Rehabilitation Nurse
A rehabilitation nurse specializes in assisting patients recover from illness or injury by creating recovery plans, providing care, and helping patients gain back their independence.
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Sample Job Descriptions for Rehabilitation Nurse
Below are the some sample job descriptions for the different experience levels, where you can find the summary of the role, required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
Junior (0-2 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
A Rehabilitation Nurse helps patients with long-term physical disabilities, or chronic illnesses, deal with limitations and reach their full potential. These nurses work with patients, and their families, to create a recovery plan and set short and long-term goals that promote patients' independence and help them adapt to an altered lifestyle.
Required Skills
- Strong clinical skills and knowledge of healthcare.
- Observational and monitoring abilities.
- Comprehensive understanding of nursing procedures.
- Empathy and psychological understanding.
- Good problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to handle sensitive issues with confidentiality and discretion.
Qualifications
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) accepted.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
- Physical stamina to cope with the demands of patient care.
Responsibilities
- Assist in developing individualized patient care plans in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
- Monitor patient vitals and progress, and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
- Educate patients and their families on how to manage their illness or injury.
- Provide emotional support to patients and their families during the recovery process.
- Document patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
- Ensure that the patient care environment is safe, secure, and conducive to patient well-being.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
- Administer medications as ordered by the attending physician and monitor for side effects.
- Help patients with their daily activities, such as getting dressed, walking, and eating.
Intermediate (2-5 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
As a Rehabilitation Nurse, you will work with patients who are recovering from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions to help them regain their abilities and manage their health. This role involves coordinating with a team of healthcare professionals to create and implement individualized care plans, providing a mix of hands-on patient care, patient education, and support to patients' families.
Required Skills
- Strong clinical skills with a knowledge of the rehabilitation process.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Good organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Qualifications
- Current registered nurse licensure in applicable state.
- Certification in rehabilitation nursing (CRRN) is preferred.
- Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or equivalent.
- 2 to 5 years of experience in a related healthcare setting.
- Current BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) certifications preferred.
Responsibilities
- Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records.
- Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients.
- Advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management.
- Monitoring patients' conditions, administering medications, and using medical equipment.
- Collaborate with a team of healthcare professionals to share expertise and ensure the best patient outcomes.
- Assist patients in performing activities of daily living and provide education designed to promote health, prevent disease, and enhance rehabilitation.
- Monitor and adjust specialized equipment used on patients, and interpret and record electronic displays.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
Senior (5+ years of experience)
Summary of the Role
Senior Rehabilitation Nurse is a specialized nursing position focused on helping patients recover from long-term illnesses or injuries. The role requires a deep understanding of patient care, rehabilitation techniques, and the ability to coordinate with a broad team of healthcare professionals to create and implement effective patient care plans.
Required Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of rehabilitation practices and patient care.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- Ability to think critically and make prompt decisions in emergency situations.
- Proficiency with healthcare software and electronic health records.
- Compassion and a strong desire to help patients improve their quality of life.
Qualifications
- Valid nursing license.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nursing.
- Certification in rehabilitation nursing (CRRN) is preferred.
- CPR and BLS certification.
- 5+ years of nursing experience with a focus on rehabilitation or a closely related field.
Responsibilities
- Assess patient conditions and develop treatment plans in collaboration with physicians and therapists.
- Administer medications and treatments as prescribed and monitor patient response.
- Educate patients and their families on the rehabilitation process and self-care techniques.
- Supervise and mentor junior nursing staff and nursing aides.
- Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure patient progress and the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts.
- Maintain detailed records of patient progress and care plans.
- Provide emotional support and promote patient independence.
- Stay current with the latest in rehabilitation treatments and techniques through continual learning and professional development.
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