The Registered Nurse provides therapeutic care to patients using the nursing process, coordinating care and education for patients and families. Responsibilities include performing assessments, administering medications, and managing high-acuity patients in telemetry or intensive care units.
As an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, the Registered Nurse utilizes the nursing process to provide therapeutic care to patients. The Registered Nurse is accountable for the coordination of patient care and education to the patient and family in accordance with the standards, policies, and practices in a compassionate, supportive, and therapeutic environment.
Departmental Specific Summary
Essential Duties Follows policies and procedures; demonstrates ability to access online manuals. Transfers learned scientific knowledge into practical application in applying the Nursing Process. ASSESSMENT Appropriately completes Nursing Assessment upon patient admission, at each shift and with change of condition. Completes patient acuity by 0200/1400 daily. DIAGNOSIS Interprets assessment information and formulates Nursing Diagnoses. PLAN Develops Plans of Care with individualized interventions. Documents expected/projected patient outcomes. Reviews/Revises/Updates Plans of Care daily based on evaluation and interpretation of patient outcomes. INTERVENTION Administers medication and IV therapy appropriately at prescribed intervals. Completes patient care procedures correctly per policy at prescribed intervals. Delegates tasks based on others’ scope of practice and competency. Acts as patient advocate. Manages restraint use per policy Attempts alternative non-restraint measures first. Assures complete MD order per policy. Ensures MD assessment per policy. Assures patient monitoring per policy. Ensures Restraint Audit Form is completed each shift. DOCUMENTATION Documentation is complete and correct on all flow sheets and chart forms: Admission Assessment Pain scale assessment and reassessment before and after intervention Daily flow sheet Restraint flow sheet Diabetes flow sheet Room/unit orientation Plan of Care Identifies knowledge deficits related to diagnoses and care Uses and provides MICROMEDEX information to patients and families. Educational flow sheet Kardex Care Plan Risk Assessment & Reassessment upon Fall MAR Equipment & Supplies Intra and Inter Facility Transfer Forms Belonging Tracking Form Ensures orders are transcribed and signed off prior to the end of the shift. Completes 12h/24h chart checks EDUCATION Provides patient/family education as needed
Room/unit orientation
Plan of Care
Identifies knowledge deficits related to diagnoses and care Uses and provides MICROMEDEX information to patients and families TRANSFER & DISCHARGE
Collaborates with Case Manager and/or physician regarding discharge planning.
Ensures all transfer paperwork is completed.
Ensures belongings are sent with patient. EQUIPMENT Utilizes patient care equipment appropriately and safely according to manufacture guidelines
IV pump
Feeding pump
PCA pump
Epidural pump
Sequential compression device
Wound VAC
Heating pad/pump COMMUNCATION Communicates effectively with all members of the healthcare team including patient and family:
Manages time effectively. Able to organize and prioritize responsibilities.
Takes meal breaks without incurring overtime.
Completes shift on time. OBSERVES REGULATORY AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:
National Patient Safety Goals
Patient identifiers
Unapproved abbreviations
Universal Protocol (Procedural Time Out)
Hand-Off
Medication Reconciliation
Clinical Alarms
Other
Hazardous waste management
Biohazard
Medication
Sharps
HIPAA
OSHA requirements (i.e. no food or drink in clinical areas)
JCAHO – continuous survey readiness
Critical Values
Write Down
Read Back
Follow up
Telephone order
Appropriate
Documented
Signed, Timed and Dated
Stamped
Entered into unit log
Maintains safe practice in the work environment
Correct body mechanics
Electrical safety
Infection Control Procedures
Hand Washing MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF MEDICAL SURGICAL PATIENTS
(6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with THA.
(6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with TKA.
(6N) Demonstrates the ability to manage patients with spinal surgery
(6S) Demonstrates the ability to maintain isolation precautions, respiratory and nutrition care specific to cystic fibrosis patients.
(6S) Demonstrates the ability to manage medications and maintain protective isolation precautions for patients with abdominal organ transplants.
(6S) Institutes safety precautions and skin care for patients with hepatic encephalopathy. MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF PATIENTS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT/S
Demonstrates the ability to manage complex critically ill patients. Neurosurgery, thoracic-forgut, gastric bypass, orthopedic. Liver/kidney/pancreas transplants, hepatobiliary. Open heart, heart and lung transplants.
Demonstrates the ability to manage advanced therapeutic modalities. Hemodynamic monitoring. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT, CVVHD). Ventriculostomy, intracranial pressure monitoring. Ventricular assist devices, balloon pumps. MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF PATIENTS IN THE STEPDOWN/TELEMETRY UNITS
Demonstrates the ability to manage high acuity patients requiring specialized monitoring and care. Status post open heart, heart transplant, lung transplant. Status post liver/kidney transplants, orthopedics, hepatobiliary, general surgeries. Status post thoracic-forgut, gastric bypass, neurology, neurosurgery.
Demonstrates the ability to manage advanced therapeutic modalities. Ventilator care. Arterial/CVP lines. Ventricular assist devices. Lumbar drains. QUALITY MEASURES
Accurately identifies patient that fit Core Measure criteria
Completes Core Measure Documentation Identifies and participates in data collection and process improvements related to Nurse Sensitive Quality Indicators PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Participates in professional hospital/nursing activities Relief Charge Nurse Nursing committees/councils Hospital Teams Unit Based Projects Research Published peer review article. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Req Bachelor's degree Nursing Degree in Nursing (BSN) Req 0-1 year Must have less than 1 year of acute care experience as a Registered Nurse. Req Current knowledge of treatment practices. Req Knowledge of medical procedures and conditions and ability to understand, follow and successfully perform duties, including whole blood collection, and apheresis procedures, in accordance with administrative and clinical policies, regulations and procedures. Req Registered Nurse - RN (CA Board of Registered Nursing) Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only) Req Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association *Required for Departments: Intensive Care, Step-down, Telemetry. RNs without prior telemetry or critical care experience will be required to obtain ACLS within 180 days or by the end of orientation, whichever is sooner. Pref Specialty Certification Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital’s world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.
The hourly rate range for this position is $45.76 - $98.80.
When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
USC is an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.
USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.
USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety.
Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.
Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.
Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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Requirements
Requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a valid California RN license. Candidates must have less than one year of acute care experience and hold BLS and ACLS certifications.
bachelor degree
professional certificate
Patient Advocacy
Care Planning
Medication Administration
Patient Assessment
Patient Education
Critical Care
Clinical Documentation
IV Therapy
Nursing Process
Ventilator Care
Telemetry Monitoring
Hemodynamic Monitoring
Posting details
Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
0-2 yrs
Salary
$46 - $99/hr
Location
Los Angeles, California
Posted
Jul 27, 2026
Application
Employer website
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Market context
California nursing roles remain highly competitive
California nursing roles often draw steady demand, especially for experienced RNs in procedural and critical care settings. Competition is strongest for candidates who already hold a California RN license, current BLS and ACLS, and recent ICU, ER, or PACU experience. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then confirm your certifications and highlight relevant bedside and procedural experience in your application.
