Senior Registered Nurse - Vascular Access (Nights)

Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission: the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that’s served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It’s our passion.

The RN is a licensed professional who uses the Parkland nursing professional practice model to coordinate patient care delivery, that focuses on a particular patient population(s)/specific health conditions, by the health care team. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses the patient, identifies nursing diagnoses based on responses to health problems, develops and implements an individualized plan of care, and evaluates the patient's response. The RN utilizes knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to assist patients to transition through the healthcare encounter without any preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions to health care personnel based on the Texas Nursing Practice Act, each patient's condition and the competencies of the employee.

Minimum Specifications

Education

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• Prefer Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Experience

• Must have two years of nursing experience.
• Prefer experience in an acute care, critical care, or Radiology setting.

Equivalent Education and/or Experience

• None

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Must have current, valid RN license or temporary RN license from the Texas Board of Nursing; or, valid Compact RN license.
• Must have current healthcare provider CPR course completion card from one of the following:
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Military Training Network.
• Must have current Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Certification must be from one of the following:
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Military Training Network
  • Required Tests for Placement

Skills or Special Abilities

• Provides care to assigned patient population in accordance with the current State of Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plan of care, and clinical area specific standards.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide direction to non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and/or serve on rotation as a Charge Nurse as needed
• Must be able to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs when requested.
• Must successfully complete extensive training that includes PICC concepts, sterile technique, vascular anatomy and physiology, use of ultrasound guidance, classroom work, and hands on application during orientation period of up to 90 days.
• Must be able to successfully complete chest x-ray and tip location ECGs.   
• Provides continuous assessment, consults with other team members as required and provides nursing care which demonstrates patient centered/patient valued care.
• Exercises independent judgment in providing nursing care and takes initiatives in recommending changes to care plan.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide direction to non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and serve on rotation as a Charge Nurse.
• Must be able to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of nursing standards of care for PICC Services.
• Utilizes national nursing organization resources/standards of practice in decision making and when designing projects and in-service educational programs.
• Must practice cost containment, monitor and adjust resource utilization, and exhibit professional and personal accountability.
• Must possess leadership abilities, a high degree of confidentiality, positive interpersonal skills, and an ability to function in a fast-paced environment.
• Must demonstrate appropriate use of sterile technique and adhere to safe infection control practices.
• Must demonstrate clinical proficiency performing ultrasound guided PICC insertions, maintaining aseptic technique while utilizing measures that prevent patient discomfort and trauma related to the procedure.
• Must demonstrate high-level skills in critical thinking and assessment related to Vascular Access devices.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a patient advocate by focusing on patient needs, patient rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences. Serves as a resource for patients and other healthcare team members for specific clinical patient care issues. Provides patient care educational information and training to patient and family members for those requiring care in the Radiology Department. May participate in community outreach activities (such as health fairs, and community collaborations of outreach clinics) as assigned.
• Maintains and implements knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact or govern Radiology nursing practice, and ensures that Parkland Hospital is in compliance. Develops effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal laws and the program requirements of accreditation agencies and federal, state, and private health plans. Maintains and updates knowledge and appropriate utilization of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, and materials.
• Performs appropriate patient assessments including continuous surveillance. Participates consistently in Universal Protocol and site marking identification. Recognizes changes in a patient's condition and provides appropriate interventions as necessary and ordered. Consults with other team members as required, notifies providers to report changes in patient condition and implements orders in a timely manner. Exercises independent judgment in providing and prioritizing safe nursing care to patients.
• Must be able to manage a radiology patient with varied medical conditions. Must provide safe medication administration using the patient's six (6) rights, provide maintenance and management of IV access. Must be able to provide emergency resuscitation care of an adult.   
• Administers sedation and analgesia. Physiologically monitors patient during procedures and uses monitor to record physiological status and documents accordingly. Assesses and monitors patient condition including vital sign monitoring and recognition of ECG changes, and initiates appropriate nursing interventions.
• Completes appropriate documentation. Maintains accurate and timely entries in patient care records and hospital documents. Ensures that all records and documents meet the standards, goals, and objectives of the Radiology department and Parkland.
• Works with other staff in providing direction to non-nursing staff. Participates in information exchanges with nursing and other Parkland staff that support the standards, mission, goals and objectives of the Radiology department and Parkland. Provides appropriate hand off any time care is relinquished. Seeks and utilizes direction from more experienced staff and team members as needed. Serves as Charge Nurse as needed.  
• Serves as a preceptor or trainer to newer nursing and clinical staff members as well as student trainees.
• Prepares and conducts an in-service educational program for the Radiology Nursing Department at least once per year.
• Identifies ways to improve work processes and patient and customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the Radiology department and Parkland. May serve on various unit and interdisciplinary committees as opportunities present.
• Proactively anticipates and responds to the needs of patients, their families, physicians, and coworkers. Demonstrates an energetic and positive approach to work. Maintains a positive working relationship with all Parkland internal and external customers, employees, etc. Demonstrates a sense of ownership and pays attention to details of the job to ensure all mandatory obligations are met.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in radiology nursing practice by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals and actively participating in professional organizations. Maintains State of Texas Licensure as a Registered Nurse, plus any additional required licensures/certifications . Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.

Parkland Health and Hospital System prohibits discrimination based on age (40 or over), race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, national origin, marital status, political belief, or veteran status. As part of our commitment to our patients and employees’ wellness, Parkland Health is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.