Position Purpose

The Rapid Response Nurse is part of a multidisciplinary team (Respiratory Therapist, X-Ray, and Lab) and when necessary will consult with other medical personnel to determine and administer interventions and treatments for patients who manifest potential lifethreatening symptoms. Assists the primary Nurse in assessing and stabilizing the patient’s condition and communicates to the patient’s attending physician to determine the patient’s care plan and if the patient should be transferred to a higher level of care.

Role Specific Competencies

1. Adheres to the purpose and objectives of nursing practice of the Department of Nursing Services, utilizing approved protocols to intervene in urgent situations on the patient’s behalf.

• Collaborates with the patient’s primary nurse on the status of the patient requiring the Rapid Response Nurse. Rapid Response nurse will assess patient with the primary care nurse.
• Must be knowledgeable in SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) method to communicate information about the patient.
• Receives report from the Primary Nurse on the status of the patient requiring “Rapid Response”.
• Documents an evaluation of the patient’s response to the interventions.
• Communicates routinely with the physician to provide and gain information which will facilitate patient care.

2. Ensures patient safety.

• Uses equipment and supplies as intended. Reports missing or malfunctioning equipment appropriately and following up on service.
• Accept assignment and functions effectively and efficiently to ensure that patient needs are met.
• Continually rounds in patient care areas and assists with the care of patients in non-emergent situations.
• Provides education to staff on the underlying circumstances which changed the patient’s condition.
• Mentors and supports staff in the execution of care to patients via skill enhancement / demonstration / education.
• Supports patient throughput initiatives by directive, delegation or individual initiation.

3. Organizes and carries out emergency protocols.

• Recognizes potentially life-threatening clinical situation and intervenes appropriately to prevent complications by implementing standing orders and protocols.
• Rapid Response Nurse evaluates clinical findings in/or relating to patient history and ongoing therapies. Determine interventions in coordination with other medical personnel regarding treatment/ interventions.
• Functions effectively in clinical emergencies, demonstrating an ability to implement Emergency Cardiac Orders appropriately.
• Assist the primary nurse in assessing and stabilizing the patient’s condition and organizing information to be communicated to the patient’s attending physician. Rapid response nurse also communicates with the patient’s attending physician. Patient’s primary nurse documents the assessment and physician call in their patient’s nursing notes.
• Utilizes Intensivist back-up in case attending physician does not respond and the patient is unsafe in their current setting.
• Rapid Response Nurse is part of a multidisciplinary team (respiratory therapist, x-ray, and lab) and when necessary will consult with other medical personnel.
• Roles as Rapid Response Nurse are to educate, mentor and provides support to the primary nurse. Stress to the primary nurse on the floor that they maintain responsibility for the patient.
• Rapid Response Nurse will check every test that is ordered and provide that information to appropriate individuals attending physician and when necessary with the Intensivist.
• If patient transferred to higher level of care, assist with the transfer. C ommunicate with family about what is going on with the patient.
• If necessary, Rapid Response Nurse will assist in monitoring patient until patient is transferred. If necessary, communicate with the Administrative Nursing Supervisor and Charge Nurse in ICU.
• Feedback to primary care nurse on patient condition and their role in improving the care of their specific patient.
• If patient is not transferred, Rapid Response Nurse will recheck the patient an hour later after the initial call.

4. Participates in programs designed to increase the effectiveness of nursing practice.

• Participates in the process of performance improvement related to Rapid Response Nurse. Data collection to include reasons for activation, location of call, interventions, the number of interventions, and outcome. Time of calls and number of calls for Rapid Response Nurse.
• Attends at least one continuing education program, including unit in-services, mock drills, and external conferences.
• Attend departmental and executive meetings to provide information as necessary. Collects and provides outcome data to stakeholders through graphs, e-mail communication and presentations. Gather statistics related to rapid response outcome versus codes, long term impact on nursing retention and financial benefits.

 Qualifications and Experience

• ACLS certification.
• Current C PR/BLS is required.
• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing.
• RN license in Maryland or compact state

 Physical Requirements

• Concentrates on moderate to fine detail for extended period of time.
• Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to hear normal sounds and with some background noise.
• Remembers schedules, tasks to be completed and where activities left off, etc.
• Sitting, standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Understands and can operate from the conceptual basis of tasks and activities.