RN - Critical Care Rapid Response PRN - University Hospital

USA Health Rapid Response Nurse

USA Health is Transforming Medicine along the Gulf Coast to care for the unique needs of our community. USA Health is changing how medical care, education, and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists, and researchers provides the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics, and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall well-being of our community.

Responsibilities

• Responds to Rapid Response and Code Blue activations throughout the hospital.
• Performs rapid clinical assessment, stabilizes deteriorating patients, initiates appropriate interventions, and facilitates escalation of care including ICU transfer when indicated.
• Utilizes early warning scoring systems, clinical judgment, and evidence-based protocols to identify and intervene in patient deterioration.
• Proactively rounds on high-risk patients and provides consultation to bedside staff regarding concerning clinical trends.
• Serves as a critical care resource for bedside nurses and interdisciplinary teams.
• Assists with complex clinical situations including respiratory distress, sepsis management, hemodynamic instability, neurological changes, and other acute conditions requiring rapid intervention.
• Collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, respiratory therapy, and nursing leadership to ensure timely escalation of care, ICU consultation, or higher level of monitoring when clinically indicated.
• Supports initiatives aimed at reducing preventable deterioration events, cardiac arrests outside the ICU, and unplanned ICU transfers. Participates in review of rapid response events and contributes to system-wide patient safety improvements.
• Provides real-time coaching, clinical education, and mentorship to bedside staff regarding recognition of patient deterioration, emergency response protocols, and critical care best practices.
• Ensures accurate and timely documentation of Rapid Response interventions and patient outcomes. Communicates effectively with providers and leadership to ensure continuity of care and situational awareness.
• Supports organizational compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards related to patient safety, emergency response systems, and clinical escalation protocols.
• Completes all mandatory department, educational and hospital requirements
• Adheres to current Infection Control and Safety Standards
• Regular and prompt attendance
• Ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required
• Related duties as assigned

Additional Information

Employees must be in a regular position, working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing meeting the minimum standards set by the state of Alabama Required
• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for Alabama Upon Hire Required
• NIH - National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification Upon Hire Required
• Basic Life Support Program (BLS) - American Heart Association Upon Hire Required
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association Upon Hire Required
• CCCRN - Certified Critical Care RN within 1 Year Preferred
• Comparable combination of education and experience may substitute for the above requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Response time and effectiveness of Rapid Response activations
• Reduction in cardiac arrests outside the ICU
• Unplanned ICU transfer trends and outcomes
• Compliance with early recognition and escalation protocols
• Staff education and clinical support effectiveness
• Patient safety and quality improvement participation

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis. EO Employer minorities/females/veterans/disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.