Registered Nurse(ICU)-VA

Overall Purpose of The Job

This position will support the US Department of Veterans Affairs Critical Staffing Program.  The person in this position will represent International SOS and provide the services outlined below.   

RNs provide and coordinate patient care. They also provide education to patients and the public about illnesses, diseases, and heath conditions. They're licensed medical professionals who work with patients, doctors, and other health care workers. RNs provide high level of direct care to patient. 

Intensive care unit nurses work very closely with physicians and other members of the health care team. They need to be skilled to assess patient problem quickly and capable to use high tech equipment. They use their advanced skills to care for patients who are critically ill and at high risk for life-threatening health problems.  Most patients in a critical care unit are physically and mentally unstable and they require respiratory and heart monitoring as well as treatment adjustments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor exact, detailed reports and records of critical ICU patient. 
• Monitor and record symptoms and changes in patients' conditions and inform to physician. 
• Order, interpret and evaluate diagnostics tests to identify and assess patient's condition. 
• Carefully observe and document patient medical information's and vital signs. 
• Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings. 
• Document patients' treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, or plan revisions. 
• Consult and coordinate with health care team members about whole patient care plans. 
• Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patient's response and conditions. 
• Monitor the critical patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions. 
• Administering intravenous fluids and medications as per doctor order. 
• Monitor patients' fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances. 
• Direct and supervise less skilled nursing/health care personnel or supervise a particular unit on one shift to patient's response and conditions. 
• Treating wounds and providing advanced life support. 
• Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, endoscopy, endotracheal intubation, Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) and elective cardio version. 
• Collaborating with fellow members of the critical care team. 
• Responding to life-saving situations, using nursing standards and protocols for treatment. 
• Critical care nurses may also care for pre- and post-operative patients when those patients require ICU care. 
• Assess patients' pain levels and sedation requirements. 
• Prioritize nursing care for assigned critically ill patients based on assessment data and identified needs.

Job profile

Experience/Certification Required:  

• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.  
• 1-5 years ICU experience 
• CCRN Certification Preferred 
• Current ACLS and BLS certification.  Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) is preferred. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. 
• Work involves sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time. 
• May require bending, stooping and lifting to 15 lbs. 

Other Special Qualifications: 

• US Citizen or Permanent Resident Card is required.   
• Must relocate to project site for the duration of the contract.  
• Pass/possess VA Public Trust Clearance

Education required

Education Required: 

• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. 
• Current BLS certification.  Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) is preferred