Job Details

Position Summary:

Position Highlights:

• Number of beds on unit: 18
• Patient population      (age, diagnosis, specifics about unit): 18 or older, neuro & medical diagnosis (any      neurological disorder or disease, stroke designated unit, any medical or      surgical patient needing a higher level of care), Level of care:      Intermediate (ICU stepdown)
• Nurse to Patient      ratio: 1:4
• Department culture and      resources: Clinically      excellent staff, dedicated team always willing to help each other. Our      standard of care is vital signs taken every 4 hours at minimum, purposeful      hourly rounding, patients out of bed/ambulating whenever possible.
• Frequent nursing      skills/equipment used: Frequent medication administration, continuous telemetry      monitoring, frequent physical assessments, use of safe patient handling      equipment, management of surgical sites or wounds & surgical drains,      internal and external catheters

Qualifications:
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
College Diploma in Nursing

CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
Registered Professional Nurse (RN) License Illinois upon hire and Basic Life Support (BLS) (AHA) within 30 days and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (AHA) within 1 year.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Attend and satisfactorily complete all required continuing education regarding the care of acute stroke patients

Essential Functions:

• Performs all responsibilities and duties required by unit as specific to the scope of service. Implements procedures and theories related to the specific area of practice. Maintains up-to-date and accurate documentation of nursing care provided to assure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team.
• Completes initial assessment upon patient admission and develops appropriate plan of care in accordance with unit standards and that is based on patient and family needs. Implements plan of care, nursing interventions, and patient care procedures. Modifies plan of care based upon continuous evaluation.
• Takes responsibility for patient and employee safety by reporting and/or correcting safety hazards and incidents.
• Communicates with others directly and in private when necessary to resolve issues. Offers constructive feedback to assist in the professional development of peers, and confers with colleagues to expand knowledge base. Identifies own learning needs and takes initiative to begin appropriate solution.
• Fulfills all requirements of departmental competencies.

• Ensures all required DNV measures for identified stroke / TIA patients are addressed and accurately documented.
• Ensures good communication with patients/family by utilizing meaningful hourly rounding, bedside shift report and whiteboards.
• Closely monitors post operative neurosurgical patients.