Critical Care Nurses :: Job Description

ExistingUsers

User Name:

Password:

Forgot your password?
Click here

NewUsers

FeaturedResources

Critical Care Nurses

Careers / Critical Care Nurses

Summary Description


	Provide advanced nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Burn Center Nurse

2.	Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Registered Nurse

3.	Catheterization Laboratory Senior Manager (Cath Lab Senior Manager)

4.	Critical Care Nurse

5.	Critical Care Nurse Practitioner

6.	Critical Care Nurse Specialist

7.	Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)

8.	Critical Care Unit Manager

9.	Critical Care Unit Nurse

10.	ICU Staff Nurse (Intensive Care Unit Staff Nurse)

11.	Intensive Care Unit Nurse

12.	Neonatal Critical Care Nurse

13.	Pediatric Critical Care Nurse

14.	Progressive Care Nurse

15.	Registered Nurse Supervisor (RN Supervisor)

16.	Staff Nurse

17.	Staff Nurse, ICU Resource Team (Staff Nurse, Intensive Care Unit Resource Team)

18.	Step-Down Nurse

19.	Telemetry Nurse

20.	Vascular Nurse

Job Tasks

	Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions. Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. Treat medical emergencies.

	Evaluate patients' vital signs or laboratory data to determine emergency intervention needs. Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.

	Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices such as cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, or pressure lines. Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use. Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

	Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods. Administer non-intravenous medications. Administer intravenous medications.

	Assess patients' pain levels or sedation requirements. Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.

	Conduct pulmonary assessments to identify abnormal respiratory patterns or breathing sounds that indicate problems. Test patient heart or lung functioning.

	Monitor patients' fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.

	Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings. Record patient medical histories.

	Prioritize nursing care for assigned critically ill patients, based on assessment data or identified needs. Develop medical treatment plans.

	Compile and analyze data obtained from monitoring or diagnostic tests. Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.

	Administer blood and blood products, monitoring patients for signs and symptoms related to transfusion reactions. Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. Administer blood or other fluids intravenously.

	Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, endoscopy, endotracheal intubation, or elective cardioversion. Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.

	Document patients' treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, or plan revisions. Record patient medical histories.

	Collect specimens for laboratory tests. Collect biological specimens from patients.

	Collaborate with other health care professionals to develop and revise treatment plans based on identified needs and assessment data. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

	Identify malfunctioning equipment or devices. Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.

	Advocate for patients' and families' needs, or provide emotional support for patients and their families. Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.

	Perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon patients' clinical status.

	Identify patients who are at risk of complications due to nutritional status.

	Assess patients' psychosocial status and needs, including areas such as sleep patterns, anxiety, grief, anger, and support systems. Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.

	Assess family adaptation levels and coping skills to determine whether intervention is needed. Assess patient work, living, or social environments.

	Ensure that equipment or devices are properly stored after use.

	Coordinate patient care conferences.

	Identify patients' age-specific needs and alter care plans as necessary to meet those needs. Develop medical treatment plans.

	Supervise and monitor unit nursing staff. Supervise patient care personnel.

	Participate in professional organizations and continuing education to improve practice knowledge and skills. Maintain medical or professional knowledge.

	Participate in the development, review, or evaluation of nursing practice protocols. Establish nursing policies or standards.

	Plan, provide, or evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, interdisciplinary health care team members, or community members. Conduct health or safety training programs. Train medical providers.

	Provide post-mortem care.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Registered Nurses
	Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Registered Nurses
	Registered nurses work in hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. Others work in correctional facilities or schools, or serve in the military.

	Read More >>

<< Previous Page

Next Page >>

Interesting Fact

Danny DeVito once worked as a janitor.

Did you know...

The CareerMatch™ system scores and ranks 748 different careers based on your responses to the four career assessment tests!