Rapid Response Nurse Merit, UofL Hospital, 7p-7a

Medical Emergency Response Interventional Team (MERIT) Nurse

The Medical Emergency Response Interventional Team (MERIT) is staffed by highly experienced ICU nurses with diverse specialty backgrounds who use technology, innovation, and education to improve patient and quality outcomes. The MERIT nurse responds to and leads clinical bedside emergencies throughout the campus. Partners with the provider and nursing staff to optimize code response in terms of efficiency and to decrease incidence of inpatient hospital mortality. Leads debriefing with staff after a code is called. Mentors staff needing guidance in nursing care. Proactively responds to elevated MEWS alerts and nursing concerns at the bedside to prevent patient decompensation. Provides follow up with patients transferred out of the ICU to reduce unplanned returns to the ICU.

Essential Functions:

• Conducts systematic, continuous and comprehensive assessments of patient health status from admission or encounter to discharge across the care continuum to ensure patient safety, collaborating with the healthcare team, patient and family.
• Administers medications per licensure authority, assesses and reassesses the effects of these medications, and documents administration in a timely manner per policies, procedures and regulatory requirements. Consistently adheres to patient safety guidelines regarding all aspects of medication administration.
• Collaborates with the healthcare team, plans care using current scientific knowledge, theory, and care standards within the nursing interventions and outcomes framework and national patient safety goals. Constructs individualized, age specific plans for optimal patient and family outcomes, as appropriate to the practice setting. Incorporates data from the multi-disciplinary Care Team into the plan of care to assure continuity and appropriate patient teaching.
• Collaborates with healthcare team, identifies and prioritizes patient problems based on subjective and objective assessment data, patient safety considerations, patient and family goals and preferences, and nursing interventions and the medical plan of care.
• Implements nursing care interventions to meet patient and family center health care needs. Evaluates care by performing regular and systematic reviews of patient /family responses to interventions; revises the multi-disciplinary plan of care in collaboration with other care Team members to promote desired outcomes.
• Recognizes care variances and takes steps to prevent or intervene with potential or real adverse events to promote safe care.
• Competently and consistently assesses, conducts and evaluates the outcomes of patient and family teaching, from admission, or episode of care, to discharge. Teaching reflects sensitivity to age, learning needs and cultural background.
• Tracks and trends quality and patient safety data

Other Functions:

• Serves as an advocate for the patient and family, demonstrates respect for their rights, responsibilities, and sensitivity to their preferences
• Complies with HIPAA privacy and security requirements to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Proactively uses safety surveillance to prevent adverse outcomes
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of nursing practice
• Demonstrates competent skills, appropriate clinical judgments and chain of command to promote patient safety and reach planned care goals and outcomes
• Maintains compliance with all company policies, procedures and standards of conduct
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education:

• Associate's Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program is (required)
• All new-hire Associate Degree Registered Nurses (new graduate and experienced) are encouraged to start an approved BSN program.
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program (preferred)

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years critical care or emergency department experience (required)
• 1 year of rapid response experience (preferred)

Licensure:

• Active Kentucky Registered Nurse License or compact license with privileges to work in Kentucky (required)

Certification:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) (required)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) (required)
• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) upon hire or must be obtained within 1 year of hire (required)

Job Competency:

• Collaborates & Teamwork works cooperatively and collaboratively with others toward the accomplishment of shared goals
• Values Diversity recognizes and embraces the unique talents and contributions of others
• Services Orientation desire to serve and focus one's efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of internal and external customers
• Achieves Results: reflects a drive to achieve and outperform. Continuously looking for improvements. Accepts responsibility for actions and results
• Organizational Alignment: ability to align people, processes and organizational structure with UMC's strategic direction
• Develops Others: views people, their knowledge and capabilities as assets and provides opportunities that allow employees to continuously learn and develop
• Communicates: practices attentive and active listening and can restate opinions of others; communicates messages in a way that has the desired effect
• Integrity: conducts business with honesty and professional ethics. Seeks to achieve results in the best interest of the organization. Models and reinforces ethical behavior in self and others

Language Ability:

• Must be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats

Reasoning Ability:

• Able to critically think through complex patient situations, process improvements, evidence-based practice
• Able to assist others in developing clinical reasoning skill

Computer Skills:

• Basic Microsoft, Excel, Word, Power Point

Additional Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates a commitment to service, organization values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times
• Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times
• Adheres to organizational and department specific safety standards and guidelines.
• Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members
• Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians, patients, residents, visitors, staff and the broader health care community

UofL Health Core Expectation:

• At UofL Health, we expect all our employees to live the values of honesty, integrity and compassion and demonstrate these values in their interactions with others and as they deliver excellent patient care by:
• Honoring and caring for the dignity of all persons in mind, body, and spirit
• Ensuring the highest quality of care for those we serve
• Working together as a team to achieve our goals
• Improving continuously by listening, and asking for and responding to feedback
• Seeking new and better ways to meet the needs of those we serve
• Using our resources wisely
• Understanding how each of our roles contributes to the success of UofL Health

Work Environment/Job Activities:

• How often does the job require exposure to or completion of the following? Activities HIGH> 60% MODERATE31 60% LIGHT0 30% NONE0%
• Local Travel 0010
• National Travel 0010
• Loud Noises 0100
• Working at heights above 4 ft. 0010
• Working in confined spaces 0010
• Risk of injuries from equipment on the job 0010
• Temperature extremes 0010
• Hazardous chemicals and fumes, including waste 0100
• Radiation 0010
• Burns 0010
• Cuts/Punctures 0010
• Bloodborne/airborne pathogens 0010
• Combative/violent people 0100
• Please specify other(s) and amount of exposure (i.e., High, moderate, or light)

Physical Requirements:

• How often does the job require completion or use of the following?
• Activities HIGH> 60% MODERATE31 60% LIGHT0 30% NONE0%
• Sitting, for example at computer workstation, for extended periods of