Registered Nurse - Neuro

If you are looking for a fast-paced work environment with a variety of professional opportunities, consider a career as a neurology nurse at TMC. As a comprehensive stroke center, accredited epilepsy center, and accredited neurosurgical center, TMC cares for patients with complex neurological / neurosurgical symptoms. The Neurology / Neurosurgical unit is a 30-bed telemetry unit that focuses on caring for patients with neurological disorders and patients who have undergone brain or spinal surgery. The unit houses three epilepsy monitoring suits and is the only unit that has both general status beds as well as a 9-bed neuro intermediate observation (IO) unit. The neuro IO unit focuses on caring for higher acuity neurological patients such as CVA with thrombolytic therapy, patients that require certain medication drips, as well as critical cranial surgeries. As a nurse on the neurology unit, you will be given the opportunity to cross train into to the neuro IO unit as well as have the opportunity to expand your education by earning your Certified Neuroscience Nursing Certification (CNRN).

Summary

Coordinates patient care planning with other disciplines utilizing the principles of the nursing process and critical thinking skills in order to maintain patient safety and well-being.

Essential Functions

Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure safe patient care.

Writes or obtains initial nursing histories, assesses patients' conditions and develops individual care plans; maintains patient documentation.

Receives and reviews preceding shift reports and floor nurse reports; makes complete rounds of all units, and notes patients' condition.

Notifies appropriate physician regarding any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.

Works with other members of the interdisciplinary patient care team, implements and reinforces patient instructional needs with patient and family offering informational material and pointing out special areas of concern.

Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consults with other specialists as needed and adjusts nursing care processes as necessary to ensure optimal patient care.

Identifies and resolves workplace health and safety issues.

P rovides appropriate, direct patient care utilizing appropriate aseptic techniques.

May manage IV lines, ensure that sterile techniques are adhered to, and oversee patient movement and positioning to ensure that the patient is handled in a medically safe manner.

May perform the administration of pharmacological vasodilator medications for the purpose of nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging; complies with examination competency as defined in the Imaging Services Practice Standards.

Complies with policies, procedures, regulations, and standards and takes corrective action when violations occur.

Orients, instructs, and educates assigned personnel.

Adheres to and supports team members in exhibiting TMCH values of integrity, community, compassion, and dedication.

Adheres to TMC organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION Graduation from a qualified, nationally-accredited nursing program. ( Some positions may require additional training related to specific skill area, such as EP, which requires instructional programs in intra-cardio echocardiogram and electrophysiology, which includes 30 ablation procedures.)

EXPERIENCE One year of nursing experience in an acute care setting preferred. (Positions assigned to EP : require two (2) years of EP experience or demonstrated competency in all areas of EP Lab procedures).

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION : Current RN licensure permitting work in the State of Arizona and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Some departments such as OR, Ambulatory Surgery, Pediatrics / PICU, PACU, and GI Lab will require advanced life support certification (ACLS and PALS). ( Additional certification may be required for some specialties, such as EP certification from International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners for Special Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Associated Professional or equivalent certification.) For Hospice & Pediatrics areas, valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card within 6 months of hire and for Mental Health only Crisis Prevention Instruction (CPI) required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of direct patient care and critical care procedures and techniques, tools, and responses required to ensure optimal patient care.
• Knowledge of exam indicators, contraindications and patient preparation.
• Skill in communicating in a clear and concise manner with staff involved in critical care, and physicians to ensure the proper care of patients.
• Skill in reading 12-lead EKG.
• Skill demonstrated in assigned disciplines such as EP, directly involved in patient care.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others' communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
• Ability to speak and communicate effectively.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.