SUMMARY:
Step-down/PCU jobs for Registered Nurses involve the care of patients who require close monitoring and frequent assessment, but who aren't unstable enough to need ICU care. Many Step-down/PCU patients receive complex medications that may require titration based on the vital signs. Many Step-down/PCU patients receive complex medications that may require titration based on the vital signs. The PCU/Intermediate Care Unit RN is sometimes also called a step-down nurse and the PCU is also known as cardiac step-down, medical step-down, neuro step-down, surgical step-down and ER holding.
STEPDOWN NURSE: INCLUDES, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Evaluate and monitor patient’s progress, exceptional assessment skills
Identify sudden or subtle changes in the patient’s medical condition
Calculating drug dosage, titrating medication doses, administering continuous medication infusion and monitoring patients for effects of medication
Maintain patient hemodynamic stability with proper nursing interventions as ordered
Working closely and collaborating with physcians and all other healthcare providers
Prepares, administers and records any additional prescribed medications
Prepares equipment and assist the physician with bedside procedures
Monitoring patients before, during, and after invasive procedures
Provide emotional support to acutely ill patients and their families.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of cardiopulmonary and respiratory emergencies and knowing how to start standard interventions to stabilize the patient
Recording symptoms, reactions, and progress
Developing, planning, implementing, evaluating, documenting, and managing nursing care
Patient and family education skills
Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans
Changes dressings, inserts catheters, starts IVs
Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms
Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- 1 year recent working experience as a RN in a Step-down/PCU/Intermediate Care Unit, ER, or ICU (not including clinical rotations)
- Current BLS and ACLS Certifications
- Current TB Screen
- Active/Unencumbered State Nursing license
- Valid Photo Identification/Driver's License
- Successful completion of a Background Check and Medely's screening process