About MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - 3 Main

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is a 36-bed unit providing expert nursing care for infants with a number of critical diagnoses. It is one of two Level IV NICUs in Washington, D.C., which is the highest level designated by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some of the most commonly seen are:

·Neonatal Encephalopathy

·Extreme Prematurity

·Respiratory Distress Syndrome

·Surgical needs

·Sepsis/Septic Shock

·Neurological Disorders

·Gastrointestinal Disorders

·Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

·Genetic and/or Metabolic Disorders

The NICU at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is the only NICU in the Washington, D.C. region where a Clinical Nurse can participate in high-risk deliveries, be trained as an ECMO tech and participate in both flight and ground transports. Our NICU is the major referral center for all MedStar-affiliated facilities, as well as a number of community hospitals in the tri-state area. The NICU offers the following innovative treatments and technologies:

·ECMO: ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

·Total Body Therapeutic Hypothermia

·Bedside Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation

·Inhaled Nitric Oxide

·High Frequency Oscillator Ventilation

·High Frequency Jet Ventilation

The NICU Nursing Staff is incredibly engaged, with a remarkable number of nurses participating in Shared Governance and the Clinical Advancement Program. The following committees/councils are Clinical Nurse-led and driven:

·Parent Advisory Support Group

·Practice Council

·Scheduling Committee

·Bereavement Committee

·Developmental Care Committee

Schedule:

·Flexible Per Diem / PRN Schedule

·Six shifts in a schedule required, including at least 4 weekend or night shifts with ability to pick up more

·Self scheduling; Six Week Schedules

Position Summary

Professional care provider who assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the nursing care of patients from admission through discharge. In collaboration with the patient and family, provides theory-based professional nursing care and coordinates care delivery with various members of the interdisciplinary team.

Minimum QualificationsEducation: Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred. Associates degree from an accredited School of nursing required. BSN enrollment required within 6 months of start date and completion within 3 years.

Experience: 2 years of RN experience required, including at least one recent year in a Level III or IV NICU.

License/Certifications: DC Registered Nurse License required; CPR (Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation) required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Basic math skills. Verbal and written communication skills. Basic computer skills required.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

·Standard Job Duty: Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, safety standards, and MedStar SPIRIT Values. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.

·Collects and analyzes significant patient’s information that pertains to physical, psychological, socio-cultural, economic, spiritual, and life-style behaviors and efficiently leveraging available technology.

·Functions autonomously providing relationship-based care that promotes continuous, consistent, efficient and accountable delivery of nursing care using the nursing process with a favorable focus on patient experience.

·Identifies current and potential complex problems of specific patient populations, critically analyzes trends and changes in patient status, and plans appropriate interventions.

·Incorporates evidence-based practice and research into patient care delivery, with a focus on quality and safety.

·Serves as a patient advocate by independently communicating clinical concerns, including ethical decisions, in a timely manner to other members of the interdisciplinary team.

·Practices within legal boundaries of nurse practice act and possesses a theoretical understanding of the universal ethical principles. Recognizes ethical discourse in practice and may seek other resources in advocacy for support and counsel.

·Individualizes patients plan of care, focusing on short and long-range goals and effectively uses a variety of teaching resources to meet the learning needs of patients and families.

·Communicates patient information clearly and accurately in verbal and written format.

·Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment. Identifies actual and potential patient safety issues and acts accordingly while incorporating HRO quality and safety principles.

·Demonstrates effective leadership behaviors. Establishes priorities and delegates tasks to peers and ancillary staff as appropriate to scope of practice and unit requirements.

·Effectively uses problem identification and resolution skills, focusing on the clinical scenario to resolve the apparent concern. Follows the chain of command by consulting with other healthcare professionals and seeks assistance as needed.

·Independently communicates concerns in a timely manner and makes suggestions to members of the interdisciplinary team by seeking and using resources effectively.

·Evaluates the patient's response to treatment and progress toward short and long-range goals and revises nursing interventions as appropriate.

·Identifies patient and family needs prior to discharge. Initiates and monitors discharge planning activities in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team.

·Independently identifies resources and strategies to enhance professional growth and development and commits to life-long learning. Engages in professional growth and development through reflective practice from performance feedback and participates in entity professional development activities.

·Supports and contributes to the unit, department, entity, and organizational goals inclusive of the mission, vision, and values.

·Standard Job Duty: Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.

·Standard Job Duty: Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

·Maintains direct observation of patient when functioning as an Observation Attendant.