Kindred Hospital San Antonio is a long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital specializing in the treatment of patients recovering from post-intensive care and medically complex conditions. Our hospital provides both intensive care and telemetry-level services, offering advanced monitoring and support for patients requiring extended medical care. With a multidisciplinary team dedicated to personalized treatment plans, we focus on helping patients achieve significant recovery and transition to the next level of care.

Job Summary

Provides quality patient care to critically ill patients, through the nursing process of Assessment, Planning, Intervention, and Evaluation. Serves as a patient advocate at all times. Supervises the nursing care provided to each patient by other caregivers. Develops the plan for nursing care as a result of coordination with the patient, family and staff of other disciplines as necessary. Applies critical thinking in order to promote positive clinical outcomes. Ensures patient education. Participates in discharge planning.

Essential Functions

• Maintains the standard of nursing care and implements the policies and procedures of the hospital and the nursing department.
• Assesses the patient on admission within the required time frame. Makes referral to other disciplines based on the assessment, such as rehabilitation and nutritional services.
• Develops a nursing care plan for assigned patient on admission and updates the plan of care as needed. Ensures the plan is discussed and developed as a result of the coordination of patient and family and the interdisciplinary team.
• Able to release, remove, and reapply restraints to patient. Ensures patient is in proper position and alignment.
• Documents patient admission assessment and reassessments, patient care plans, and other pertinent information completely in the patient’s electronic medical record.
• Demonstrates correct use of Biomedical equipment such as defibrillator, Suction machine, IV and feeding pumps, PCA pump, blood glucose monitoring machine.
• Demonstrates safe and effective delivery of patient care such as completing team/patient assignments on time, making effective use of available time, showing initiative and teamwork.
• Obtains consents for procedures and blood transfusions, ensuring patient has necessary information to make an informed decision.
• Receives physician’s orders, ensures transcription is accurate, and order entry is accurate. Follows through to ensure order is carried out.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patient change in condition such as Cardiac rhythm, respiratory distress, GI bleed, pulmonary emboli/ edema, diabetic Ketoacidosis, adverse drug reaction and Blood transfusion reaction, etc. Institutes emergency action, notifies physician, obtains orders, etc. 
• Completes and documents patient admission assessment and reassessments as required according to policy.
• Reports pertinent observations and reaction regarding patients to the appropriate person (i.e., physician, supervisor, charge nurse) and records these observations accurately.
• Administers medications with verbalized knowledge of the action, side effects, correct dosages and route according ICU policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates ability to recognize and Institute arrhythmia protocol for the following Cardiac rhythms V-tach, V-fib, PVC’s, asystole, 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree heart block, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter.
• Directs, supervises, and evaluates nursing care provided to patients.
• Administers medications utilizing the seven “rights” of medication administration: right patient, route, time, medication, dose, reason and documentation.
• Assist physicians with special tests and procedures such as thoracentesis, paracentesis, arterial line and bronchoscopy.
• Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Participates in orientation of new personnel and performance evaluations of nursing staff.
• Assists team members in giving care to patients or administers direct care when professional nursing skills and judgment are needed.
• Coordinates nursing care of patients when scheduled for therapy or procedures by other departments.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, or sepsis.
• Participates in the maintenance of a clean and safe environment.
• Is knowledgeable about the emotional and rehabilitative aspects of care and is capable of applying appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Provides assessment utilizing current ACLS certification and protocols renders lifesaving first aid and makes appropriate referral to the nearest organization that is capable of providing needed services.
• Demonstrates ability to manage various types of tubes and other devices such as Foley /straight catheter, feeding tubes, chest tubes, JP drains, Hemovacs. T-tubes, wound drains, ostomy care, suprapubic catheter, continuous bladder irrigation.
• Demonstrates correct set up and performance monitoring of hemodynamic systems such as Swan-ganz catheter, arterial catheter, and cardiac output.
• Demonstrates accurate knowledge of critical Lab values and their normal ranges. Reports and documents appropriately.
• Demonstrates ability to verify correct lead telemetry placement. Validates telemetry strips every 4 hours and PRN. Documents appropriately.
• Participates in assessing and meeting patient and family education needs.
• Provides complete patient report to oncoming RN, ensures documentation is complete, physician orders are signed off, and patient rooms are in order.
• Communicates pertinent information to RN, physician, and patients as needed.
• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean and wears appropriate identification while on duty.
• Completes annual health, safety, and education requirements. Maintains professional growth and development.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and/or employee information to assure patient and/or employee rights are protected.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care to the patient population served.
• Attends all mandatory in-services and staff meetings.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics, and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Maintains current licensure/certification for position, if applicable.
• Demonstrates Guest Relation’s skills to patients, physicians, visitors, employees, and any other individuals with whom they may come in contact.
• Follows departmental and hospital Health, Safety, Security, Hazardous Materials policies and procedures.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Organize tasks, develop action plans, set priorities, and function under stressful situations.
• Maintain good working relationship with co-workers.
• Must read, write and speak fluent English.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• Graduate from an accredited Registered Nursing program.

Licenses/Certifications

• Health Services\RN  - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure Upon Hire Required
• Health Services\BCLS - Basic Life Support Facility-Specified Required
• Health Services\ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Facility-Specified Required

Experience

• Minimum one year training and experience in Critical Care.
• Able to communicate effectively in English- both written and verbal