Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Aga Khan University Hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan and Nairobi, Kenya are private, not-for-profit institutions providing high quality health care. The Main Hospitals serve as the principal sites for clinical training for the University's Medical Colleges and Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Pakistan and East Africa. Our Vision of Aga Khan University Ho...

Responsibilities or duties

Complete assessment and re-assessment of patients to identify their care needs

Develop written care plans based on patients changing needs, monitor and evaluate effectiveness of interventions

Initiate cardiac monitoring both 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 patient’s condition e.g. intubation, insertion of invasive lines and drains

Initiates mechanical ventilation (invasive and non-invasive) based on physician orders

Assess 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 patient undergoing hemodialysis and disconnect 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 states, and to activate Emergency Response Team and actively participate in the resuscitation of the patient

Provide 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

Participate in unit based nursing education, quality improvement (QI) projects, audits, spot checks and skill checks

Assist in other related Critical Care Units in time of low census

Any other assignment that is deemed appropriate for this level.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

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)

Demonstrate evidence based knowledge of current practices in Critical Care nursing

• Complete assessment and re-assessment of patients to identify their care needs
• Develop written care plans based on patients changing needs, monitor and evaluate effectiveness of interventions
• Initiate cardiac monitoring both 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 patient’s condition e.g. intubation, insertion of invasive lines and drains
• Initiates mechanical ventilation (invasive and non-invasive) based on physician orders
• Assess 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 patient undergoing hemodialysis and disconnect 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 states, and to activate Emergency Response Team and actively participate in the resuscitation of the patient
• Provide 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
• Participate in unit based nursing education, quality improvement (QI) projects, audits, spot checks and skill checks
• Assist in other related Critical Care Units in time of low census
• Any other assignment that is deemed appropriate for this level.

• Cardiac monitoring and interpretation
• Hemodynamic monitoring (CVP, ICP)
• Mechanical ventilation (invasive and non-invasive)
• Airway management (oxygen therapy, nebulization, suctioning)
• Pain assessment and management
• Hemodialysis care
• Medication administration (including inotropic support)
• Patient and family education
• Enteral feeding management
• Emergency response and resuscitation
• Infection control practices
• Quality improvement projects
• Mentorship

• 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)
• Demonstrate evidence based knowledge of current practices in Critical Care nursing