Job Summary:

The Critical Care Nurse (CCN) is a member of the intensive care team and has primary responsibilities in the management and care of critically ill patients in an intensive care setting. The CCN has specialized skill and knowledge related to the unique ICU setting and performs physical exams, collects and documents data, conducts approved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, orders and schedules laboratory studies and professional consultations, prescribes appropriate interventions and medications, and provides direct patient care services in a specific intensive care unit. The CCN contributes to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, and consulting, and provides leadership to the hospital and nursing profession.

Job Responsibilities:

• Able to perform accurate need to physical assessment
• Recognize, interpret, intervene in abnormal lab values
• Correctly place a patient on cardiac monitor
• Identify, interpret and treat abnormal EKG rhythms
• Safely manage a patient on the ventilator
• Administer emergency medications
• Correctly perform ACLS techniques
• Understand the patho physiology of patients in advance disease state of health (CVA, Shock states, AMI, Cardiac arrest, DKA and other metabolic states
• Ability to calculate critical care drugs, initiate and titrate appropriately
• Obtain, manage and interpret hemodynamic data measurements
• Assists with insertion and maintenance of invasive catheters, A-line, CVC, Pulmonary Catheter, Epidural Catheter
• Ability to critically think, organize and manage time well.
• Efficient communication as well as produce appropriate report
• Provide direct clinical services for critically ill neonates, pediatric, or adult patients with multi-organ trauma or multi-system failure, according to established protocols and utilizes evidence-based clinical practice standards under the supervision of the ICU supervising physician.
• Obtain patient health histories and complete physical examinations. Document pertinent normal and abnormal findings.
• Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests. Explain the necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of procedure(s) to patients, patient's family, staff, and healthcare learners.
• Perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon patient's clinical status. Document patient preparation and response to procedure(s).
• Formulate and implement treatment plan for acute illness management in collaboration with the designated primary supervising physician and/or attending back-up physician(s). Document in medical records and appropriate narrative summaries. Utilize prescriptive privileges as allowed by the District of Columbia Boards of Medical Examiners and Nursing. Document all prescriptions in patient's medical record.
• Assess patient for change in status and institute appropriate interventions. Initiate necessary emergency interventions to stabilize patient.
• Provide family-centered care by communicating with the family regarding the changing health care needs of their infant, child, or family member. Assesses family adaptation, coping skills and the need for crisis or other intervention. Utilize current research and evidence-based decision-making in all clinical practice. Incorporate clinical research findings in the development and implementation of standards of care.
• Perform and participate in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical research.
• Serve as a clinical leader consultant to nursing, members of the healthcare team and to the larger community.
• Participate in and support accreditation, compliance, and regulatory activities of the organization.
• Identify educational needs of the family and participate in teaching opportunities.
• Assess educational needs, plan, provide, and evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, interdisciplinary healthcare team, and community. Precept new nurse practitioners, other advanced practice nurses, and healthcare learners.
• Participate in the development, review, and evaluation of Critical Care Nurse practice protocols within legal guidelines in compliance with United Medical Center policies.
• Role model advanced practice professional nursing through conduct, appearance, communication, mutual respect, leadership, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations and continuing education. Enhance the body of knowledge of nursing or area of specialization through exchange of ideas and knowledge in professional organizations, oral presentations, posters, research activities, and written publications.

Job Requirements:

• 1 year experience
• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing. BSN degree in nursing preferred.
• Current D.C. licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse
• Have and maintain current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications