ICU Relief Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary :

The RN renders collaborative nursing care via the defined department Method of Practice, to caseload of patients for an assigned shift in accordance to the surgical staff practitioner’s treatment plan, nursing standards of care/practice and professional code of ethics. The RN is committed to promoting the health potential of the patient (body-mind-spirit) through the implementation of the nursing process. Demonstrates ability to delegate appropriately and direct staff in the coordination and delivery of care; assumes responsibility for the appropriate utilization of care resources; demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships with others in problem resolution, is sensitive to the needs of patients, families, and fellow employees. 

Job   Relationships :

1. Reports directly to Manager of ICU & Acute/Subacute Services 
2. Reports indirectly to the Director of Nursing ED & Inpatient Services
3. Takes daily direction from the Manager of ICU & Acute/Subacute Services, Assistant Manager of ICU & Acute/Subacute services and the House Supervisor
4. Collaborates with all members of the Health Care Team in the coordination of patient care.
5. Delegates and directs assigned shift caseload team which may be comprised of LVN’s and CNA’s

Occupational Hazards:

Works in the general hospital setting. May be exposed to blood, body fluids, or tissues as well as patients in varying stages of infectious states. 

Samples of Duties:

The information listed below is meant to serve as samples of job duties and responsibilities for positions in this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed. 

• Performs direct patient care in accordance to performance standards listed on Skills checklist according to the defined patient populations for the ED, Acute/Subacute Department, and ICU Department. Is float-trained to units such as the Perinatal Department and PACU, and can operate under the supervision of a nurse from the unit to which they have floated.
  • Demonstrates ability to perform admission, discharge, transfer procedures
  • Utilizes modes of communication to provide continuity of care and to deliver safe care
  • Cares for the patient undergoing an invasive and/or operative procedures
  • Assesses and promotes optimum neurological functioning including pain management
  • Assesses and promotes optimum respiratory and cardiovascular function
  • Demonstrates ability to care for the patient with diabetes and other endocrine challenges
  • Assesses and promotes optimal gastrointestinal functions
  • Assesses fluid electrolyte balance, including blood administration
  • Assesses and promotes optimal musculoskeletal function
  • Assesses and maintains optimal skin integrity including preventative measures
  • Assesses and supports genitourinary function
  • Demonstrates ability to administer medications and has knowledge of actions, route of administration, dosage, and side effects
  • Demonstrates appropriate patient safety practices
  • Provides nursing interventions to assist the patient during the end of life process
• Demonstrates ability to practice as a primary care/critical care RN.
  • Meets the standards of care for: i.e. 
    • Critically ill medical or surgical adult patients
    • Emergency Department Patient population 
    • MS/Telemetry/Swing/Emergency Department Patient population

• Care of the Dying
• Inpatient Hospice population
• Neonate: Birth to 27 days of age
• Pediatric: 28 days through 12 years of age
• Adult: Greater than 13 years of age to 65 years of age
• Geriatric: >65 years of age

• Understands The RN role as part of the Collaborative Practice Model
• Has knowledge of the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care and RN role including referral based on clinical screens to other departments at the time of admission
• Has knowledge of order sets specific to Disease Specific, Protocol, and Physician Specific.
• Provides care based on the approved clinical reference books and Nursing Policies and procedures
• Assures each patient receives NIHD health excellence via the aims of: safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable care
• Understands and models the NIHD Nursing Mission:
  • To be the patient advocate
  • To promote evidence based care
  • To know our patient’s story
  • To protect our patient from harm
  • To educate our patients
  • To actively involve the patient and family in the care
  • For shift worked, coordinates case load of patients as assigned:
  • Delegates and directs care delivery appropriately
  • Coordinates care effectively
  • Rounds on the patient every hour and as needed

• Initiates and revises the nursing process for his/her caseload of patients as evidenced by:
  • Records nursing history by performing a holistic nursing assessment (Patient Profile, Initial Nursing Assessment, Shift Daily Assessment) utilizing the patient/family/significant other, electronic record (HPF, Centricity) other nurses, community agencies, professional staff and other hospital departments at time of admission
  • Evaluates data obtained in the Nursing assessment in making knowledgeable interpretation and reliable predictions; generates a nursing problem list
  • From the problem list, develops goals and an individualized plan of care based on the independent realm of nursing practice which addresses teaching, infection control, safety and biopsychosocial needs as appropriate (interventions identified to meet patient care needs). Interdependent and delegated realms of nursing practice are based on the Medical Staff Practitioner plan of care
  • Coordinates, directs, and actively participates in the implementation of the nursing care plan (nursing care provided)
    • Determines actions and notifies the Medical Staff Practitioner
    • Precepts LVN, ICU orientee, and floated RN
  • Continues to reassess and revise the established care plan in relation to the patient’s response to and the outcomes of the care provided every 12 hours and by exception
  • Contributes to the case management discharge plan of care
  • Implements patient/family education based on the admission diagnosis, and individualized needs (problems)
  • Able to complete the acuity assessment based on the developed care plan for all patients assigned for the shift
• Participates in the development and achievement of department annual goals and objectives (action plans) in accordance with Nursing Services / NIHD goals and overall plan for patient care.
  • Participates on Project team
  • Supports the implementation of action plans
  • Performs other duties as assigned
• Oversees and provides feedback on work performance of the shift staff and other members of the health care team and provides feedback to the Manager of ICU/Acute/Subacute Services and/or House Supervisor
  • Functions as the RN caseload coordinator on assigned patient load
  • Serves as a preceptor to students, volunteers, and staff as assigned
  • Follows chain of command to resolve issues and challenges
• Demonstrates leadership skills and completes float training to:
  • Functions as the Shift Charge (refer to Shift Charge performance standards) Please circle if not applicable – N/A
  • Other unit RN positions when not assigned to ICU
• Complies with departmental staffing practices.
  • Able to use ShiftHound for requesting time off, swapping shifts, picking up open shifts etc.
• Active on selected committees for the purpose of exchanging information and participating in problem solving methods.
  • Attends monthly staff meetings and/or signs off minutes as read
  • Participates on one or more standing committees including but not limited to: Professional Practice Committee, OCC, CCOC, SIAC, Patient Safe Handling, Resuscitation Committee
• Arranges own knowledge base and development by attending formal and informal educational activities.
  • Completes NIHD mandatory competency
  • Completes annual role specific on-going competency plan for ICU
  • Attends NIHD in services and/or programs
  • Completes job skills; BLS, ACLS and PALS
• Assists in identifying patient care problems for investigation, collecting data and applying current concepts to patient care. Has knowledge of Problem Resolution Methods (FOCUS-PDSA, 5S, Six Sigma, Rapid Improvement Cycle, Project Management) and actively participates in QA/PI activities.
  • Identifies opportunities for improvement.
  • Participates in QA/PI project or team
  • Collects data collection as assigned
  • Participates in survey or data completion as requested
  • Reviews literature and shares information with peers
• Participates in the development of and/or revision of process standards such as policies and procedures, standards of care and practice etc.
  • Sends request for updates to Partnership Council and/or brings current evidence based practice ideas to Clinical Consistency Oversight Committee (CCOC).
  • Develops, reviews, and/or critiques process standards as assigned.
  • Complies with department process for updates of Policy and Procedures/Protocols, etc.
• Demonstrates knowledge of annual feedback.
  • Complies with job description performance standards.
  • Completes self-review and personal plan for development.
  • Provides feedback into the performance of others.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• The Mission, Vision, and Values of Northern Inyo Healthcare District; 
• NIHD policies and procedures, including Compliance Program, Code of Conduct, and Confidentiality standards;
• NIHD safety policies and procedures, including the Rainbow Chart, Employee Health, and Infection Prevention standards;
• Basic computer knowledge including: Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word and Intranet

Skills/Abilities to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with NIHD staff and the public;
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with NIHD staff at all levels as well as the public;
• Develop and maintain a high degree of maturity, integrity, and good judgement.
• Must be able to understand, read, and write English clearly
• Interpersonal skills necessary in order to instruct/comfort patients/families; to maintain effective communication/contact with healthcare team members
• Analytical skills necessary in order to prioritize workload and prepare nursing care plans, implement effective nursing care and develop solutions to problems concerning patient’s body, mind, and spirit
  • Ability to learn Computer software programs applicable to patient care and operations process.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

1. Possess a minimum of six months ICU experience 

Education: 

1. Graduate of School of Nursing
2. Current California State License as a Registered Nurse required

Certification: 

1. BLS and ACLS required within one month of hire and on-going
2. PALS required within three months of hire and on-going

Preferred:

Experience:

Education: 

1. BSN/BA preferred

Certification: