Registered Nurse II; RN- Cardiothoracic Surgery Acute

Job Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Registered Nurse (RN) II position is a licensed staff nurse, an experienced clinician, functioning at the Competent to Proficient stage of Benner's model of clinical practice. The RN II provides professional nursing care to a diverse patient population, conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment, provides patient education, and maintains medical records. The RN II delivers direct patient care effectively and efficiently to patients with varied and complex needs, communicating and collaborating with physicians and the interprofessional health care team to facilitate, coordinate, and maintain compassionate, efficient, high‑quality care and to achieve desired treatment outcomes.

The RN II demonstrates clinical competence in providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures, managing emergencies, and acting as a patient and family advocate to monitor and maintain patient rights. The RN II assumes leadership roles, including contributing to unit and shared governance initiatives, serving as charge nurse or preceptor to students or new employees, and possibly supporting service line or hospital‑wide initiatives in partnership with management.

Non‑exempt

• Education: Graduate of an accredited education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s).
• Experience: Twelve months registered nurse experience in a healthcare environment.
• Licenses and Certifications –
  
  Required:
  
  
  • RN – Registered Nurse – Texas State Licensure (Texas Board of Nursing), PSI Compact Licensure – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days if establishing Texas residency.
  • BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA).
  • ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA) within four months.
• Licenses and Certifications – Preferred:
  • NIH Stroke – National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification (AHA) if floating to unit or caring for patients requiring NIHSS within four months.
  • Magnet – ANCC Recognized Certification.

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, as determined through ongoing assessments.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English to perform essential functions, especially where patient or employee safety is involved.
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers, applying customer service focus and positive language principles.
• Strong assessment, organizational, and problem‑solving skills; prioritizes multiple tasks and role components.
• Functions independently and exercises judgment in interactions with physicians, the interprofessional team, patients, and families.
• Uses critical thinking and clinical judgment to work autonomously as defined by the Nurse Practice Act.
• Demonstrates proficient time‑management skills.
• Maintains professional contributions as defined in the Clinical Career Path program guide.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft products, including Outlook.

• Uses therapeutic communication, including active listening and teaching, to establish relationships with patients, families, and the interprofessional health care team and collaborate on the plan of care.
• Contributes to teamwork by maintaining awareness of overall unit acuity, consistently offering assistance, and responding positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment and applies feedback to improve patient outcomes.
• Implements staff education specific to patient populations and unit processes; coaches and mentors other staff and students; may include preceptorship; uses peer‑to‑peer accountability to improve department scores for turnover, retention, and employee engagement on the unit‑based scorecard.

• Follows patient and family‑centered care standards, conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment, and maintains medical records, practicing in a manner congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles.
• Develops, updates, and communicates the plan of care,…