Registered Nurse - Critical Care Unit​/Req

Job Objective

A Registered Nurse responsible for the nursing care of patients in the Critical Care setting, guided by policies and procedures of the Critical Care Unit and Medical Center.

Nursing Process

• Apply the nursing process in direct patient care.
• Provide accurate assessment of physiological, psychosocial, cultural, educational, spiritual, and socioeconomic needs within the required time frame.
• Document assessments every four hours in the electronic medical record and vital signs/I&O Q2 or more frequently as needed.
• Reassess patient needs every four hours, adjust interventions, and document outcomes.
• Provide discharge planning from admission through transfer and appropriate referrals.

Care of Acutely Ill Patients

• Monitor vital signs, EKG, SaO₂, and intervene as necessary.
• Initiate and monitor vasoactive drips (e.g., dopamine, dobutamine, nor epinephrine).
• Monitor invasive lines (central, arterial, etc.).
• Monitor ventilated patients and intervene when required.
• Operate pain‑management equipment (PCA, epidural, etc.).
• Assess for respiratory depression or arrest and act immediately (CPR, Ambu‑bag, chin‑lift, airway maneuvers).
• Respond to code calls in the unit and other hospital units.
• Manage unstable patients post‑cardiac surgery, trauma, or organ donation.
• Ensure a safe post‑operative/post‑procedural period under general, regional, or local anesthesia, including moderate sedation.
• Provide age‑specific and disease‑specific education to patients and families.

Technical Equipment Operation

• Operate technical equipment safely, efficiently, and accurately as per unit competency.
• Pressure line setup and maintenance.
• Cardiac monitors and output.
• Insertion, maintenance, and removal of arterial lines and pulmonary artery lines.
• ICP/Camino setup, insertion, maintenance.
• Crash cart, defibrillator, and cardioversion equipment.
• Ventilator management.
• Peripheral nerve stimulators.
• Ventricular‑assist devices and trans‑venous pacemakers.
• Femostop/C‑clamp for line removal.

Non‑Essential Duties

• Participate in unit or hospital‑based committees.
• Other duties as assigned, within compliance with Title 22, The Joint Commission, and CMS.

Knowledge

• Criteria for 1:1 patient, patient classification, staffing guidelines, moderate sedation, critical care security, visitation policy.
• Critical Care policies, accreditation standards, and quality improvement guidelines.
• Legal aspects of nursing care and patient rights.

Skills

• Registered Nurse clinical skills and telephone etiquette.
• Team‑player ability and collaboration.
• Safe and effective use of all required equipment.

Abilities

• Adherence to all AWMC policies and procedures.
• Organization and priority setting.
• Initiative and performance under pressure.
• Clerical support as needed and intelligence in communication.
• Confidentiality, safety, and compliance with regulations.

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal‑oriented, and on a never‑ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can‑do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Maintain current licensure, certifications, and ongoing educational activities. Two years of acute‑care nursing preferred; new‑grad training will be provided. CCRN preferred.

• Current California Registered Nursing license.
• BCLS Certification.
• ACLS, PALS, and/or other specialty certifications required for…