The role of a Clinical Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Aga Khan University Hospital involves providing specialized, high-quality healthcare to critically ill patients. This role requires comprehensive patient assessment, continuous monitoring, complex intervention management, and participation in emergency procedures and quality improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Complete assessment and re-assessment of patients to identify their care needs.
- Develop written care plans based on patients' changing needs, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
- Initiate cardiac monitoring (room and central), be able to interpret monitor trends, and communicate critical changes to the physician and Nurse manager.
- Carry out other hemodynamic monitoring to include CVP, ICP, neurological and fluid status; lab, radiological and ABG evaluations.
- Document all assessment data, investigation results, care given, discussions with the multidisciplinary team, family/patient interactions in an accurate, comprehensive, and timely manner.
- Prepare for and assist the physician in emergency procedures necessary for prompt control of the patient’s condition, e.g., intubation, insertion of invasive lines and drains.
- Initiate mechanical ventilation (invasive and non-invasive) based on physician orders.
- Assess the patient’s readiness for weaning and implement the weaning and extubation protocols.
- Maintain adequate airway management to include oxygen therapy, nebulization, and suctioning.
- Perform pain assessment and initiate analgesia as per protocol.
- Be able to perform hemodialysis as instructed, care for the patient undergoing hemodialysis, and disconnect the patient from the Hemodialysis upon completion of the therapy.
- Accurately administer all medication as per the treatment order sheet. Particular attention is drawn to inotropic support: dilution, calculation, and infusion.
- Identify patient and family education needs and implement appropriate teaching.
- Be able to commence enteral feeds as prescribed, assess absorption and elimination, and give feedback as appropriate.
- Be able to recognize a patient in a pre-arrest or arrest state, activate the Emergency Response Team, and actively participate in the resuscitation of the patient.
- Provide a safe environment for patients through adherence to infection control practices and other safety policies, and perform timely safety checks on beds, IV pumps, oxygen source, ventilators, and cardiac monitors.
- Be accountable for judicious and efficient use of resources, i.e., accurate and timely billing of ward stock drugs and consumables.
- Care for equipment through proper cleaning, storage, per shift check of the inventory, and timely reporting and follow-up of nonfunctional equipment to the nurse manager.
- Participate in unit-based nursing education, quality improvement (QI) projects, clinical care program certification (CCPC), audits, spot checks, and skill checks.
- Participate in orientation of new staff and provide mentorship to junior nurses and students.
- Assist in other related Critical Care Units in time of low census.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing from a recognized school of nursing or University.
- Current licensure with the Nursing Council of Kenya.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
- Demonstrate evidence-based knowledge of current practices in Critical Care nursing.
