Job Title
Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit (Telemetry)
Job Summary
This role is for a dedicated Registered Nurse to join our Progressive Care Unit (PCU), often referred to as a Step-Down or Telemetry unit, in Great Falls, Montana. The PCU nurse provides specialized care for hemodynamically stable or predictably unstable patients who require a higher level of monitoring than a general medical-surgical unit but do not necessitate intensive care.
The patient population is diverse, including post-operative surgical patients requiring intensive monitoring, individuals undergoing pre and post-cardiac interventions (PCI, pacemaker placement, revascularization), and those with complex medical conditions such as CHF, COPD, DKA, renal failure, DVT, PE, and sepsis. This position demands skilled assessment and intervention to recognize and manage potential deteriorating conditions.
The Progressive Care Nurse will collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team, provide direct patient care from admission through discharge, and act as a clinical leader, assisting with precepting and guiding support staff. The ability to float and support the Medical Surgical Nursing Unit as needed is also a component of this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive direct patient care from admission to discharge, including discharge planning.
- Conduct skilled assessments and interventions for hemodynamically stable or predictably unstable patients, recognizing and responding to potential deterioration.
- Administer and manage a range of IV medications, including non-titrated Dobutamine and Dopamine.
- Operate and monitor advanced medical equipment, including central lines, arterial lines, chest tubes, nasogastric tubes, continuous bladder irrigation, and multiple IVs.
- Care for patients requiring invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support, including CPAP and BiPAP.
- Collaborate effectively with physicians, charge nurses, and other professional disciplines to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Act as a clinical leader, assisting with precepting new staff and providing direction to LPNs, CNAs, and other support personnel.
- Maintain professional nursing standards and effectively interact with patients and their significant others.
- Adhere to established hospital policies and procedures with minimal supervision.
- Provide support to the Medical Surgical Nursing Unit as staffing needs require.
Required Qualifications
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Montana.
- Minimum of 1 year of experience in a Progressive Care Unit, Step-Down, or Telemetry setting.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire).
Preferred Qualifications
- Emergency Pediatric Nurse Course (EPNC) certification.
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certification.
- Prior pediatric patient care experience.
- Experience with post-heart catheterization patients.
- Experience with post-operative vascular surgery patients.
Skills & Competencies
- Proficiency in advanced nursing principles and procedures.
- Expertise in cardiac telemetry and EKG interpretation.
- Competency in managing central lines, arterial lines, chest tubes, and nasogastric tubes.
- Ability to operate multiple IV pumps and advanced medical equipment.
- Experience with continuous bladder irrigation (CBI).
- Skilled in managing patients on stable invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support (CPAP/BiPAP).
- Strong critical thinking and clinical assessment skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.