RN-Intensive Care Unit

UnityPoint Health Information

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) caters to patients with severe and life-threatening illnesses and injuries, which require constant, close monitoring and support from special equipment and medications. We are a 10-bed unit that is staffed with highly trained nurses, doctors and ancillary staff who specialize in caring for critically ill adult and pediatric patients. We provide excellent care and treat common conditions that include respiratory distress, trauma, cardiac conditions, sepsis and many more. We are distinguished from other hospital units by a higher staff-to-patient ratio (2:1) and access to advanced medical resources.

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the RN contributes professional nursing knowledge and skills in the provision and management of care to patients in the Intensive Care Unit and their families. Maintains a practice environment that reflects the Professional Nurse Practice Model and in collaboration with other care givers.

Clinical Excellence/Patient Care

• Assesses the needs of patients and families, providing appropriate teaching and making the necessary referrals to provide continuity of care.
• Develops an individual plan of care using a collaborative approach with the patient/family and health care team.
• Promptly completes documentation to assure an accurate legal record of patient's care.
• Delivers high quality care utilizing the nursing process while demonstrating knowledge and clinical skills of a critical care nurse in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards of care in the Intensive Care Unit.
• Responds to Code Blue/Pink, Trauma, Rapid Response Team or other urgent calls for patient care.
• Utilizes holistic approach (considering bio-psychosocial, spiritual, educational, safety, and related criteria) appropriate to the age of the patients and families served in the assigned service area.
• Delegates and provides direction for other healthcare team members within their scope of practice and holds them accountable for their involvement in the plan of care.
• Utilizes critical thinking in developing nursing interventions while maintaining responsibility and accountability for the knowledge of conditions of assigned patients.

Patient Education

• Assesses and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient's and their families' age-specific needs, culture, gender, readiness to learn and level of comprehension.
• Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education.
• Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.

Education:

• Graduated of accredited nursing program (Must obtain BSN within 5 years of hire date)

License(s)/Certification(s):

• Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa
• Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) or within (3) months of hire date
• Must possess and maintain current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification or within (1) year from date of hire
• Must possess and maintain current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or within (1) year from date of hire
• Must possess and maintain current Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS)certification or within (1) year from date of hire