Summary

The Rapid Response Team (RRT) Nurse is a registered professional nurse who functions under the direction of the Nurse Manager and is responsible for coordination of Rapid Response Team assessment of patient, prioritization and implementation of interventions to ensure optimal patient outcomes, documentation of interventions and outcomes, communication with other team members and disciplines, and safe delivery of age appropriate and culturally aware patient care. The RRT Nurse is accountable for addressing the patient/family biological, emotional, developmental, psychosocial and education needs. The RRT Nurse serves as a resource/support to the staff, physicians, patients, families, and other departments. The RRT Nurse is responsible for RRT calls, follow-up visits, RRT data collection, entry and analysis, development of RRT practice guidelines, evaluation of patient codes and informal education of staff.

Job description

Job Summary

The Rapid Response Team (RRT) Nurse is a registered professional nurse who functions under the direction of the Nurse Manager and is responsible for coordination of Rapid Response Team assessment of patient, prioritization and implementation of interventions to ensure optimal patient outcomes, documentation of interventions and outcomes, communication with other team members and disciplines, and safe delivery of age appropriate and culturally aware patient care. The RRT Nurse is accountable for addressing the patient/family biological, emotional, developmental, psychosocial and education needs. The RRT Nurse serves as a resource/support to the staff, physicians, patients, families, and other departments. The RRT Nurse is responsible for RRT calls, follow-up visits, RRT data collection, entry and analysis, development of RRT practice guidelines, evaluation of patient codes and informal education of staff.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Patient Care

Responds to RRT calls.
Coordinates patient care during events including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes
Communicates with medical staff, nursing staff, other disciplines and departments as required to ensure optimal patient outcomes
Intervenes in patient crisis to promote quality patient care
Documents assessment, interventions, and outcomes in patient medical record; utilizes SBAR documentation
Develops and implements clinical practice guidelines for RRT.
Monitors patient outcomes and conducts follow-up as required
Assesses patient and family or support system needs
Educates patient, families or support system as required and documents
Educates staff pertaining to RRT.

Data Monitoring

Collects, monitors, and trends RRT data
Analyzes data to determine opportunities for improvement; reports findings to medical staff and nursing leadership as requested
Recommends improvements required to promote optimal patient outcomes to medical staff and nursing leadership
Initiates and implements improvements related to RRT based on data trends
Analyzes patient code data to identify trends and makes recommendations for improvements based on data
Monitors near miss events to identify and initiate prevention measures to promote quality patient care

Professional Practice

Serves as professional role model within professional nursing utilizing professional clinical judgment
Serves as a mentor in the development of peers and clinical staff
Liaison between medical staff and patients and families
Creates and maintains supportive work environment conducive to quality patient care including taking corrective action when needed
Supports fiscal accountability for human and material resources
Collaborates with Nurse Manager to recruit and retain staff
Supports performance improvement initiatives designed to promote quality patient care
Promotes professional nursing practice through shared governance, evidence-based practice and ethical accountability
Maintains confidentiality

Performs other duties as assigned. Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

Associates Nursing or Diploma (Nurse) Nursing or Bachelors Nursing-Preferred
ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support or ARC-ALS - Amer Red Cross Advanced Life Support or ACLS-I - ACLS - Instructor
BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor
RN - Reg Nurse (Single State) or RN-COMPACT - RN - Multi-state Compact
Current American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support credentials upon hire required
National certification in critical care nursing upon hire preferred
Minimum 2 years of nursing practice in a critical care environment
Current AHA Basic Life Support credentials required
Ability to read, write and speak the English language
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
Inter- and intra-departmental coordination of patient care activities
Delegation skills required
Ability to multi-task essential
Ability to function in stressful and emergency situations essential
Strong detail orientation required; Computer skills required
Personal time management skills are required
Compliance with the American Nurses' Association Code of Ethics for Professional Nurses is required
Demonstrates knowledge of and practices within parameters outlined in Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act

Company overview

Wellstar Health System is one of Georgia's largest and most comprehensive integrated healthcare systems, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. As a non-profit health system, Wellstar operates with a mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person it serves through its PeopleCare approach. The system employs approximately 29,469 to 33,000 team members across multiple hospitals, health parks, medical offices, outpatient centers, pediatric centers, nursing facilities, and hospice and home care services. Wellstar is nationally recognized for operating Georgia's largest integrated trauma network and features the second-largest Emergency Department in the United States. The organization provides more than $1 billion annually in charity care and community programs, demonstrating its commitment to community health. Wellstar has earned numerous accolades including recognition on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, Best Workplaces in Health Care, and PEOPLE Companies that Care lists. The system embraces innovation through its venture firm Catalyst by Wellstar, which nurtures early-stage healthcare companies, and maintains academic partnerships with institutions like the Medical College of Georgia for caregiver training. With specialties spanning cardiovascular care, oncology, women's health, pediatrics, musculoskeletal services, and numerous other medical disciplines, Wellstar delivers comprehensive healthcare across all stages of life.