Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit
Visalia, CA
Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc.
3x12 hrs

The Rapid Response Nurse utilizes the nursing process (assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation) to delegate, coordinate, collaborate and provide safe therapeutic nursing care to at-risk non-critical care patients early in their course and rapidly mobilize appropriate multidisciplinary resources. The Rapid Response Nurse will also respond to the patient in crisis. Once an RRT has been activated, the Rapid Response Nurse, acts as the leader of the multidisciplinary team, to assess the patient, make judgments/decisions, notifies the attending Physician/Intensivist and takes action regarding a wide range of routine and complex patient issues, operating under guidelines of the Rapid Response Team Standardized Procedures. In addition to assessment and treatment, the Rapid Response Nurse is responsible for documenting the interventions employed and providing a debriefing session for the bedside nursing staff as an educational opportunity.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential

The nurse’s practice is guided by the Code of Ethics. Professional Behavior including interactions with co-workers. Displays our values; treats everyone respectfully. Identifies high risk patients and initiates intervention of ancillary department:

Decisions and actions on behalf of patient/residents are determined in an ethical manner.

Maintains patient confidentiality within legal and regulatory parameters.

Acts as a patient advocate and assists patient in developing skills so they can advocate for themselves.

Delivers care in a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner that preserves patient autonomy, dignity and rights.

Utilizes the nursing process – assessed via direct observation, peer reviews, audits, documentation:

Assessment-successful completion of Physical Assessment validation

Diagnosis

Planning

Outcome Identification

Implementation

Evaluation.

The nurse uses the results of quality of care/performance improvement activities to initiate changes in nursing practice:

Collections clinical data to monitor quality and effectiveness of nursing care.

Identifies aspects of care that are important for quality monitoring and formulates recommendations to improve nursing practice and/or patient outcomes.

Assists in development and implementation of policies, procedures and practice guidelines to improve quality of care and nursing practice.

Participates on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate clinical practice or health services relating to patient care.

Participates in QI studies; involved in task force or committee. Implements suggestions for improving outcomes per unit study results. Independently identifies the problematic areas and recommends problem solving. Shares findings of studies, audits with others. Seeks improvement independently.

Actively participates in outstanding customer service and accepts responsibility in maintaining relationships that are equally respectful to all.

Collaborates and communicates with the patient, family and other health care providers. Utilizes peer review and observation. Monitors documentation for appropriate referrals:

Formulates the plan of care and involves patients in decisions related to care and the delivery of services.

Makes referrals, including provisions for continuity of care, as needed.

Demonstrates the ability to assess and interpret diagnostic data relative to patient age and condition, including, but not limited to lab results, non-invasive and invasive monitoring data and interdisciplinary team notes. Nursing practice reflects the application of knowledge and skills pertaining to all diagnoses, procedures, medications, complications and equipment associated with unit patient population.

Responds to all Code Blue, RRT, Sepsis Alert, Trauma Alert and Stroke Alert pages.

Directs care of the patient using advanced critical care assessment skills and standardized procedures for the stabilization of the medically compromised patient.

Communicates critical information with the primary care physician using SBAR format. Ensures orders are carried out. Uses Medical Staff chain of command when necessary.

Uses excellent communication and teamwork skills with the primary nursing team of the medically compromised patient. Directs the team in the care of the patient until transfer or stabilization.

Communicates clearly with the Intensivist in-house when needed, using SBAR format. Follows recommendations and ensures that orders are carried out.

Assists the primary nursing team in transport of the patient when ordered using appropriate emergency medical equipment and personnel.

Assists the primary nursing team in the hand off of the patient in the care of transfer.

Assists with the care of the patient until successful hand off has occurred and adequate resources to attend to the patient are available.

Conducts debriefings with nurses involved in RRTs to evaluate the process and provide feedback and education. Provides positive feedback or constructive criticism, in an appropriate manner, to all involved in the event.

Functions as a resource for all RNs on duty.

Performs daily rounds for at-risk patients on in-patient units.

Serves as an “impact” nurse, assisting with patient care duties in all critical care areas (ICU, CVICU, ED, ICCU) as requested by team leads or house supervisor.

Provides bedside care and may be assigned patients in times of census need.

Attends 75% of RRT Quality Focus Team committee meetings and RRT staff meetings.

Assists with data collection and process improvement initiatives as needed. Reports data to appropriate committees as needed.

Conducts in-services to promote staff nurse education related to emergency situations including mock codes for in-patient units.

Attends quarterly departmental (for assigned in-patient departments) staff meetings to convey feedback from STARRS University and recent debriefings.

Maintains ongoing RRT education to continue to grow in the RRT field.

Education
Preferred: BSN, MSN or currently enrolled in RN-BSN program

Experience
Required: Minimum of two years RN experience in Critical Care.


Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Critical Care clinical knowledge and experience of managing patients in crisis.
Skills in handling emergency and life-threatening situations.
Effective communicator in a multidisciplinary setting.
Teamwork oriented.
Positive, caring and customer service oriented attitude.
  

The Critical Care Registered Nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for the application of the nursing process and the delivery of patient care in a variety of critical care settings. Consistently performs according to nursing standards and is accountable in managing patient care and assisting others in the management of patient care. Responsibilities include monitoring, assessment, vital sign monitoring, ventilator management, medication administration, intravenous insertion and infusion, central line care, catheters, and maintenance of a running record of the patient’s status. The Critical Care RN must be prepared at all times to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other lifesaving measures for the patients in their care.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Current Registered Nurse License for the state in which the nurse practices
• One year of critical care experience is preferred
• Minimum of one year acute or critical care experience preferred
• Current BLS card; current ACLS/PALS card (per facility requirement)
• TB Questionnaire, PPD or chest x-ray if applicable 
• Current Health certificate (per contract or state regulation) 
• Must meet all federal, state and local requirements 
• Must be at least 18 years of age 

Benefits At Amergis, we firmly believe that our employees are the heartbeat of our organization and we are happy to offer the following benefits:

• Competitive pay & weekly paychecks
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) savings plan
• Awards and recognition programs 

*Benefit eligibility is dependent on employment status. 
About Amergis Amergis, formerly known as Maxim Healthcare Staffing, has served our clients and communities by connecting people to the work that matters since 1988. We provide meaningful opportunities to our extensive network of healthcare and school-based professionals, ready to work in any hospital, government facility, or school. Through partnership and innovation, Amergis creates unmatched staffing experiences to deliver the best workforce solutions.  
Amergis is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.