Senior Registered Nurse - Rapid Assessment/Rapid Response Team

Location: Parkland: 14th FLR BLK 600

**NIGHT SHIFT**

Full Time Position

Primary Purpose
The RN is a licensed professional who uses the Parkland nursing professional practice model to coordinate patient care delivery, that focuses on a particular patient population(s)/specific health conditions, by the health care team. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses the patient, identifies nursing diagnoses based on responses to health problems, develops and implements an individualized plan of care, and evaluates the patient's response. The RN utilizes knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to assist patients to transition through the healthcare encounter without any preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions to health care personnel based on the Texas Nursing Practice Act, each patient's condition and the competencies of the employee.

Minimum Specifications

Education

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing.

Experience

• Must have three (3) to five (5) years of critical care experience.
• Prefer experience in an acute care setting.

Equivalent Education and/or Experience

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Must have current, valid RN license or temporary RN license from the Texas Board of Nursing, or valid Compact RN license.
• Must have current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from one of the following:
  
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Military Training Network
• Must have current Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification on hire or placement in role. Certification must be from one of the following:
  
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Military Training Network
• Must have NIHSS certification within 30 days of hire.
• Upon hire, individuals must have Trauma Certification completion card within 6 months. Current incumbents as of November 6, 2024, must obtain this certification by May 6, 2025.
• Preferred Advanced Certification (CCRN or CEN) upon hire.

Skills or Special Abilities

• Provides care for assigned patient population in accordance with the current State of Texas Nursing Practice Act, established protocols, multi-disciplinary plan of care, and clinical area specific standards. Provides continuous assessment, consults with other team members as required and provides nursing care which demonstrates patient centered/patient valued care. Exercises independent judgment in providing nursing care and takes initiative in recommending changes to care plan.
• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills in working with physicians, nursing and ancillary healthcare team members. Must demonstrate knowledge of Parkland policies and procedures, nursing standards of practice and be capable of staff leadership.
• Must be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and possess good oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide direction to non-nursing staff, serves as a preceptor, and serve on rotation as a staff and/or Charge Nurse.
• Must be able to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors and be capable of handling complex or clinical specialty care, and initiate changes utilizing independent judgment with minimum supervision.
• As applicable, will be required to demonstrate acceptable knowledge of nursing standards of care for specialty unique critical care area.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the development and implementation of new protocols, nursing programs, policies and procedures specific to the clinical area and which support the standards, missions, goals and objectives of the Parkland. By representing the Rapid Assessment Team on a hospital committee or as a device/skill superuser, or leading a process improvement/education project, or participating in data collection.
• Serves as a patient advocate, by focusing on patient needs, patient rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences. Ensures positive working relationships are maintained with all Parkland internal and external customers, employees, etc. Serves as a resource for patients, physicians and other healthcare team members. Serves as resource for early recognition of patient decline, leads emergency responses, and facilitates proactive patient care. Provides patient care educational information and training to patient and family members. May participate in community outreach activities (such as health fairs, community collaborations or outreach clinics) as assigned.
• Maintains and implements knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines that impact or govern nursing practice, and ensures Parkland is in compliance. Develops effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal laws and the program requirements of accreditation agencies and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as necessary to ensure proper understanding. Maintains and updates knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, and appropriate utilization of supplies and materials.
• Leads response to patient's worsening condition, as needed, by assessing the patient, coordinating timely interventions, communicating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, and reassessing patient response to ensure appropriate patient care.
• Facilitates the meeting of evidence based practice, patient care metrics during Rapid Response, Stroke, STEMI, Sepsis, and Code Blue calls.
• Facilitates early recognition of patient decline through the assessment of patient identified by the EWS (Early Warning System), purposeful rounding, and patient follow ups.
• Completes quality forms during and after an activation event of the Rapid Assessment Team, in order to identify potential issues and provide feedback to management and healthcare staff.
• Responsible for completing daily rapid assessment team nursing responsibilities to promote high quality proactive patient nursing care, and outcomes. Assesses individual patient needs, develops staffing and plan of care in collaboration with team members, directs and performs clinical nursing skills directly related to patient care during rapid response team activations.
• Responsible for the prompt response to outpatient, visitor, and employee medical emergencies in the designated response areas.
• Serves as an education resource for patients, families and Parkland staff. Evaluates patient needs and takes initiative in providing quality services such as language interpretation and/or arranging care. Arranges and performs in-services.
• Takes responsibility for having the necessary equipment and supplies and maintains an order, safe and clean environment. Communicates with physicians, nursing and ancillary staff to coordinate activities and ensure effective, efficient procedures and care. Delegates tasks in response to directives in a timely and appropriate manner and demonstrates responsiveness to innovation and cross-discipline expertise.
• Identifies ways to improve work process and improve patient and customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor and implements and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals and mission of the assigned area and Parkland.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements and trends in nursing practice by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals and actively participating in professional organizations. Maintains State of Texas Licensure as a Registered Nurse, plus any additional required licensures/certifications. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Assists other staff in providing direction and leadership to licensed and non-licensed staff. Participates in information exchanges with nursing and other Parkland staff that support the standards, missions, goals and objectives of the department and Parkland. Serves as a preceptor or trainer to newer nursing staff members. Must serve on rotation as a primary Rapid Assessment Team nurse.
• Responsible for collaborative teamwork effort to ensure positive working relationships.

Job Accountabilities

• Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the area. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.

Requisition ID: 988670