The Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (LSH) is seeking a dedicated and experienced IV Nurse to join the IV Team in our intensive care unit. The qualified candidate would implement the nursing process in collaboration with the health care team to deliver skilled Intravenous therapy management to clients from the Community/DPH/DMH/ DOC/ DDS and Shelter. The IV Therapy team is a highly skilled group of nursing professionals who provide a key clinical service to our patients and who are highly valued by the staff nurses whom they support and partner with.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Initiates IV Therapy throughout the institution after receiving notification that a client is to have an IV/Heparin lock started.
• Assesses IV sites daily for infiltration, phlebitis, etc.
• Draws arterial blood gases for sampling.
• Demonstrates and applies knowledge of assessing sites of central line and changes all central line dressings per LSH policies and procedures and established standards of care.
• Troubleshoots IV lines when proper functioning is in question. Makes determinant if line needs to be changed.
• Responds to all Code emergencies and attempts IV access (peripheral).
• Functions in the capacity of a phlebotomist when clients require "STAT" blood draws.
• Adhere to infection control guidelines.
• Perform all procedures utilizing aseptic technique.
• Document interventions/procedures/situational occurrences in accordance with established standards of care, LSH/Nursing Department/Unit policies and procedures, Joint Commission, DPH and federal and state laws to insure safe and effective standards of nursing practice; documents response to procedures and any adverse or toxic effects and follow-up action taken; communicates findings and results of monitoring to health care team.
• Participates and contributes to departmental and hospital wide performance improvement activities/continuous quality improvement/risk management by assisting in data collection and analysis, identifying opportunities for evaluation and improvement in care or services, establishing performance improvement indicators and by involvement in and assessment of findings and actions taken to improve care.
• Maintains commitment and responsibility for professional growth and development by completing all mandatory review classes, acquiring, maintaining, and updating knowledge and skills required to perform processes involved in delivery of care specific to clinical unit and field, participating in performance appraisal process of self and peers and through participation in LSH/Nursing Department/Professional Nurse Organization (PNO) Committees, continuing education programs and professional organizations.
• Contributes to effective interpersonal and community relations to ensure the quality of patient care, promote a therapeutic milieu by functioning as advocate/resource person to staff/patients/ families/visitors/other departments and outside agencies regarding requested information and LSH Policies and procedures by investigating complaints/clarifying LSH Policies and Procedures and maintaining patient privacy/confidentiality at all times.
• Contributes to the safety/risk management/infection control program, productivity and cost effectiveness of the department and hospital by assessing and managing the environment to reduce safety and health hazards and minimize incidents/ accidents for patients/employees/visitors; by managing services, supplies, pharmaceutical stock, and equipment to ensure effective and economical use.
• Perform ICU unit specific competencies and related duties as required.
• Assists ICU staff in patient care when warranted.
• Demonstrates competence in assessing and providing age-appropriate care to all patients.
• Demonstrates competence in assessing and providing care that is cognizant of and sensitive to patient's cultural and spiritual needs.
• Responds to all RRT (Rapid Response Team).
• Inserts intraosseous needles during emergencies when IV venous access is unobtainable.
• Maintains CPR and ACLS certification.
• Functions on nursing units as staff RN when warranted.
• Ability to insert PICC lines utilizing venous ultrasound machine.
• Troubleshoots long line when occlusion in question.
• Follows up long lines to assure appropriate line placement (via x-ray) is in the super vena cava.
• Performs mid-line catheter insertion when warranted (1-2 weeks IV antibiotic therapy).
• Exude a positive attitude and always treats staff/ patients/ families/ visitors/ other departments and outside agencies with respect and dignity.

Required Qualifications:

• Satisfactory knowledge of the scientific theories and principles of nursing related to IV therapy and chemotherapy.
• Communicates effectively with staff and doctors.
• Effectively work as a team with staff on the nursing units.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Possesses physical and mental endurance with the ability to withstand stress.
• Knowledge of the types and characteristics of drugs utilized in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of types and application of emergency procedures, such as Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Establish rapport and deal tactfully with persons from varied ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.
• Maintain a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.
• Ability to document accurately and concisely.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years acute Med/Surg. experience or comparable experience in a related field.

About the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital:

Lemuel Shattuck Hospital is a fully Joint Commission accredited teaching facility that provides acute, subacute, and ambulatory care to patients referred by public agencies and private sector providers. Shattuck Hospital’s services help economically and socially disadvantaged patients to get high quality, cost-effective care from a staff that respects their dignity.

Located in the heart of Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, the Shattuck Hospital includes 248 inpatient beds including 95 Psychiatric beds and 29 Correctional Health beds. In addition, the Shattuck has a full outpatient clinic with many specialties that offers treatment to patients of the Department of Mental Health as well as Department of Correction and House of Correction inmates and community patients. The Shattuck hospital is on the forefront of substance use disorder treatment including a Suboxone clinic serving 200 patients. In addition to direct medical services LSH hosts and supports an array of services located on the campus, serving patients struggling with addictions and homelessness.

Learn more about Shattuck Hospital: https://www.mass.gov/locations/lemuel-shattuck-hospital

2024 Relocation information: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/dph-renovation-for-shattuck-hospital-replacement-building

Learn more about what it’s like to work as a DPH nurse.

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/dph-staff-spotlight-nurses

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website, http://www.mass.gov

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2

• Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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