• 0-1 years of experience: $10,000

• 1-3 years of experience: $15,000

• 3+ years of experience: $20,000

POSITION PURPOSE

Provides and directs safe, effective, and culturally competent care for patients with acute medical and surgical conditions. Through evidence-based practice, utilizes critical thinking to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate outcome-based care. The Acute Care RN manages a diverse patient population with varying levels of acuity, including post-operative, medical, telemetry, and neurologic patients. Supervises and coordinates care provided by LPNs, Patient Care Assistants, and other nursing team members. Facilitates communication with physicians, patients and families, and interdisciplinary team members. Adheres to MercyOne’s performance expectations and upholds the Mission, Vision, and Values of MercyOne.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Conducts an initial assessment to gather data.

• Makes an initial assessment of new admissions within 30 minutes of the patient’s arrival to the unit.

• Completes all areas of the admission assessment database within 24 hours of admission.

2. Identifies patient problems and develops them into an outcome/goal-based plan of care.

• Initiates the patient problem list and incorporates relevant medical history into the plan of care.

• Analyzes and interprets the assessment data to identify desired patient outcomes/goals.

• Determines nursing interventions to achieve those outcomes/goals.

• Prioritizes patient care needs/ activities.

• Identifies and makes appropriate referrals (i.e., Patient/Family Services, Nutritional Services, Spiritual Care, Diabetic Educator, etc.), and education needs.

• Collaborates with other health care disciplines to plan interventions/ patient outcomes/goals.

3. Implements the outcome/goal- based plan of care.

• Assigns and coordinates patient care incorporating patient acuity and the skills, knowledge and abilities of the team members.

• Organizes and prioritizes care for the patients within the team.

• Delegates tasks appropriately to other team members.

• Implements the plan of care including procedures, treatments, physicians orders, nursing orders, education plan and medications.

• Coordinates implementation of plan of care with the Case Manager, Social Worker and other health care disciplines.

• Assists to decrease the patient’s length of stay by helping the patient and family identify and secure appropriate services to satisfy health-related needs upon discharge.

• Uses nursing judgment to determine the appropriate frequency and components of reassessment.

• Reassesses at regular intervals to determine patient response(s) to interventions (minimum RN reassessment every 24 hours).

• Focuses ongoing reassessment on actual and potential problems/needs of the patient including education and discharge needs.

• Participates in develop discharge plan.

• Documents discharge instructions for patient and/or significant other and/or other care provider. 

4. Evaluates patient progress and revises the outcome/goal-based plan as needed.

• Evaluates patient response(s) to interventions.

• Review/modifies/revises the outcome-based plan of care based on ongoing reassessments.

• Updates the problem list and outcomes/goals.

5. Communicates relevant clinical information to the team to optimize patient outcomes/goals.

• Communicates relevant clinical information to physicians regarding the patient’s condition.

• Reports progress toward outcomes/goals and/or changes in condition to other health team members.

• Maintains ongoing communication with interdisciplinary team members throughout the shift, at shift change, and transfer of care.

• Communicates with other team leaders and members throughout the shift to reassess and prioritize the needs of the unit.

• Documents completely, comprehensively and legibly and in accordance with policy.

6. Demonstrates clinical competence.

• Utilizes Patient Care Policies and Procedure as references to guide nursing practice.

• Assures medication safety by following the “5 Rights” of medication administration.

• Prioritizes and implements intervention according to patient assessment.

• Demonstrates competency in computer systems and applications required for role.

• Receives, transcribes and processes and implements physician orders per policy including dating, timing and verifying accuracy.

• Maintains communication with the manager/house supervisor and staffing office regarding admissions, unit needs, acuity numbers and significant events.

• Completes assigned shift duties and assures resolution of discrepancies.

7. Manages telemetry and cardiac monitoring when applicable.

• Demonstrates clinical competency and technical knowledge in cardiac rhythm interpretation and telemetry monitoring.

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to cardiac arrhythmias and other changes in patient condition.

• Must be capable of managing multiple patients requiring continuous cardiac monitoring.

• Provides appropriate interventions for patients experiencing cardiac events or changes in rhythm.

• May be required to assist with data collection and quality improvement initiatives.

• Must be willing to serve as a resource to other hospital services (nursing, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, respiratory, etc.).

• May be asked to participate in unit-based committees and provide education to nursing staff as requested.

8. Based on principles of growth and development, provides care appropriate to the age-related needs of the patients served on his/her assigned unit.

9. Collects, analyzes, interprets and applies age-specific data.

• Performs tasks/procedures, uses equipment in an age-appropriate manner.

• Communicates and works with others in an age-appropriate manner.

10. Adheres to all safety, infection control and colleague health policies and procedures.

• Attends required safety programs.

• Appropriately and consistently uses the personal protective equipment required of the job.

• Knows and can demonstrate departmental emergency procedures for fire, disaster and other emergency situations.

• Reports and removes unsafe equipment/furniture.

• Asks for assistance when needed to assure safety for all involved.

• Maintains a safe working environment and practices safe working habits.

11. Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, Trinity Health’s Organizational Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, as well as other policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical, and professional behavior.

Mission Statement:  We, MercyOne Trinity Health, serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities.

Core Values:

• Reverence:  We honor the sacredness and dignity of every person.

• Commitment to Those who are Poor:  We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.

• Safety: We embrace a culture that prevents harm and nurtures a healing, safe environment for all.

• Justice:  We foster right relationships to promote the common good, including sustainability of Earth.

• Stewardship:  We honor our heritage and hold ourselves accountable for the human, financial and natural resources entrusted to our care.

• Integrity: We are faithful to those we say we are.

Schedule:

• Full Time: 36 hours per week (3, 12-hour shifts)
• Available Shifts: Days (7 AM – 7 PM) / Nights (7 PM – 7 AM)
• Every other holiday, and every other weekend

Position Highlights and Benefits:

• Relocation Bonus
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Eligible for a generous Night Shift Differential

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree in nursing required

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

• Current Iowa RN license, (current Illinois (IL) license if working in IL) required.

• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required. 

• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required only if the unit has telemetry monitoring capabilities. 

• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire. 

• High language, intermediate to high math, high critical thinking ability.  Basic computer skills required. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Performs duties that may involve exposure to hazardous substances and is subject to normal risks associated with handling of narcotics.  In patient care areas, may perform or demonstrate patient care tasks which may expose the clinical nurse to infectious or communicable disease, or possibility of injury from irrational or confused patients and visitors or from instruments or equipment.

2. Lift/Carry; Push/Pull 76-100% of the time, avg 50-100 lbs.

3. Stand; Walk/Move About 76-100% of the time

4. Must possess the ability to comply with Trinity Health policies and procedures. 

The most significant duties have been included in this description.  Other duties may be assigned as necessary.  The facility reserves the right to modify this job description as needed to accurately reflect the duties assigned.