POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for the delivery of patient care through the nursing process of assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementation and evaluation. Responsible for directing and coordinating all nursing care for departmental specific patients based on established clinical nursing practice standards. Collaborates with other professional disciplines to ensure effective and efficient patient care delivery and achievement of desired patient outcomes. Supports the organization vision and mission. Utilizes knowledge of patient’s age and cultural diversity into the provision of patient care. Contributes to the provision of quality nursing care through performance improvement technique that demonstrates positive outcomes in patient care.

The Pediatric ICU RN manages care primarily to the critically ill pediatric population with a wide range of acute and chronic medical/surgical conditions and/or diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocols of healthcare organization. The tasks and responsibilities include:

• Cares for patients with critical and multi-system illnesses and injuries including cancer and blood disorders.
• Assisting and monitoring patients during conscious, moderate, or IV sedation.
• Administering chemotherapy and biotherapy treatments,
• Provides professional nursing service based in the basic concepts of growth and development.
• Assesses plans and evaluates patient care needs
• Carries out physician and/or associates orders.
• Calculates dosages for and understands the nursing implication of medications.
• Recognizes the uniqueness of pain and pain management in all ages and provides care accordingly.
• Provides family-centered care based on cognitive, psychosocial and developmental considerations for the ages of the patient collaborating with families and members of the multidisciplinary teams to achieve desired outcomes.
• Provides respiratory and ventilator management and monitoring for patients.
• Serves as the primary coordinator of all discipline for well-coordinated patient care.
• Monitors, records and communicates patient condition as appropriate utilizing computerized documentation systems.
• Instructs and educates patients and families.
• Assesses and coordinates patient’s discharge planning needs with members of the healthcare team.
• Cares for patients at risk for abduction following established prevention procedures.
• Provides age and culturally appropriate care.
• Orients and mentors new staff members
• Follows Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

POSITION EDUCATION/ QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing required (BSN preferred)
• Current registered nurse’s license in the State of Texas
• Current BLS certification required
• PALS and ACLS certification required within 6 months of hire
• TNCC required within 12 months of hire
• Willingness to obtain APHON Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Provider after 12 months of hire
• Job requires cross training to like areas and willingness to be crossed trained to other areas
• Willingness to be trained for charge nurse
• Willingness to become a preceptor after two years of nursing experience
• Willingness to actively participate in unit specific and/or hospital committee
• Organizational skills in necessary
• Proficiency in English – Verbal and written and computer skills required
• Spanish proficiency preferred
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of nursing, administration, and physicians
• ENPC Certification highly recommended
• Obtain national certification: Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) and/or Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) highly recommended once eligible.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITES:

• Performs family-centered evidence based nursing care through the nursing process of assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Implements physician’s orders in a safe and accurate manner.
• Assists with admitting, discharging and transferring patients.
• Transcribes and implements new physician orders.
• Adapts to the needs of the unit by demonstrating flexibility/adaptability.
• Maintains detailed and accurate records of nursing actions.
• Participates in health/therapeutic counseling, teaching/emotional support for patients and significant others
• Makes rounds on assigned patients and prioritizes patient’s needs.
• Maintains a safe and clean environment for patients and co-workers.
• Provides and receives reports in a status of patients at the change of shifts.
• Administers medication and therapies within the scope of safe nursing practice.
• Formulates, modifies and implements goal oriented patient care plan according to facility policies.
• Assumes responsibility to report clinical limitations or the need for assistance to the supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Abides by the rules and regulations set forth by the Board of Nurse Examiners
• Adheres to policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of services.
• Informs the charge nurse of nay anticipated and/or actual issues/problems.
• Maintains current with all new policies and procedures published.
• Provides direction to non-licensed nursing staff in the delivery of patient care.
• Anticipates potential problems situations and intervenes to offset any adverse impact,
• Contacts the organ procurement organization in order to satisfy regulatory requirements for the determination of medical suitability for organ, tissue and eye donation; completes certificate of referral/request and places same in the medical record.
• Builds a positive work environment by guiding employees to support the mission of the hospital, providing developmental opportunities and encouraging teamwork.
• Ensures the distribution and delivery of equipment/supplies as necessary.
• Flexibility in schedule to meet unit needs and weekend/holiday requirements.
• Plans and coordinates times schedule with peers to provide coverage.
• Participates in unit based council and/or hospital committees.
• Attends mandatory unit and hospital meetings/classes.
• Ensures care is delivered to each patient in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Texas and ANA Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice.