What are the responsibilities and job description for the Registered Nurse - Critical Care Rapid Response, University Hospital position at University of South Alabama Health System?
Overview
USA Health is Transforming Medicine along the Gulf Coast to care for the unique needs of our community. USA Health is changing how medical care, education and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists and researchers provide the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall wellbeing of our community.
Responsibilities
Provides expert critical care assessment and intervention for hospitalized patients experiencing clinical deterioration. Responds to Rapid Response Team (RRT) activations, supports early identification of patient decline, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to prevent adverse events such as cardiac arrest, unplanned ICU transfers, and patient harm. Serves as a clinical resource to bedside staff, promoting evidence-based practice, patient safety, and timely escalation of care. Reports to the Director of Critical Care and collaborates with Hospitalists, Intensivists, House Supervisors, Nursing Leadership, Respiratory Therapy, and Rapid Response Team members.
Key Responsibilities
- Rapid Response & Clinical Intervention: Responds to Rapid Response and Code Blue activations throughout the hospital. Performs rapid clinical assessment, stabilizes deteriorating patients, initiates appropriate interventions, and facilitates escalation of care including ICU transfer when indicated.
- Early Recognition of Patient Deterioration: Utilizes early warning scoring systems, clinical judgment, and evidence-based protocols to identify and intervene in patient deterioration. Proactively rounds on high-risk patients and provides consultation to bedside staff regarding concerning clinical trends.
- Clinical Expertise & Support: Serves as a critical care resource for bedside nurses and interdisciplinary teams. Assists with complex clinical situations including respiratory distress, sepsis management, hemodynamic instability, neurological changes, and other acute conditions requiring rapid intervention.
- Care Coordination & Escalation of Care: Collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, respiratory therapy, and nursing leadership to ensure timely escalation of care, ICU consultation, or higher level of monitoring when clinically indicated.
- Patient Safety & Quality Improvement: Supports initiatives aimed at reducing preventable deterioration events, cardiac arrests outside the ICU, and unplanned ICU transfers. Participates in review of rapid response events and contributes to system-wide patient safety improvements.
- Education & Staff Development: Provides real-time coaching, clinical education, and mentorship to bedside staff regarding recognition of patient deterioration, emergency response protocols, and critical care best practices.
- Documentation & Communication: Ensures accurate and timely documentation of Rapid Response interventions and patient outcomes. Communicates effectively with providers and leadership to ensure continuity of care and situational awareness.
- Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Supports organizational compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards related to patient safety, emergency response systems, and clinical escalation protocols.
Performance Metrics
- Response time and effectiveness of Rapid Response activations• Reduction in cardiac arrests outside the ICU• Unplanned ICU transfer trends and outcomes• Compliance with early recognition and escalation protocols• Staff education and clinical support effectiveness
- Patient safety and quality improvement participation
Regular and prompt attendance.
Ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required.
Related duties as required.
Employees must be in a regular position, working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.
Additional Information
Employees must be in a regular position, working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.
Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited school of nursing meeting the minimum standards set by the state of Alabama and current Alabama RN license or current Multi-State RN License in accordance with Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for Alabama. Note: USA Health abides by the NLC requirements and guidelines for the state of Alabama.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis.
EO Employer – minorities/females/veterans/disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.