JOB SUMMARY

Our Cardiac Medical ICU is a high-acuity, fast-paced environment where nurses provide expert care to adult patients with advanced cardiac and critical conditions, including Advanced Heart Failure, STEMI, TAVR, heart transplant work-ups, and complex medical ICU cases. This unit offers the opportunity to work with life-saving devices such as Impella, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT). 

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

• Paid (zero premium) medical coverage for employees starting first day
• State of Texas defined-benefit pension plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (vacation & sick leave plus paid holidays)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

•  BLS/ACLS (AHA or ARC) and NIHSS required. CCRN and BSN preferred.

• Graduate of an accredited Nursing program.
• One (1) year of experience working as a registered nurse (RN) in a intensive care unit (ICU) is a minimum requirement; two (2) years or more preferred.

• Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the Texas Board of Nursing or with a multistate license from Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state

JOB DUTIES

1. Performs and accurately documents physical, psychosocial, and emotional assessments. All assessments take into consideration age specific criteria (children, adolescents, adults and elder 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 & 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, 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” & delivers care using our Care Delivery System “PACE” – Patient Focused, Accountable, Coordinated and Continuous and Evidence Based.
7. Provides appropriate & 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. Advocate for resources and support that enhance patient safety and unit/hospital based initiatives. Participates in evaluating data to guide decisions regarding unit / department budget formulation and implementation.
10. Performs Peer Evaluation to provide constructive feedback to peers regarding performance. Holds co-workers accountable for their behavior and compliance with policies and standards. Actively intervenes when patient safety is at risk.
11. Performance Improvement: Accountable for patient care and quality/ safety initiatives (EX: patient safety, patient satisfaction, core measures, infection control).
12. Supports efforts to develop and maintain team environment. Participates in multidisciplinary quality and practice improvement teams. Shares professional and technical information with colleagues & students. Offers self as a resource as needed to others (Ex: preceptor, charge, mentor, unit expert, lends a hand when needed). Participates in meetings & on committees & represents the dept. & hospital in community outreach.

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.

To learn more about the benefits UT Southwestern offers visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/

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.