RN II - NICU

Position Overview At Houston Methodist, the Registered Nurse (RN) II position is a licensed staff nurse, an experienced clinician, functioning at the Competent to Proficient stage of Benner's model of clinical practice. The RN II position provides professional nursing care to a diverse patient population, conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment, patient education, and maintenance of medical records. It delivers direct patient care efficiently and effectively for patients with varied and complex needs. The RN II collaborates with physicians and the interprofessional health care team to facilitate, coordinate and maintain compassionate, efficient, quality care and achieve desired treatment outcomes. The RN II demonstrates clinical competence using technology, administering medications, performing procedures, managing emergencies, and acting as a patient and family advocate to monitor and maintain patient rights. They assume leadership roles, including charge nurse or preceptor roles, and may contribute to unit, shared governance, or hospital‑wide initiatives. FLSA Status Non-exempt Qualifications Education: Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in Licenses and Certifications. Experience: Twelve months registered nurse experience in a healthcare environment. Licenses and Certifications (Required): RN – Registered Nurse, Texas State Licensure, Texas Board of Nursing; PSV Compact Licensure – must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency); BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA); NRP – Neonatal Resuscitation or Instructor (AHA, AAP) within 4 months. Licenses and Certifications (Preferred): Magnet – ANCC Recognized Certification. Knowledge and Abilities Demonstrates skills and competencies necessary to safely perform assigned job, as determined by ongoing assessments and performance evaluations. Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English for essential job functions. Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers with a customer‑service focus. Strong assessment, organizational, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks. Functions independently and uses judgment in interactions with the health care team and patients’ families. Applies critical thinking and clinical judgment to work autonomously per the Nurse Practice Act. Manages time efficiently and contributes professional growth per the Clinical Career Path program. Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and related products. People Essential Functions Uses therapeutic communication, active listening, and teaching to establish relationships with patients, families, and the interprofessional health care team. Contributes to teamwork by being aware of unit acuity, offering assistance, and responding positively to requests. Collaborates to foster healthy work relationships, seeks guidance from and offers guidance to the health care team, and applies feedback to improve outcomes. Implements staff education specific to patient populations and unit processes; coaches, mentors, and may provide preceptorship; promotes peer‑to‑peer accountability to improve department metrics. Service Essential Functions Follows patient and family‑centered care standards as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment, and maintains medical records in a culturally diverse and inclusive manner. Develops, updates, and communicates the plan of care, including discharge planning, in partnership with the patient, family, and interprofessional health care team. Prioritizes care based on patient needs, abilities, and preferences; advocates for patients and families to resolve clinical and ethical concerns. Provides patient teaching based on learning needs, uses appropriate resources, and plans for post‑discharge care; evaluates comprehension and adapts methods. Helps improve the unit‑based patient satisfaction score through peer‑to‑peer accountability to service standards. Quality and Safety Essential Functions Follows standards of care related to the nursing process as outlined in the professional practice document. Adheres to regulatory and professional practice requirements; identifies improvement areas using evidence‑based research to achieve core measures and patient safety outcomes. Provides and adjusts care for complex patients, coordinating care with the interprofessional team based on patient assessment and accurate documentation. Improves quality and safety scores on the unit‑based scorecard through peer accountability, incident reporting, and collaboration with the team. Finance Essential Functions Manages time independently, documents care promptly, minimizes incidental overtime, and prioritizes daily tasks. Contributes to unit resource utilization, including capital and operational budget inputs. Assists in meeting department financial targets by decreasing length of stay and optimizing efficiency per department specifications. Growth and Innovation Essential Functions Identifies and presents opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and improvement in patient care or unit operations using evidence‑based literature. Offers innovative solutions through evidence‑based practice, performance improvement projects, and shared governance activities. Champions new care pathways or service line implementation to improve community service; supports initiatives and presents options to leadership. Supplemental Requirements Work Attire Uniform: No Scrubs: Yes Business professional: No Other (department approved): No On‑Call Note that employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc.) regardless of selection below. On Call: Yes Travel May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: Yes May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No #J-18808-Ljbffr Houston Methodist