Our mission is to provide patients with the highest possible quality of healthcare within an atmosphere of genuine caring. This includes recognition of the importance of quality customer service to patients, visitors, and staff. The Registered Nurse displays sensitivity and empathy to the needs of patients, visitors and members of the Littleton Regional Healthcare staff. The Intensive Care Unit is to be a group of healthcare providers highly qualified in critical care, committed to providing intensive care, support, and education to the critically ill patient, their family and other healthcare providers, in order to promote an optimal state of wellness with a strong spirit of collaboration. This includes recognition of the importance of quality customer service to patients, visitors and staff.

Under the direction of the Clinical Director of Critical Care Services, the Intensive Care Unit RN is responsible for meeting the total nursing needs of the critically ill patient and their family. The RN utilizes and acquires knowledge of current and best practices in patient care. The RN retains the responsibility for the direction and guidance of ancillary personnel activities within the unit. The RN works to support the 5 pillars of excellence: people, quality, service, finance and growth.

The RN understands and adheres to all LRH and department specific policies and procedures as well as to the practice standards set forth in the New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act. This position will support the mission, vision, values and strategic initiatives of Littleton Regional Healthcare and demonstrates a commitment to quality service to patients, physicians, the public and coworkers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND WORK ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Total care of patients with fluctuating conditions, hemodynamic instability, titrating vasoactive medications, ventilator management, administration of thrombolytics, continuous cardiac rhythm assessment, and periodic blood pressure monitoring
• Management of invasive lines such as A-lines, and central venous pressure monitoring
• Meeting psychosocial and educational needs of patients and their families
• Initiation of ACLS Standard of Care in life threatening situations
• Continuous monitoring of telemetry cardiac rhythms for patients located and otherwise cared for on another unit such as medical/surgical unit
• Response to emergency situations in all hospital departments if available to do so

CLINICAL OUTPATIENT DUTIES

• Duties include but are not limited to:
• Responsible for scheduling and orientation of new patients and taking and editing of transmitted rhythms, communication with physicians, follow up and all associated clerical duties. Also includes “trouble shooting” of problems as they arise and coordinating maintenance with TSP.
• Responsible for “after hours” Post Anesthesia Care Unit Primary Functions as per hospital policy
• Responsible for outpatient elective cardioversion procedures, including scheduling, intake, procedural participation (conscious sedation per MD orders and documentation of patient status), recovery and discharge
• Responsible for outpatient Transesophageal Echocardiogram procedures, including scheduling, intake, procedural participation, recovery and discharge
• Responsible for specific outpatient IV drug therapies per MD orders; includes ongoing assessment and discharge
• Responsible for entering appropriate charges for outpatient procedures

CLINICAL: OTHER

• Responsible for care of outpatient blood transfusions, including intake, specific blood transfusion procedural requirements (per hospital policy), ongoing assessment, and discharge
• Responsible for care of “overflow” Med/Surg patients as staffing permits
• Responsible for care of “after hours” Same Day Surgery patients” as per the proper “primary function” of that department
• Assist in assessment and education of Med/Surg Telemetry patients
• Responsible for response to assistance with Emergency Department trauma or department need
• Able to function as critical interfacility transfer RN once completely independent in ICU and once orientation to procedure completed per hospital policy

CLINICAL: PROFESSIONAL/SELF GOVERNANCE

• Attendance of monthly staff meetings
• Cross training to appropriate areas
• Unit Matrix Responsibilities, including Mock Codes, Mock Traumas and Review/Follow-up of events

Experience/Specialized Skills:

Required Education/Course(s)/Training:

ACLS

PALS

TNCC/TCAR (Obtained within 1 year of hire)

Preferred Certification/Registration:

CCRN/PCCN