WEEKEND RN/BENEFITS

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a skilled and dedicated Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Emergency Department in Kankakee, Illinois. The RN will provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients undergoing various emergency treatments. This role involves assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical and interpersonal skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a commitment to excellence in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Additionally, this position requires flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Patient Assessment and Care Planning: Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Develop and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
• Treatment Administration: Administer medications, treatments, and procedures as ordered by provider. Monitor patient responses to treatments and adjust care plans as necessary to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Patient Monitoring: Continuously monitor patients' vital signs, physical condition, and response to interventions. Document all observations and changes in patient status accurately and promptly.
• Coordination of Care: Collaborate with physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care and manage treatment plans effectively. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute to discharge planning.
• Patient Education: Educate patients and their families about their medical conditions, treatment options, and post-discharge care. Provide support and resources to help patients manage their health and recovery.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes. Ensure compliance with all regulatory and hospital documentation standards. 
• Patient Experience: Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• Employee Experience: Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Offer constructive feedback and assistance to peers, and engage in open communication to promote a culture of mutual respect and teamwork.
• Emergency Response: Respond to medical emergencies with quick and effective intervention, including performing life-saving procedures and stabilizing patients as needed.
• Infection Control: Adhere to infection control protocols and ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and staff. Implement standard precautions and safety measures to prevent the spread of infections.

Non-essential Duties

• Participate in ongoing professional development and training to stay current with best practices and advancements in emergency nursing.
• Assist in the orientation and training of new staff members and students as needed.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives when applicable.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of two years of acute care nursing experience preferred.

Required Licensure/Education

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Illinois.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• TNCC or TNS within 18 months
• ENPC within 24 months
• ECRN within the 24 months. Only ECRN's can answer the EMS communication radio.
• Mental Health First Aid or Crisis Prevention Institute Certified (CPI) within first year of hire
• PALS within the first year
• ACLS within the first year
• *New Graduate RNs starting on or after 1/1/25 must earn Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 3 years of start date. 

Preferred Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree preferred*
• Professional nursing certification in area of specialty preferred.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS manual 
• Video Display Terminals: Average 
• Blood and Body Fluids: Diagnostic composite of patients, frequent contact with intravenous devices and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids and administration of blood create a high risk. Universal precautions and protective equipment greatly reduce the risk. 
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Patient diagnostic presentations do pose high risk, however, usage of protective wear, universal precautions and negative pressure areas reduce risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch): 

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/MDs. Ability to ask for help. 
• Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, ability to read reports, ability to read machines. 
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, calls for help and to hear patient verbalizations; ability to listen for lung, bowel, heart sounds. 
• Touch: Necessary to assess patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.): Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25'-150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs
• Normal weight: 5lbs
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs Occasionally 
• Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, omnicell, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IV's.

Leg Strength up to 50 lbs: Occasionally

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 6-40
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards: Radiation, Chemical, Other - Occasional exposure to x-ray in patient room to chemotherapeutic agents, frequent exposure to sharp needles, blades. 

Protective Clothing Required: As needed for Universal Precautions, special isolation (gloves, gowns, masks).