The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing is seeking a Staff Nurse (RN) for the Lower Level Short Stay Unit (LL JCP). The unit is part of UI Health Care's Medical Surgical Services (MSS) Division. Lower Level features 30 private patient rooms and is designed to care for patients admitted to UI Health Care under observation or recovery level of care, with a focus on timely treatment.

The patient population cared for on this unit includes both medical and surgical patient populations who are typically admitted to the hospital for an estimated 24-48 hour stay. Patient diagnoses frequently treated as medical observation include but are not limited to chest pain, abdominal pain, back pain, and syncope. Surgical recovery patients include a variety of procedures under the care of the following services: orthopedics, urology, plastics, and cardiology, among others. We rely on teamwork to provide high quality and compassionate care as we provide patients the necessary care and education for them to make a safe transition home following their short stay in the hospital.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Communicates and interacts with patients, visitors, and other health care professionals in an effective manner and maintains positive, cooperative relationships

• Utilizes and maintains electronic communication systems to ensure communication among the health care team members and patients/families, including text pagers,  locator badges, wireless phones, and other new systems

• Provides information and direction to health care personnel and visitors coming to the unit, answers the telephone; takes and delivers messages and assists in keeping White Boards updated at least daily as appropriate

• Helps to answer call lights, maintain call-light system, and relay information in a timely manner to appropriate team members

• Proficient in navigating web-based resources and using online clinical and business applications

• Performs computer functions within scope of role as defined by the individual unit

• Maintains accurate census information; (e.g., timely ADT entry into IDX, Premise bed board activities, correct level of accommodation charges, and census reconciliation)

• Processes patient charges including batching charges in a timely manner, as appropriate

• Notifies appropriate health care professionals of a patient admission and prepares the required forms with patient identification information

• Completes and maintains hospital and nursing records

• Uses appropriate medical terminology and symbols, i.e. verbal, written and electronic

• Assists health care providers in scheduling patient tests and appointments

• Practices standard precautions in infection control in accordance with institutional policy

• Assists staff during emergencies, and other patient cares and services as directed

• Maintains a process for ordering, obtaining, and storing supplies that is cost effective and meets unit needs

• Participates in unit staff meetings and in-services

• Performs other projects or tasks as assigned

   

Percent of Time: 100%25 - 40 hours per week
Schedule: Day shifts, Monday - Friday (0600-1430), no weekends or holidays
Location: University Campus, Iowa City, IA
Merit Pay Plan: https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/pay-plans/merit-pay-plan

Benefits Highlights: 

• Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa
• Fringe benefits package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life, and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
• For more information about Why Iowa?, click here

Minimum Eligibility Requirements: 

• Graduation from high school and any combination of clerical experience, health care experience and/or post high school education which totals one year, or
• Any combination of clerical experience and/or health care experience which totals two years.

Desirable Qualifications: 

• 6 months of clerical experience

• Public contact/customer service experience

• Medical terminology knowledge

• Proficiency in MS Word and MS Excel

• Excellent communication skills

Please include a resume with your submission. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. For questions or additional information, please contact the Kylie Guy at kylie-guy@uiowa.edu.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.