RN Clinical - 7 W Surgical ICU - Full Time 12 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Union)

Job Summary As an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, the Registered Nurse utilizes the nursing process to provide therapeutic care to patients. The Registered Nurse is accountable for the coordination of patient care and education to the patient and family in accordance with the standards, policies, and practices in a compassionate, supportive, and therapeutic environment. Responsibilities Use the nursing process to provide therapeutic care to patients. Coordinate patient care and education to patients and families following standards, policies, and practices in a compassionate, supportive, and therapeutic environment. Follow policies and procedures; demonstrate ability to access online manuals. Transfer learned scientific knowledge into practical application in applying the Nursing Process. Assessment: Appropriately complete Nursing Assessment upon patient admission, at each shift and with change of condition. Complete patient acuity by 0200/1400 daily. Diagnosis: Interpret assessment information and formulate Nursing Diagnoses. Plan: Develop Plans of Care with individualized interventions. Document expected/projected patient outcomes. Review, revise, and update Plans of Care daily based on evaluation and interpretation of patient outcomes. Intervention: Administer medication and IV therapy appropriately at prescribed intervals. Complete patient care procedures correctly per policy at prescribed intervals. Delegate tasks based on others’ scope of practice and competency. Act as patient advocate. Manage restraint use per policy, attempting alternative non‑restraint measures first. Assure complete MD order, MD assessment, patient monitoring per policy. Ensure Restraint Audit Form is completed each shift. Documentation: Provide complete and correct documentation on all flow sheets and chart forms: Admission Assessment, pain scale assessment and reassessment before and after intervention, daily flow sheet, restraint flow sheet, diabetes flow sheet, educational flow sheet, Kardex Care Plan, risk assessment & reassessment upon fall, MAR equipment & supplies, intra- and inter‑facility transfer forms, belonging tracking form. Ensure orders are transcribed and signed off prior to the end of the shift. Complete 12h/24h chart checks. Education: Provide patient/family education as needed, room/unit orientation, Plan of Care. Identify knowledge deficits related to diagnoses and care. Use and provide MICROMEDEX information to patients and families. Transfer & Discharge: Collaborate with Case Manager and/or physician regarding discharge planning. Ensure all transfer paperwork is completed and belongings are sent with patient. Equipment: Utilize patient care equipment appropriately and safely according to manufacturer guidelines (IV pump, feeding pump, PCA pump, epidural pump, sequential compression device, wound VAC, heating pad/pump). Communication: Communicate effectively with all members of the healthcare team including patient and family: shift-to-shift report, physician rounds, patient/family interactions, MDP rounds, hand‑off reports, facility e‑mail, student/new employee/contract employee. Organization: Manage time effectively; organize and prioritize responsibilities. Take meal breaks without incurring overtime and complete shift on time. Regulatory Agency Requirements: National Patient Safety Goals, patient identifiers, unapproved abbreviations, Universal Protocol (Procedural Time Out), hand‑off medication reconciliation, clinical alarms, hazardous waste management, biohazard, medication sharps, HIPAA, OSHA requirements, JCAHO continuous survey readiness, critical values, write‑down, read‑back, follow‑up telephone order, appropriate, documented, signed, timed, dated, stamped, entered into unit log; maintain safe practice in the work environment, correct body mechanics, electrical safety, infection control procedures, hand washing. Management of the Care of Medical Surgical Patients (6N): Demonstrate ability to manage patients with THA and TKA; spinal surgery; maintain isolation precautions, respiratory and nutrition care for cystic fibrosis patients; manage medications and isolation for abdominal organ transplant patients; institute safety precautions and skin care for hepatic encephalopathy. Management of the Care of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit/S: Manage complex critically ill patients (neurosurgery, thoracic‑forgut, gastric bypass, orthopedic, liver/kidney/pancreas transplants, hepatobiliary, open heart, heart and lung transplants). Manage advanced therapeutic modalities: hemodynamic monitoring, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT, CVVHD), ventriculostomy, intracranial pressure monitoring, ventricular assist devices, balloon pumps. Management of the Care of Patients in the Stepdown/Telemetry Units: Manage high acuity patients requiring specialized monitoring and care (status post open heart, heart transplant, lung transplant, liver/kidney transplants, orthopedics, hepatobiliary, general surgeries, thoracic‑forgut, gastric bypass, neurology, neurosurgery). Manage advanced therapeutic modalities: ventilator care, arterial/CVP lines, ventricular assist devices, lumbar drains. Management of the Care of Patients Undergoing Dialysis Treatment: Initiate, perform and terminate all dialysis treatments according to policy and dialysis standards of care. Review all orders and labs prior to initiating treatments. Inform patient of treatment plan. Complete all documentation completely and according to policy on the dialysis treatment record. Perform all pre‑treatment safety checks. Perform appropriate machine maintenance. Check charts for dialysis orders prior to arriving on the unit with the dialysis equipment. Call physicians for orders early in the shift when orders for dialysis have been placed, but no treatment orders are written. Complete med/surg dialysis treatments on 3S whenever there are more than 2 med/surg patients scheduled. Management of the Care of the Psychiatric Patient: Engage patients in therapeutic interactions; maintain therapeutic milieu; assess and monitor for patient safety (contraband assessment upon admission, change of shift and prn); initiate and participate in treatment planning; monitor locked doors; log visitors and assess contraband; follow patients’ legal status every shift and communicate with Department of Mental Health and other agencies as required. Administer psychotropic medications only after proper consent and documentation; initiate and participate in treatment planning; submit Fire Arms Reporting Form. Behavioral Restraints: Demonstrate de‑escalation techniques to prevent the need for behavioral restraint/seclusion. Apply behavioral restraint/seclusion when appropriate. Continuously monitor patients for safety (or delegate as appropriate). Ensure physician assessment of patient within 1 hour of application of restraint/seclusion and then at least every 8 hours. Obtain physician orders per policy. Notify Manager of all behavioral restraint incidences. Contact significant other as allowed by patient. Complete debriefing with patient if appropriate after the incident. Quality Measures: Accurately identify patients that fit Core Measure criteria; complete Core Measure documentation; identify and participate in data collection and process improvements related to Nurse Sensitive Quality Indicators. Professional Development: Participate in professional hospital/nursing activities, Relief Charge Nurse, nursing committees/councils, hospital teams, unit based projects, research. Published peer‑review article. Bonus points: Preceptor (5), Professional Certification (5), more than 8 non‑mandatory CEH (3), USCUH Nurse Week Recognition (5), monthly hospital or unit spirit award winner (1), public nursing recognition (3). Perform other related duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN). One year acute inpatient hospital experience in the United States as a licensed RN. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to speak, read and write English proficiently. Knowledge of medical procedures and conditions and the ability to understand, follow and successfully perform duties, including whole blood collection and apheresis procedures, in accordance with administrative and clinical policies, regulations and procedures. Committed to excellence in patient care and customer service. Demonstrate ability to work independently with minimal direction and supervision. Preferred Qualifications Specialty Certification. Licenses / Certifications Registered Nurse – RN (CA Board of Registered Nursing). Basic Life Support (BLS) – Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association. Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) – If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date (required within LA City only). Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association. Salary The hourly rate range for this position is $44.00 - $95.00. Equal Opportunity Employer USC is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. USC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Application Process To apply, please submit your application through the USC Human Resources portal. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Southern California