Scope of Service

The Queen Emma Tower Neuroscience ICU (NSICU) is a 14-bed ICU with 8 beds on QET4D and 6 beds on QET 5D. The NSICU is dedicated to the care of patients with neurological illness. The unit operates on a 24-hour basis, with 24-hour neurointensivist and neuroscience acute care nurse practitioner coverage. QMC has the only dedicated NSICU in the State of Hawaii and supports Hawaii's first (and currently only) TJC Comprehensive Stroke Center, the only American College of Surgeons Level I Trauma Center and only NAEC Level IV Epilepsy Center.

QET 4D/5D NSICU provides care for adult, geriatric, and pediatric patients. The most frequent admissions/diagnoses include: post-op from neurosurgical or neurointerventional procedures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, ischemic stroke, intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, CNS tumors, status epilepticus, and neuromuscular illnesses such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and myasthenia gravis.

The NSICU can also provide care to overflow medical, surgical, and cardiac ICU patients

Responsibilities

I. JOB SUMMARY/RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for coordinating clinical care of patient. Integrates all health care providers to ensure high quality patient/family outcomes, and establishes a consistent and accountable relationship with patient/family. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, initiation and development of the plan of care, patient/family education, utilization management and discharge planning.

II. TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Essential functions- Continuous: lifting up to 1/2 lb., seeing, hearing, talking, grasping, fingering. Frequent to continuous: standing, walking, stooping, forward reaching, handling. Frequent: pushing and pulling up to 30 psi, lifting up to 10 lbs., sitting, bending. Occasional to frequent: squatting, twisting. Occasional: pushing and pulling up to 70 psi; lifting: horizontal lift/carry up to 75 lbs. with assistance, floor to waist up to 35 lbs., waist to shoulder up to 25 lbs., overhead level up to 15 lbs.; carrying up to 35 lbs, running, climbing, side bending, kneeling, crouching, overhead reaching. Operates various machines/tools/work aids.

III. TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Inside work. Exposure to body fluids, blood products, and communicable diseases. Work environment may be highly stressful, fast paced and hectic. Assignment to inpatient adult psych areas and Family Treatment Center includes occasionally accompanying patients outdoors. Management of confused/disoriented and combative patients may involve tasks which may compromise physical safety.

IV. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A. Education/Certification and Licensure:
1.Licensure: Registered Nurse, State of Hawaii
2.Diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing; Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing preferred.
3.Current BLS/HCP card in all areas; ACLS, NALS and/or PALS in designated areas.
4.Ability to read, write, speak and understand English effectively.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements for Experienced RN:

A. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE:

• Current ACLS certification.
• Current PALS certification. If not certified upon hire, must obtain within three (3) months of entrance into the position.

B. EXPERIENCE:

• Twelve (12) months of ICU RN experience required, preferably within the last three (3) years.