JOB SUMMARY

The Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (Neuro ICU) at UT Southwestern is one of the world’s premier neurological diagnostic and treatment centers. Our recently opened, state-of-the-art 24-bed unit is equipped and designed to provide coordinated, compassionate care, while closely monitoring and treating patients with life-threatening neurological conditions.

UTSW is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid (zero premium) medical coverage for employees starting first day
• State of Texas defined-benefit pension plan

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BLS, ACLS and NIHSS Required.
• Graduate of an accredited Nursing program.
• One year of Neuro ICU exp required, Two years preferred.
• Current Texas or BNE Compact State License
• BSN preferred
• Must be able to work some weekends

JOB DUTIES

1.      Performs and accurately documents physical, psychosocial, and emotional assessments. All assessments take into consideration age specific criteria (children, adolescents, adults and older adults).
2. Actively anticipates patient’s and/or patient’s family needs and expectations and utilizes these in conjunction with the assessment to develop an appropriate plan of care for the patient. Utilizes critical thinking skills in planning and prioritizing nursing care. Maintains and utilizes competencies per unit expectation.
3. Identifies and implements appropriate nursing interventions based on the completed assessment. Completes accurate and timely documentation of these interventions. Active coordinator of the interdisciplinary plan of care. Confers with all members of the health care team in a collaborative fashion. Shares information and observations of the patient and/or patient’s family in a manner that advocates for optimal patient care.
4. Appropriately prioritizes nursing interventions based upon completed assessment. Promptly identifies changes in condition as evidenced by nursing assessment, labs, x-rays, etc. Reports changes, takes follow-up action as appropriate. Actively involves patient in plan of care and keeps patient, family and/or care-giver informed.
5. Evaluates implemented interventions and modifies care according to the evaluation. Documents interventions and modifications to the plan of care in an accurate and timely manner.
6. Adheres to appropriate hospital and/or Department of Nursing policies, procedures, clinical pathways and nationally accepted standards of nursing practice. Incorporates ANA standards, into the provision of safe, quality patient care, utilizing current literature, and research. Practices in accordance with our Professional Practice Model “Relationship Based Care” and delivers care using our Care Delivery System ” PACE” – Patient Focused, Accountable, Coordinated and Continuous and Evidence Based.
7. Provides appropriate and timely answers and/or education to patients, patient¿s families, significant others and/or caregivers. Completes accurate and timely documentation of all education provided including discharge plan of care. Assesses competence, obtains feedback/evaluation of understanding from patient, family, significant others and/or /caregivers. Demonstrates effective communication based on individual patient needs and learning preferences.
8. Welcomes and orients patient, family, significant other and/or caregiver to the unit. Encourages patient/family participation in care. Reviews personalized patient plan of care with patient/family every shift. Updates white boards accordingly and sets daily goals with patient input. Explains special diets, tests, procedures and medications in easily understood and appropriate language. Makes hourly rounds on patients and communicates when they will return.
9. Duties performed may include one or more of the following core functions: a) Directly interacting with or caring for patients; b) Directly interacting with or caring for human-subjects research participants; c) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting patient records (including patient financial records); or d) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting human-subjects research records.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Work requires ability to complete most assignments with substantial independence.
• Work requires good verbal and written communication skills.  Must be able to read, write and communicate in English. 
• Work requires proficiency in the use of computer technology. 
• Work requires ability to read, write, and perform mathematical calculations.
• Work requires frequent contact with physicians, residents, fellows, allied health personnel, and other medical and/or non-medical office support personnel to coordinate necessary information to provide optimal level of patient care.
• Work requires telephone contact with patients, referring physicians, and pharmaceutical representatives outside of UT Southwestern, vendors, and third party payees.
• Work requires constant walking, standing, bending, turning, and stooping.  Pushing and pulling heavy objects such as patient beds.  Must be able to help lift and turn patients.
• Work requires ability to lift, push, and/or pull up to 50 lbs.
• Work requires use of considerable judgment in application of procedures, nursing assessment techniques, practices and policies to work problems, organization, and administration of hospital activities. 
• Work requires ability to maintain current customer service, nursing, and technical skills by attending training programs and seminars to continue level of competency and ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures.

PACT STATEMENT

The following is the acronym, “PACT”, and is fundamental to all clinical positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center:

• P-Problem Solving: To achieve excellence in patient care and service, all employees are expected to take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the patient.
• A-Ability, Attitude and Appearance: In keeping with a professional healthcare environment, all employees are expected to have the ability to perform their jobs and to appear and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner.
• C-Communications and Compassion: It is our goal that all our communications are clear, courteous, timely, and delivered with compassion, respect and appropriate confidentiality.
• T-Teamwork: In our medical environment, our patients regard every employee they encounter as a member of the Southwestern Medical Center team. Our goal is to individually work hard to contribute to our team, support our co-workers, and to achieve not only excellent patient care and service, but also a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed in a hospital unit/environment.  The incumbent may be exposed to body fluids and infectious diseases.  Pass pre-employment physical exam including colorblind testing.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Vice President for Human Resources Administration, or his/her designee.

**Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.