Intrathecal Pump Registered Nurse

Shepherd Center; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Shepherd Center seeks an experienced intrathecal pump RN to perform patient assessments, pump refills, dose adjustments, and education within our rehabilitation clinic, collaborating with physicians and the healthcare team to ensure safe, effective therapy.

Requirements include an unrestricted RN license, 5+ years clinical nursing experience (rehabilitation or critical care preferred), BSN or higher, and proficiency with MS Office and mobile apps.

Qualifications

• Current unrestricted RN licensure.
• 5+ years clinical nursing experience (rehabilitation nursing and/or critical care/IV therapy preferred).
• BSN or higher level of nursing education required.

Responsibilities

• Perform patient assessments, intrathecal pump refills, and dose adjustments.
• Educate patients and caregivers on intrathecal therapy and device care.
• Collaborate with physicians and APPs to ensure appropriate orders and patient safety.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Customer service

Education

BSN or higher

Tools

MS Office Suite

Mobile apps

Electronic Health Records

Job description

About Shepherd Center

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked byU.S. Newsas one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again. Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers, strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have kept over 12% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years.

The intrathecal pump RN meets the needs of patients with implanted intrathecal pump (ITP) devices through comprehensive patient assessments, nursing interventions, pump refills, dose adjustments, and patient education. This RN demonstrates professional leadership while providing nursing care under the direct supervision of the physician within the clinic setting. Care is reviewed and adapted accordingly to physician and patient goals. Responsible for all elements of the nursing process including assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcomes/planning, implementation, and evaluation. In addition to the primary job functions, this nurse also provides telephonic support and other nursing needs of the department. Acts as a resource for patients, caregivers, clinical staff, external case managers, and the overall healthcare team. Collaborates with the prescribing physician/APP, patient, and caregiver(s) to ensure orders for intrathecal therapy are appropriate and actionable. Performs job duties in a manner consistent with the American Nurses Association and all applicable State Board of Nursing standards. Successfully completes the assigned training program & associated competencies upon hire to include serial observations and return demonstrations. Promotes integrative care techniques to assist the patient with symptom management to improve quality of life and safety; maintains patient records in compliance with Shepherd Center policies as well as state and regulatory bodies. Monitors and updates EHR as well as manufacturer’s device portal for intrathecal pump therapy. Ensures close monitoring of all outpatients receiving ongoing intrathecal therapy, which includes scheduled pump refills, interrogations, and dosage adjustments as directed by the physician. ITP nurse will also round monthly across all inpatient, post acute, and outpatient areas to confirm uploads of our interrogators have occurred. Educates patients and caregivers and promotes informed decisions and integrative care to assist the patient with symptom management while collaborating with physician/APP to achieve overall goals of intrathecal drug therapy. Tailors' education to demonstrate age and cultural competence. In addition to intrathecal pump procedures, this RN will also be part of the greater nursing team within the clinic where teamwork is abundant. Opportunities to provide traditional nursing care include patient assessments, medication preparation and assistance with injection-related procedures, urologic catheter management, wound care, venipuncture, rehabilitation nursing education about various topics like bowel care, nutrition, and pressure injury prevention Strong clinical background to demonstrate a mastery of standard protocols vs. urgent responses & interventions. Demonstrates ability to quickly assess and react to changes in patient conditions, signs and symptoms of overdose or withdrawal from intrathecal therapy. Recognizes other secondary complications of ITP therapy including medication adverse interactions, infection, catheter displacement, and other neurologic implications. BLS and ACLS certification required. *Other job duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Current unrestricted RN licensure.
• 5+ years clinical nursing experience (rehabilitation nursing experience and/or critical care/IV therapy experience preferred).
• BSN or higher level of nursing education required.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and teamwork skills; Excellent customer service and critical thinking skills; Ability to work independently and to be resourceful; Proactive problem solver.
• Proficient in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe PDF, and applications integrated in smartphones and tablets.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, see, hear; use hands and fingers regularly, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 5 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.

We’re often recognized among the best employers and as a best place to work. Many of our staff have been here for decades. We have a culture of hope, humor, and hard work that helps patients achieve their highest levels of independence with dignity.