POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible to the Unit Director/Manager/designee for overall nursing practice. Provides professional nursing care to treat human responses to life-threatening problems, based on the American Association of Critical Care Nursing (AACN) Standards.  This includes the responsibility for assessment of the patients’ needs, development of a plan of care, implementation of nursing measures and evaluation of the effectiveness of the nursing care and other treatments to protect, maintain, and restore health for the pediatric through geriatric age population.  The Critical Care nurse recognizes cardiac arrhythmias and life-threatening emergency situations and takes appropriate action.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. Completion of an accredited registered nurse program required; BSN preferred.
2. Proof of successful completion of a course in ECG or two years of relevant experience.
3. A trauma nurse course is required within one year of assignment to the department.

Experience:

1. Previous RN experience preferred.
2. Charge qualified preferred.
3. Two (2) years of critical care experience strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Effectively functions as a team member and as a liaison between patient and staff.
2. Supports and encourages harmonious communication skills.
3. Job requires strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
4. Communicates in highly professional manner at all times.
5. Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with ill people; uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families, and co-workers at all times.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania.
2. Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.
3. Within four months from the hire/transfer date, meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and renews ACLS every two years.
4. Within four months from the hire/transfer date, obtains National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives minimal supervision from the Director/Manager/Nursing Supervisor.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

The Registered Nurse will only have supervision of others while serving as Charge Nurse.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Assessment is ongoing for all critically ill patients to promote optimal outcome.
   1. Conducts a comprehensive health history and physical assessment.
   2. Prioritizes patient problems/needs according to the actual/potential threat.
2. Develops and implements a plan of care based on ongoing assessments.  A problem list is developed, prioritized and updated to meet critically ill patients' needs, which includes discharge planning and appropriate referrals.
3. Manages life-threatening complications of critically ill patients per Mount Nittany Medical Center policies and procedures and based on AACN standards.  Interventions are established to prevent life-threatening complications, maintain airway and ventilation, hemodynamic stability, and stable heart rhythm.
4. Accepts responsibility and accountability for maintaining knowledge and skills in critical care practice.
   1. Maintains an awareness of professional issues.
   2. Updates knowledge and clinical skills on an ongoing basis.
   3. Remains current on concepts, trends, scientific advances, biomedical equipment and ethics relating to Critical Care Nursing by updating knowledge and clinical skills on ongoing basis.
   4. Ensures the minimum qualifications of position are met at all times including licensure, certification and registration.
   5. Completes mandatory education and participates in annual competency fair.
5. Assists with temporary pacemaker insertion and ambulance transport as needed.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.