Experienced Registered Nurse (RN) - Code Team - Duke Life Flight

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Experienced RN/Clinical Nurse II – Duke University Health System - Code Team - Duke Life Flight

Duke University Health System seeks to hire a Clinical Nurse who will embrace our mission of Transforming Lives Transforming Care.

The Life Flight Code Team Nurse will perform a variety of activities within their scope of practice to include the delivery of high quality emergency care as a rapid response team tending to ill or injured persons of all ages in designated areas of the DUH campus. This rapid response utilizes an advanced life support (ALS) care delivery model to stabilize, resuscitate or administer care needed within the scope of the ALS Emergency Nurse.

Job Summary:
As a Clinical Nurse with Duke University Health System, you will make providing service your priority while caring for the whole person in a patient-centered atmosphere. The Clinical Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing and supervising direct and indirect total nursing care responsibilities. Utilizing the nursing process (assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating) in achieving the goals of the nursing department. Plan and provide advanced and/or specialized nursing care for patients in guided by DUHS Professional Practice model participate in the clinical ladder program, educational activities, departmental committees, research projects or other health related projects as assigned. Provide nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the scope of the RN as defined by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Adheres to all rules and regulations of all applicable local, state and federal agencies and accrediting bodies. Actively participates in outstanding customer service and accepts responsibility in maintaining relationships that are equally respectful to all.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Obtain pertinent history and perform a physical examination based on comprehensive knowledge, advanced skills and sound professional judgement.
• Obtain historical data from an environmental survey, attending medical personnel, patient or significant other, and existing documentation.
• Complete a systematic, rapid primary assessment and a prioritized secondary survey.
• Analyze and assess available diagnostic data.
• Revise plan of care as new information becomes available.
• Provide an emergency level of care environment with qualified personnel capable of initiating advanced skills in order to stabilize and resuscitate ill or injured adult and pediatric patient populations. Initiate appropriate, timely interventions, per program protocols, in a priority sequence.
• Utilize Advanced Skills prioritizing the patient’s needs based on potential or actual needs. (i.e. needle decompression of tension pneumothoraces and intraosseous line insertion).
• Proficient and competent use of advanced and basic life support equipment.  i.e. noninvasive blood pressure monitor, pulse oximetry, EKG monitor / defibrillator, external pacemaker, portable suction and airway adjuncts. Communicate essential information to all appropriate members of the healthcare team. Evaluate patient progress, analyze data, and modify the planning and implementation of care based on patient response throughout the transfer process. Maintain contact with and utilize Medical Control to deviate from established protocols.
• Provide comfort and optimal physiological and psychological support in a changing environment.
• Provide protection and adapt patient care in response to changing environmental conditions. (i.e. noise, precipitation, wind, heat, cold and humidity). Assess the immediate emotional status of the patient and anticipate changes needed in the plan of care. Provide patient and family with information regarding transport process.                             
• Communicate between referring unit staff and receiving healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care where applicable. Obtain report from referring unit personnel where applicable. Document patient assessment, re-assessment and care provided on the electronic medical record system utilized by Duke Life Flight (Zoll - emsCHARTS). Utilize appropriate radio procedures to communicate during movement of patient or team.
• Act as a liaison between patients, families, referring healthcare professionals and DUHS staff.
• Plan, organize and maintain equipment and supplies for use before, during and after emergency response calls. Perform inventory of code team supplies / equipment every shift with restocking after each call is complete. Maintain equipment repair as needed.
• Provide and maintain a safe environment for fellow code team members, the patients, assisting agencies, and ancillary personnel.

• Usage of all safety equipment (i.e. fire extinguishers)
• General DUH campus procedures, emergency codes and announcements
• Environmental survival
• Keep proficient with managing crowds, critical thinking and decision making
• Preparation and loading of the patient where applicable
• All persons and equipment are secured at all times

• Stay proficient in use of all Code Team emergency equipment (i.e. Stryker stretchers and LUCAS device, response packs, portable suction, monitor/defibrillator, glucometer, medications)

Work Hours & Shifts:
Full Time:  3 – 12 hour shifts (36 hrs/week)

Rotating Shifts 7a – 7p/7p - 7a or 9a-9p/9p-9a
Location: Duke University Hospital

Knowledge, Skills, Education, and Experience Preferred:

• A minimum of two years current Emergency Department nursing experience as a registered nurse (RN). Additional pre-hospital experience in a Paramedic or EMT role preferred
• Physically fit to allow for functional movement in confined spaces encountered on DUH campus when responding to emergency calls
• Current certification in BLS, ACLS, PALS
• Successful completion of Code Team Response nurse orientation
• CBO to be completed within 1 year of hire date
•  Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a diverse, autonomous environment.

Licensure, Certification or Registration Required:

• Graduation from an accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher), Associate's Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma program is required.
• All registered nurses without a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (or higher) will be required to enroll in an appropriate BSN program within two years of their start date and to complete the program within five years of their start date

• Current registration with North Carolina State Board of Nursing as a registered professional nurse OR current compact RN licensure to practice in the state of North Carolina required.
• BLS (or higher) certification required.
• Professional specialty certification (preferred) –NRP, ITLS, PHTLS, BTLS, TNCC or TPATC.