Rapid Response RN

Job Summary

The Rapid Response Team Nurse (RRT) functions under the direction of the Critical Care Nurse Manager. He/she participates in the coordination of the Rapid Response Team response. This includes the assessment of the patient, prioritization and collaboration with the Provider and Respiratory Therapist, and implementation of interventions to ensure optimal patient outcomes. The Rapid Response Nurse ensures the documentation of interventions and outcomes are complete. Ensures collaborative communication with other team members and disciplines, and delivery of safe, appropriate care to a culturally diverse population.

The Rapid Response Nurse serves as a resource/support to the staff, physicians, patients, families, and other departments. The Rapid Response Team RN is responsible for MET and Code Blue calls, follow-up visits and surveillance rounds with determined population, Rapid Response Team data collection, entry and analysis, Rapid Response Team practice guidelines oversight, evaluation of patient codes and informal staff education.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Nursing (Required)
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (Preferred)

Work Experience

• 1 or more years critical care or Emergency Room nursing experience (Required)
• Previous Charge Nurse or MET team experience (Preferred)

Licenses and Certifications

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Georgia (Required)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) (Required)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Georgia Stroke Curriculum within 6 months of hire (Required)
• Trauma Care After Resuscitation (TCAR) (Preferred)
• Trauma Nurse Course Certified (TNCC) (Preferred)

Essential Functions

ASSESSMENT AND NURSING DIAGNOSIS

• Collects data in a systematic and ongoing process
• Issues identified and diagnoses developed based on assessment data
• Prioritizes data collection based on the patient's condition and needs
• Completes timely daily data collection
• Identifies expected outcomes and plan based on diagnoses or issues

DOCUMENTATION

• Documents and submits required information and data in a timely fashion
• Clearly and accurately documents designated processes, policies, products, service offerings, etc.
• Ensures that documentation is tailored to expected readers/users
• Uses correct terminology
• Conforms to required style and format

OUTCOMES AND EVALUATIONS

• Develops expected outcomes that provide direction for continuity of care
• Involves patient/family and other disciplines to determine expected outcomes
• Modifies expected outcomes based on changes in the assessment of the patient
• Includes the patient and others involved in the care in the evaluation process
• Evaluates the plan in relation to patient responses and expected outcomes
• Documents the results of the evaluation

RN - LEADERSHIP

• Directs the coordination of care across setting and among caregivers
• Engages in teamwork as a team player and a team builder
• Serves in key roles at work through shared decision making
• Defines a clear vision including goals and plans and measures progress
• Promotes nursing through participation in professional organizations
• Assists with informal bedside education and identifies formal educational needs

RN - QUALITY

• Uses the results of quality improvement activities in nursing practice
• Uses creativity and innovation in nursing practice to improve care delivery
• Incorporates evidence-based knowledge to initiate change in nursing practice
• Participates in quality improvement activities

SURVEILLANCE ROUNDS

• Transfers from ICU and EC within 24 hours
• EC admissions within first 12 hours of arrival to acute care or 4AB
• Sepsis Alerts and Admits with Sepsis Diagnosis
• Identifies high NEWS score patient
• Patients with hi-flow oxygen or Bi-Pap
• Patient holds in EC and PACU
• Other additional identified surveillance opportunities

Additional Duties

• Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines
• Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission and vision of the organization
• Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs)
• Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time
• Demonstrates competency at all levels in providing care to all patients based on age, sex, weight, and demonstrated needs
• For non-clinical areas, has attended training and demonstrates usage of age-specific customer service skills
• Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate