evaluates, revises, and improves patient care using creative strategies, evidence-based nursing, and consideration of age and population specific accommodations.
• Appropriately assigns all Associates under his/her supervision according to their skill level.
• Implements nursing/physician orders that result in achievement of patient, nursing, and physician goals.
• Demonstrates initiative and self-direction in completion of assigned responsibilities in accordance with department needs.
• Analyzes data and responds to changes in patient status by consulting appropriate healthcare team members and taking appropriate action in a timely manner.
• Performs selected therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures according to department standards as ordered to include but not limited to:
• Point of care testing
• Initiation and maintenance of oxygen therapy in all areas
• Ventilator care in ICU
• 12-lead ECG
• Insertion and maintenance of Nasogastric Tubes (NGT)
• Insertion of feeding tubes (ICU only)
• Flushing and maintenance of central lines:
• PICC lines
• Single, double and triple central lines
• Shift and 24-hour chart check
• 2 patient identifiers will be utilized before performing interventions and/or procedures
• Rhythm strip interpretations
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Maintenance and titration of vasoactive medications
• Targeted Temperature Management
• Temporary Pacing Wires
• Alteplase Therapy
• Post IAT: Intra-arterial Thrombectomy (ICU only)
• Demonstrates appropriate skill in utilization of the computer for automated order entry, data retrieval, cardiac/patient care planning, intervention and interdepartmental communications.
• Monitoring of patients in Cardiac Services undergoing cardiac diagnostic testing.
• Cares for patients physically and psychologically with consideration of age, cultural, and spiritual issues that may affect patient care.
• Performs with clinical proficiency in crises and medical emergencies.
• Communicates and collaborates with patients, physicians, family members and other health care disciplines in order to achieve excellence in patient care during hospitalization.
• Utilizes effective interpersonal skills in all interactions with Associates, physicians, patients, visitors and volunteers.
• Involves patient/significant other in the plan of care, serving as a patient advocate.
• Consistently and continuously communicates pertinent information regarding changes in patient status and patient care with appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Uses interpersonal communication techniques to receive and give constructive feedback for the purpose of promoting professional excellence and excellence in patient care.
• Effectively communicates pertinent patient/significant other information during patient handoffs according to department standards.
• Demonstrates leadership skills in team building and interpersonal relationships to create a cohesive and productive environment.
• Recognizes interdepartmental relationships and interacts effectively.
• Follows staffing guidelines. In the interest of patient care, responds to changes or needs within the Patient Services Team by cooperating with staff rotation, reassignment to other departments, and weekend/holiday scheduling, as per unit guidelines.
• Promotes patient safety through adherence to protocols, policies, procedures, evidence-based guidelines and Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.
• Maintains equipment in good working order, reports equipment failure, and initiates corrective action. Where appropriate, adheres to quality monitoring or procedures for validation of equipment functionality.
• Safely administers medications and treatments as ordered according to hospital policy and formulary using the appropriate principles of safe medication administration, 2 patient identifiers, and giving consideration to age-specific effects related to medication.
• Safely handles various types of drugs and body fluids using knowledge of standard precautions.
• Actively participates in and supports departmental and organizational quality initiatives and goals.
• Identifies professional goals which reflect own strengths and weaknesses and seeks assistance for improvement of performance.
• Attends and participates in meetings according to department standards.
• Attends 4 inter shifts in person or via Zoom each year and reads all inter shift minutes.
• Keeps informed of unit and hospital initiatives, updates, documentation changes, and policy/procedure changes by reading emails on a regular basis, and by attending inter shifts as stated above.
• Supports and participates in departmental and hospital evidence-based care quality initiatives (ex. Heart Failure, Acute MI, Glycemic Control, VTE prophylaxis, pressure ulcer prevention, Rapid Response Team (ICU), Sepsis (ICU), VAP, and infection prevention initiatives).
• Maintains clinical competency according to unit-specific standards.
• Recognizes legal responsibilities and functions within the scope of the PA Nurse Practice Act.
• Demonstrates competency in maintaining specific technological skills required by job category and/or specialty area. Demonstrates recognition of equipment or technological adaptations dependent on age and population specific patient needs (See Scope of Practice as delineated in departmental standards and/or related Policy and Procedure in the Policy and Procedure Manual).
• Maintains technological competence through practice and ongoing participation in in-services and professional conferences.
• Strive to attain professional certification in area of specialty.
• Acquires and maintains proficiency in the initiation and maintenance of IV lines and sites.
• Completion of annual mandatory requirements:
• CPR certification
• RAHE (required annual hospital education)
• Specific departmental and hospital competencies
• Point of Care Testing
• Fit Testing
• ACLS certification within one year of hire or transfer to critical care unit
• NIHSS certification
• Completion of unit-based Skills Days yearly
• CCRN preferred
• Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine and entity values, policies, and procedures
• Other duties as assigned to support the unit, department, entity, and health