Job Abstract

The RN – Clinical (Specialized Workforce and Transport "SWAT") position is responsible for providing continuity of patient care by making assistance available where the need arises in the hospital. The S.W.A.T. RN will primarily respond to emergency codes and rapid response calls along with assisting with the transport of critically ill patients. This role involves carrying a mobile phone and rounding on nursing units, supporting non-ICU patients at risk for rapid response or codes, providing specific duties such as IV starts, helping with admissions and discharges, assisting the nurses with multiple tasks as needed and assisting in bedside procedural sedation. This role involves a high level of collaboration with the Clinical Administrative Supervisor and Lead RNs to determine units in need of assistance. This role will require occasionally working a shift in critical care to maintain competencies. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills and be able to communicate clearly and effectively to providers, nurses, and leaders without hesitation. The ability to clearly and effectively use SBAR to communicate about patient situations, especially during critical situations. This role is best suited for someone who is not only passionate about excellent care, but also interested in serving as a mentor/teacher for non-ICU staff when learning opportunities arise.

Essential Duties:

• Follows policies and procedures; demonstrates ability to access online manuals.
• Respond to emergency codes and rapid response calls along with assisting with the transport of critically ill patients. Answer mobile phone in timely manner and appropriately triage calls. Round in nursing units, provide guidance for care of the non-ICU patients at risk for rapid response or codes. Carry out other duties as assigned, but not limited to IV starts, helping with admissions and discharges, assisting the nurses with multiple tasks as needed and assisting in bedside procedural sedation. Collaborate with the Clinical Administrative Supervisor and Lead RNs to determine units in need of assistance.
• Transfers learned scientific knowledge into practical application in applying the Nursing Process.
• ASSESSMENT - Appropriately completes Nursing Assessment upon patient admission, at each shift and with change of condition. Completes patient acuity by 0200/1400 daily.
• DIAGNOSIS - Interprets assessment information and formulates Nursing Diagnoses.
• PLAN - Develops Plans of Care with individualized interventions. Documents expected/projected patient outcomes. Reviews/Revises/Updates Plans of Care daily based on evaluation and interpretation of patient outcomes.
• INTERVENTION - Administers medication and IV therapy appropriately at prescribed intervals. Completes patient care procedures correctly per policy at prescribed intervals. Delegates tasks based on others’ scope of practice and competency. Acts as patient advocate. Manages restraint use per policy. Attempts alternative non-restraint measures first. Assures complete MD order per policy. Ensures MD assessment per policy. Assures patient monitoring per policy. Ensures Restraint Audit Form is completed each shift.
• DOCUMENTATION - Documentation is complete and correct on all flow sheets and chart forms: Admission Assessment, Pain scale assessment and reassessment before and after intervention, Daily flow sheet, Restraint flow sheet, Diabetes flow sheet, Educational flow sheet, Kardex, Care Plan, Risk Assessment & Reassessment upon Fall, MAR, Equipment & Supplies Intra and Inter Facility Transfer Forms, Belonging Tracking Form, Ensures orders are transcribed and signed off prior to the end of the shift. Completes 12h/24h chart checks.
• EDUCATION - Provides patient/family education as needed, Room/unit orientation, Plan of Care, Identifies knowledge deficits related to diagnoses and care, and Uses and provides MICROMEDEX information to patients and families.
• TRANSFER & DISCHARGE - Collaborates with Case Manager and/or physician regarding discharge planning. Ensures all transfer paperwork is completed. Ensures belongings are sent with patient.
• EQUIPMENT - Utilizes patient care equipment appropriately and safely according to manufacture guidelines: IV pump, Feeding pump, PCA pump, Epidural pump, Sequential compression device, Wound VAC, and Heating pad/pump.
• COMMUNCATION - Communicates effectively with all members of the healthcare team including patient and family: Shift to shift report, Physician Rounds, Patient/family interactions, MDP Rounds, Hand-Off reports, Facility E-mail, and Student/New employee/Contract employee.
• ORGANIZATION - Manages time effectively. Able to organize and prioritize responsibilities. Takes meal breaks without incurring overtime. Completes shift on time.
• OBSERVES REGULATORY AGENCY REQUIREMENTS: National Patient Safety Goals, Patient identifiers, Unapproved abbreviations, Universal Protocol (Procedural Time Out), Hand-Off, Medication Reconciliation, Clinical Alarms, Other: Hazardous waste management, Biohazard, Medication, Sharps. HIPAA, OSHA requirements (i.e. no food or drink in clinical areas), JCAHO – continuous survey readiness. Critical Values: Write Down, Read Back, and Follow up. Telephone order: Appropriate, Documented, Signed, Timed and Dated Stamped, Entered into unit log. Maintains safe practice in the work environment: Correct body mechanics, Electrical safety, Infection Control Procedures, Hand Washing.
• MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF MEDICAL SURGICAL PATIENTS - (6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with THA. (6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with TKA. (6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with spinal surgery. (6S) Demonstrates the ability to maintain isolation precautions, respiratory and nutrition care specific to cystic fibrosis patients. (6S) Demonstrates the ability to manage medications and maintain protective isolation precautions for patients with abdominal organ transplants. (6S) Institutes safety precautions and skin care for patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
• MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF PATIENTS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT/S - Demonstrates the ability to manage complex critically ill patients. Neurosurgery, thoracic-forgut, gastric bypass, orthopedic. Liver/kidney/pancreas transplants, hepatobiliary. Open heart, heart and lung transplants. Demonstrates the ability to manage advanced therapeutic modalities: Hemodynamic monitoring. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT, CVVHD). Ventriculostomy, intracranial pressure monitoring. Ventricular assist devices, balloon pumps.
• MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF PATIENTS IN THE STEPDOWN/TELEMETRY UNITS - Demonstrates the ability to manage high acuity patients requiring specialized monitoring and care. Status post open heart, heart transplant, lung transplant. Status post liver/kidney transplants, orthopedics, hepatobiliary, general surgeries. Status post thoracic-forgut, gastric bypass, neurology, neurosurgery. Demonstrates the ability to manage advanced therapeutic modalities. Ventilator care. Arterial/CVP lines. Ventricular assist devices. Lumbar drains.
• BEHAVIORAL RESTRAINTS - Demonstrates de-escalation techniques as an effort to prevent the need for behavioral restraint/seclusion. Applies behavioral restraint/seclusion when appropriate. Continuously monitors patients for safety (or delegates as appropriate). Ensures physician assessment of patient within 1 hour of application of restraint/seclusion and then at least every 8 hours. Obtains physician orders per policy. Notifies Manager of all behavioral restraint incidences. Contacts significant other as allowed by patient. Completes debriefing, with patient if appropriate, after the incident.
• QUALITY MEASURES - Accurately identifies patient that fit Core Measure criteria. Completes Core Measure Documentation. Identifies and participates in data collection and process improvements related to Nurse Sensitive. Quality Indicators.
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Participates in professional hospital/nursing activities: Relief Charge Nurse, Nursing committees/councils, Hospital Teams, Unit Based Projects, Research, and Published peer review article
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

•  Bachelor's degree Nursing Degree in Nursing (BSN)

• 3-5 years Experience as an RN in critical care and/or emergency department within the last five (5) years.

• Must have excellent communication skills, including the ability to speak, read and write English proficiently.
• Knowledge of medical procedures and conditions and ability to understand, follow and successfully perform duties, including whole blood collection, and apheresis procedures, in accordance with administrative and clinical policies, regulations and procedures.
• Committed to excellence in patient care and customer service.
•  Demonstrates ability to work independently with minimal direction and supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Specialty Certification Critical Care Registered Nurse or Certified Emergency Nurse
• NIHSS NIHSS Certification

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Registered Nurse - RN (CA Board of Registered Nursing)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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