NEEDED: REGISTERED NURSE – ICU

STATUS: Full-Time, Part-Time, PRN

LOCATION: Onsite Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Urgent/Critical Care Nursing Services located at 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• RN (Specialty Care - ICU/PACU/Cath Lab/Bronch, Emergency Department)
• US CITIZEN
• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Graduate of a professional, accredited nursing school approved by the appropriate State
• Unrestricted license from a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia
• Current ACLS Certification
• Current BLS
• One (1) Year experience in Critical Care Nursing (within the past 5 years)
• Negative TB test
• Pre-employment drug screening
• Must meet physical requirements

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:(Acute Medicine, Acute Psychiatry, CLC, Ambulatory Care)

• Will utilize broad based clinical knowledge to effectively assess, implement health promotion and prevention interventions, manage acute and chronic illness states, assist patient/residents in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning rehabilitation, evaluate patient/resident response to actual or potential health problems, and provide supportive measures for the dying patient/resident and their significant others.
• Maintain patient/resident confidentiality and a safe patient/resident care environment, including familiarity with requirements such as medication administration, patient/resident/family education, discharge process, restraint usage, hazardous waste disposal, etc., as defined by The Joint Commission and all other VA regulatory bodies (i.e. Long Term Care Institute and Office of Inspector General).
• Provide patient/resident-centered care by performing the following tasks:
• Assess the health care needs of the patient/resident and maintain or develop a plan of care to meet interdisciplinary goals
• Assess and act on significant changes in the patient’s/resident’s health condition
• Carry out the plan of care by performing/assigning delegated tasks
• Collect and document pertinent data into the electronic patient/resident medical record
• Complete nursing assessments within required time frames, and in accordance with policy and procedure
• Identify and act on predictable needs of the patient/resident
• Meet the health care needs of patient/resident by assessing and assisting the patient/resident to meet expressed needs
• Meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients/residents and/or families
• Prioritize and complete tasks within the RN’s assigned shift
• Update patient/resident care plans
• Notify assigned physician of any changes in condition
• Report incidents of verbal or physical abuse immediately to the Nurse Manager of the unit they are assigned; or designated off-shift nursing leadership

Perform the following tasks:

• Head-to-toe assessment
• Insert IV lines
• Care and management of peripheral and central lines, including PICC lines
• Administer medication including IVs
• Coordinate and participate in admission and discharge of patient
• Measure vital signs/hemodynamic monitoring including Pain (the 5th Vital Sign), pulse oximetry, etc.
• Perform wound care including dressing changes (sterile and non-sterile), and obtaining wound cultures as necessary
• Obtain and deliver specimens to lab
• Perform tracheostomy care
• Perform non-acute and/or acute ventilator care, if needed
• Perform suctioning including oral, nasogastic, and tracheostomy
• Perform deep suctioning, which may include obtaining specimens
• Assess for and administer tube feedings
• Assist with routine urinary and bowel elimination including catheters, colostomies, and digital stimulation educate patients/residents and/or families regarding health and diagnoses and medication administration including indications for the medication.
• Respond and assist in an emergency situation
• Provide clinical oversight to Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants and Health Technicians

SCHEDULE: Shifts (Day, Evening, Night, Weekend, etc.) based on the needs of MEDVAMC, providing maximum flexibility to the appropriate VA authority in scheduling.

• MEDVAMC provides nursing services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Temporary nursing services shall supplement full time MEDVAMC staff on an as needed basis as staffing needs arise depending on vacancies, vacations, resignations, and illnesses to ensure required staffing levels are maintained. Notification of required needs may be between 24-48 hours. Coverage may include weekends, federal holidays, days, evenings, or overnights, and are variable within a 24-hour period.
• Shall perform on-site nursing services for varying periods of time and in various areas of MEDVAMC and, based on their qualifications, may be requested to work in areas of the highest need on the date of their scheduled shifts.

ICU RNs shall be required to work any regular or irregular tour, with 8 hour and 12 hour tours typically being:

8 Hour Tour:

• Day 7:30am -4:00pm
• Evening 3:30pm – 12:00 midnight;
• Night 11:30pm – 8:00 am

12 Hour Tour:

• Day 7:30am - 8:00pm
• Night 7:30pm – 8:00am
• (12-hour short shift – 8 hours – 7:00am -3:30pm; 3:00pm – 11:30pm; and 11:00pm -7:30am).

BENEFITS: Competitive Pay Rate, Accrued Vacation, Accrued Sick Leave, 10 Paid Federal Holidays, and Health Benefits Contribution.