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The MERIT nurse leads clinical bedside emergencies and responds to elevated MEWS alerts to prevent patient decompensation. They partner with providers to optimize code responses and mentor staff to improve overall patient outcomes.
Requirements summary
Requires an Associate's Degree in Nursing (BSN preferred) and at least 2 years of critical care or emergency department experience. Must hold an active Kentucky RN license and certifications in BLS, ACLS, and CCRN.
Summary: UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with five hospitals, four medical centers, nearly 200 physician practice locations, more than 700 providers, the Frazier Rehab Institute and Brown Cancer Center. With more than 12,000 team members—physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly skilled health care professionals—UofL Health is focused on one mission: delivering patient-centered care to each and every patient each and every day.
Job Description
The Medical Emergency Response Interventional Team (MERIT) is staffed by highly experienced ICU nurses with diverse specialty backgrounds who use technology, innovation, and education to improve patient and quality outcomes. The MERIT nurse responds to and leads clinical bedside emergencies throughout the campus. Partners with the provider and nursing staff to optimize code response in terms of efficiency and to decrease incidence of inpatient hospital mortality. Leads debriefing with staff after a code is called. Mentors staff needing guidance in nursing care. Proactively responds to elevated MEWS alerts and nursing concerns at the bedside to prevent patient decompensation. Provides follow up with patients transferred out of the ICU to reduce unplanned returns to the ICU. Essential Functions:
Conducts systematic, continuous and comprehensive assessments of patient health status from admission or encounter to discharge across the care continuum to ensure patient safety, collaborating with the healthcare team, patient and family. Care addresses all aspects of the individual and family, including age, gender, spiritual, cultural, physical, psychosocial and patient preferences
Administers medications per licensure authority, assesses and reassesses the effects of these medications, and documents administration in a timely manner per policies, procedures and regulatory requirements. Consistently adheres to patient safety guidelines regarding all aspects of medication administration
Collaborates with the healthcare team, plans care using current scientific knowledge, theory, and care standards within the nursing interventions and outcomes framework and national patient safety goals. Constructs individualized, age specific plans for optimal patient and family outcomes, as appropriate to the practice setting. Incorporates data from the multi-disciplinary Care Team into the plan of care to assure continuity and appropriate patient teaching
Collaborates with healthcare team, identifies and prioritizes patient problems based on subjective and objective assessment data, patient safety considerations, patient and family goals and preferences, and nursing interventions and the medical plan of care
Implements nursing care interventions to meet patient and family center health care needs. Evaluates care by performing regular and systematic reviews of patient /family responses to interventions; revises the multi-disciplinary plan of care in collaboration with other care Team members to promote desired outcomes
Recognizes care variances and takes steps to prevent or intervene with potential or real adverse events to promote safe care
Competently and consistently assesses, conducts and evaluates the outcomes of patient and family teaching, from admission, or episode of care, to discharge. Teaching reflects sensitivity to age, learning needs and cultural background
Tracks and trends quality and patient safety data Other Functions:
Serves as an advocate for the patient and family, demonstrates respect for their rights, responsibilities, and sensitivity to their preferences
Complies with HIPAA privacy and security requirements to maintain confidentiality at all times
Proactively uses safety surveillance to prevent adverse outcomes
Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of nursing practice
Demonstrates competent skills, appropriate clinical judgments and chain of command to promote patient safety and reach planned care goals and outcomes
Maintains compliance with all company policies, procedures and standards of conduct
Performs other duties as assigned Additional
Job Description
Education:
Associate’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program is (required) o All new-hire Associate Degree Registered Nurses (new graduate and experienced) are encouraged to start an approved BSN program.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program (preferred) Experience:
Minimum 2 years critical care or emergency department experience (required)
1 year of rapid response experience (preferred) Licensure:
Active Kentucky Registered Nurse License or compact license with privileges to work in Kentucky (required) Certification:
Basic Life Support (BLS) accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) (required)
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) (required)
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) upon hire or must be obtained within 1 year of hire (required) Job Competency: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities critical to this role:
Collaborates & Teamwork – works cooperatively and collaboratively with others toward the accomplishment of shared goals
Values Diversity – recognizes and embraces the unique talents and contributions of others
Services Orientation – desire to serve and focus one’s efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of internal and external customers
Achieves Results: reflects a drive to achieve and outperform. Continuously looking for improvements. Accepts responsibility for actions and results
Organizational Alignment: ability to align people, processes and organizational structure with UMC’s strategic direction
Develops Others: views people, their knowledge and capabilities as assets and provides opportunities that allow employees to continuously learn and develop
Communicates: practices attentive and active listening and can restate opinions of others; communicates messages in a way that has the desired effect
Integrity: conducts business with honesty and professional ethics. Seeks to achieve results in the best interest of the organization. Models and reinforces ethical behavior in self and others Language Ability:
Must be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats Reasoning Ability:
Able to critically think through complex patient situations, process improvements, evidence-based practice
Able to assist others in developing clinical reasoning skill Computer Skills:
Basic Microsoft, Excel, Word, Power Point Additional Responsibilities:
Demonstrates a commitment to service, organization values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times
Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times
Adheres to organizational and department specific safety standards and guidelines.
Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members
Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians, patients, residents, visitors, staff and the broader health care community UofL Health Core Expectation: At UofL Health, we expect all our employees to live the values of honesty, integrity and compassion and demonstrate these values in their interactions with others and as they deliver excellent patient care by:
Honoring and caring for the dignity of all persons in mind, body, and spirit
Ensuring the highest quality of care for those we serve
Working together as a team to achieve our goals
Improving continuously by listening, and asking for and responding to feedback
Seeking new and better ways to meet the needs of those we serve
Using our resources wisely
Understanding how each of our roles contributes to the success of UofL Health Work Environment/Job Activities: How often does the job require exposure to or completion of the following? Activities HIGH > 60% MODERATE 31 – 60% LIGHT 0 – 30% NONE 0% Local Travel 0 0 1 0 National Travel 0 0 1 0 Loud Noises 0 1 0 0 Working at heights above 4 ft. 0 0 1 0 Working in confined spaces 0 0 1 0 Risk of injuries from equipment on the job 0 0 1 0 Temperature extremes 0 0 1 0 Hazardous chemicals and fumes, including waste 0 1 0 0 Radiation 0 0 1 0 Burns 0 0 1 0 Cuts/Punctures 0 0 1 0 Bloodborne/airborne pathogens 0 0 1 0 Combative/violent people 0 1 0 0 Please specify other(s) and amount of exposure (i.e., High, moderate, or light) Physical Requirements: How often does the job require completion or use of the following? Activities HIGH > 60% MODERATE 31 – 60% LIGHT 0 – 30% NONE 0% Sitting, for example at computer workstation, for extended periods of time 0 0 1 0 Standing 0 1 0 0 Bending 0 1 0 0 Walking 0 1 0 0 Operating machinery 0 0 1 0 Dexterity 0 1 0 0 Vision 1 0 0 0 Hearing 1 0 0 0 Repetitive Motions 0 1 0 0 Lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs. 0 1 0 0 Lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects over 50lbs. 0 1 0 0 Standing or walking with objects up to 10 lbs. 0 1 0 0 Standing or walking with objects over 10 lbs. 0 1 0 0 Equipment Computer 1 0 0 0 Telephone 1 0 0 0 FAX 0 1 0 0 Scanner 0 1 0 0 Copier 0 1 0 0 Other physical activity or equipment usage if moderate or high (please explain): Acknowledgement: This job description is designed to list the essential functions, competencies, requirements, and activities of the job, all of which may change at any time with or without notice. I have read and received a copy of this job description. ________________________________ __________________________ ____________ Employee Name Employee Signature Date UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, nearly 200 physician practice locations and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital. With more than 14,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled health care professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care. Please login into Workday and search for Job Hub.
