About the position
Ansible Government Solutions, LLC (Ansible) is currently seeking multiple Critical Care Registered Nurses to provide essential support at the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center located in Houston, TX. This role involves delivering critical care nursing to patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and may extend to Community Based Outpatient Centers (CBOC). The position offers multiple shift schedules, and candidates must be aware that assigned schedules may change based on the needs of Ansible or its clients. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Ansible is dedicated to providing Federal customers with innovative solutions across various sectors, including healthcare, national security, and information technology. Our team is composed of intelligent and committed professionals who prioritize the success of our customers as if it were their own. In this role, nurses will be responsible for obtaining patient histories, assessing patients, and planning appropriate nursing care. They will document care plans and the care provided in the patient's medical record, ensuring that all physician orders are verified and documented accurately. Critical thinking and communication skills are essential, as nurses will need to relay pertinent patient data to charge nurses and physicians, reassess patient conditions, and adjust care plans accordingly. The role also requires administering medications and IV therapies, interpreting cardiac rhythms, and initiating life-saving measures when necessary. Nurses will instruct patients and their families on prescribed medications and therapies, ensuring that they understand the care being provided. The position demands a high level of professionalism, adherence to the VA's customer service standards, and respect for patient rights. Nurses will also be responsible for maintaining accurate records of fluid intake and output, reviewing laboratory data, and ensuring that all medication orders are noted and executed appropriately. This role is critical in ensuring the highest standards of care for our veterans and requires a dedicated and skilled nursing professional.
Responsibilities
- Provides critical care nursing to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients
- Obtains patient history and pertinent family history
- Assesses patient and plans appropriate nursing care
- Documents plan of care and care given in patient's medical record
- Verifies transcription of Physician orders; no verbal orders are to be accepted
- Carries out prescribed Physician orders and documents inpatient medical record
- Communicates pertinent patient data to the Charge Nurse and/or Physician as appropriate
- Re-assesses patient's condition and revises plans-of-care based on problems that are identified
- Administers medications and Intravenous (IV) therapies
- Possesses knowledge of actions and usual dosages of the most commonly used emergency drugs and their location on the crash cart
- Assesses and documents patient responses to medications that have been administered
- Can interpret cardiac rhythms and their implications
- Reorganizes and initiates the appropriate measures in emergencies/therapies and surgical/diagnostic procedures that must be accomplished
- Instructs patients and their families regarding prescribed medications/therapies and surgical/diagnostic procedures that must be accomplished
- Assesses patient/family knowledge level, implements plan of instructions, and records the patient's family's demonstrated level of understanding
- Operates defibrillator, electrocardiogram (EKG) machines and cardiac monitors, and other emergency technical equipment
- Cares for patients with Swan-Gans catheters, arterial lines and mechanical ventilators
- Participates in discharge planning
- Can initiate life saving measures in the absence of Physicians
- Assures the content and correctness of a prepared report and signs the document to validate its content
- Maintains a neat personal appearance and maintains professional decorum
- Consistently applies the VA's customer service standards, always demonstrating helpful, courteous, and respectful conduct
- Respects patient rights, including but not limited to visual and auditory privacy
- May accept a verbal order in compliance with the facility policy
- Intake and output of fluids assessed every shift, and more frequently if indicated by specific standard nursing drug care
- Reviews all laboratory data and electronic medical records
- Can titrate medications
- Can be responsible for feeding tubes which are aspirated for gastric residue prior to every intermittent feed, and every four hours for continuous tube feedings
- Performs urinary catheter care by using soap and water cleaning technique every 12 hours, or as required
- Ensures that medication orders from the previous shift have been noted and either carried out or transcribed onto the medical records
Requirements
- Completion of an accredited Registered Nurse academic program (BSN or ADN)
- Current Registered Nurse licensure in at least one state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia
- American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- American Health Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification
- Three (3) years of recent Critical Care RN work experience is required
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist
- Ability to lift up to 20 lbs
- Ability to carry up to 40 lbs a reasonable distance
- Ability to push/pull with 30 lbs of force
