RN ICU FT Nights

Kindred Hospital San Antonio is a long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital specializing in the treatment of patients recovering from post-intensive care and medically complex conditions. Our hospital provides both intensive care and telemetry-level services, offering advanced monitoring and support for patients requiring extended medical care. With a multidisciplinary team dedicated to personalized treatment plans, we focus on helping patients achieve significant recovery and transition to the next level of care.

Job Summary

• Provides quality patient care to critically ill patients, through the nursing process of Assessment, Planning, Intervention, and Evaluation
• Serves as a patient advocate at all times
• Supervises the nursing care provided to each patient by other caregivers
• Develops the plan for nursing care as a result of coordination with the patient, family and staff of other disciplines as necessary
• Applies critical thinking in order to promote positive clinical outcomes
• Ensures patient education. Participates in discharge planning

Essential Functions 

• Maintains the standard of nursing care and implements the policies and procedures of the hospital and the nursing department
• Assesses the patient on admission within the required time frame. Makes referral to other disciplines based on the assessment, such as rehabilitation and nutritional services
• Develops a nursing care plan for assigned patient on admission and updates the plan of care as needed
• Ensures the plan is discussed and developed as a result of the coordination of patient and family and the interdisciplinary team
• Able to release, remove, and reapply restraints to patient. Ensures patient is in proper position and alignment
• Documents patient admission assessment and reassessments, patient care plans, and other pertinent information completely in the patient’s electronic medical record
• Demonstrates correct use of Biomedical equipment such as defibrillator, Suction machine, IV and feeding pumps, PCA pump, blood glucose monitoring machine
• Demonstrates safe and effective delivery of patient care such as completing team/patient assignments on time, making effective use of available time, showing initiative and teamwork.
• Obtains consents for procedures and blood transfusions, ensuring patient has necessary information to make an informed decision
• Receives physician’s orders, ensures transcription is accurate, and order entry is accurate
• Follows through to ensure order is carried out
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patient change in condition such as Cardiac rhythm, respiratory distress, GI bleed, pulmonary emboli/ edema, diabetic Ketoacidosis, adverse drug reaction and Blood transfusion reaction, etc. Institutes emergency action, notifies physician, obtains orders, etc.
• Completes and documents patient admission assessment and reassessments as required according to policy
• Reports pertinent observations and reaction regarding patients to the appropriate person (i.e., physician, supervisor, charge nurse) and records these observations accurately
• Administers medications with verbalized knowledge of the action, side effects, correct dosages and route according ICU policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates ability to recognize and Institute arrhythmia protocol for the following Cardiac rhythms V-tach, V-fib, PVC’s, asystole, 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree heart block, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter
• Directs, supervises, and evaluates nursing care provided to patients
• Administers medications utilizing the seven “rights” of medication administration: right patient, route, time, medication, dose, reason and documentation
• Assist physicians with special tests and procedures such as thoracentesis, paracentesis, arterial line and bronchoscopy
• Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner
• Participates in orientation of new personnel and performance evaluations of nursing staff
• Assists team members in giving care to patients or administers direct care when professional nursing skills and judgment are needed
• Coordinates nursing care of patients when scheduled for therapy or procedures by other departments
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, or sepsis
• Participates in the maintenance of a clean and safe environment
• Is knowledgeable about the emotional and rehabilitative aspects of care and is capable of applying appropriate therapeutic interventions
• Provides assessment utilizing current ACLS certification and protocols renders lifesaving first aid and makes appropriate referral to the nearest organization that is capable of providing needed services
• Demonstrates ability to manage various types of tubes and other devices such as Foley /straight catheter, feeding tubes, chest tubes, JP drains, Hemovacs. T-tubes, wound drains, ostomy care, suprapubic catheter, continuous bladder irrigation
• Demonstrates correct set up and performance monitoring of hemodynamic systems such as Swan-ganz catheter, arterial catheter, and cardiac output
• Demonstrates accurate knowledge of critical Lab values and their normal ranges. Reports and documents appropriately
• Demonstrates ability to verify correct lead telemetry placement
• Validates telemetry strips every 4 hours and PRN. Documents appropriately
• Participates in assessing and meeting patient and family education needs
• Provides complete patient report to oncoming RN, ensures documentation is complete, physician orders are signed off, and patient rooms are in order
• Communicates pertinent information to RN, physician, and patients as needed
• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean and wears appropriate identification while on duty
• Completes annual health, safety, and education requirements. Maintains professional growth and development
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and/or employee information to assure patient and/or employee rights are protected
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care to the patient population served
• Attends all mandatory in-services and staff meetings
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices
• Communicates the mission, ethics, and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department
• Maintains current licensure/certification for position, if applicable
• Demonstrates Guest Relation’s skills to patients, physicians, visitors, employees, and any other individuals with whom they may come in contact
• Follows departmental and hospital Health, Safety, Security, Hazardous Materials policies and procedures

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition
• Basic computer knowledge
• Organize tasks, develop action plans, set priorities, and function under stressful situations
• Maintain good working relationship with co-workers
• Must read, write and speak fluent English
• Must have good and regular attendance
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Education

• Graduate from an accredited Registered Nursing program

Licenses/Certifications

• Current state licensure as Registered Nurse
• BCLS and ACLS certifications required

Experience

• Minimum one year training and experience in Critical Care
• Able to communicate effectively in English- both written and verbal