Registered Nurse (RN)- Acute Medicine and Epilepsy (6 Central)

Build rare clinical expertise while caring for patients whose medical and neurological needs demand thoughtful assessment, vigilant monitoring, and highly coordinated nursing care.

Join 6 Central, a distinctive unit combining General Medicine with the specialized Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. You will strengthen your medical nursing practice while developing advanced competencies in seizure recognition, epilepsy diagnostics, patient safety, and interdisciplinary neurological care.

The Role

As a Registered Nurse on 6 Central, you will care for a varied patient population that includes General Medicine patients and adults and children undergoing advanced epilepsy evaluation. This blended practice offers the clinical variety of medicine nursing alongside specialized experience available in few inpatient settings.

When assigned to epilepsy care, you may support patients undergoing continuous EEG monitoring, medication tapering, seizure localization, intracranial monitoring, or evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy assignments typically use a lower patient ratio of approximately 1:3 to support close observation and specialized monitoring.

In this role, you will:

• Deliver comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care to General Medicine and epilepsy patients.

• Assess patients undergoing seizure monitoring and respond appropriately to changes in neurological or medical status.

• Implement seizure precautions, maintain patient safety, and follow emergency escalation protocols.

• Participate in daily interdisciplinary rounds with epileptologists and specialty team members.

• Review seizure activity, clinical findings, and individualized plans of care with the care team.

• Support EEG monitoring, advanced diagnostic workflows, and surgical evaluation processes.

• Educate patients and families while providing clear, compassionate communication throughout complex evaluations.

• Coordinate care across nursing, physician, epilepsy specialty, and ancillary teams.

• Promote safe mobility and provide close observation during seizure events.

• Practice in a team-oriented environment where nurses contribute directly to clinical discussions and patient planning.

Prior epilepsy experience is not required. New team members receive dedicated epilepsy-focused orientation, including education in seizure recognition and response, medication-withholding workflows, emergency medications, status epilepticus protocols, patient safety, and specialized monitoring processes.

Why UVA Health

At UVA Health, you will practice within an integrated academic health system where patient care, research, education, and innovation come together. University Medical Center is Magnet-recognized, reflecting a professional nursing culture committed to clinical excellence, collaboration, and the advancement of nursing practice.

6 Central is home to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and is part of the F.E. Dreifuss Comprehensive Epilepsy Program. The program holds Level 4 Epilepsy Center accreditation, the highest designation available, giving nurses exposure to complex epilepsy care, advanced neurological diagnostics, and specialized treatment pathways.

What sets this opportunity apart:

• Develop expertise within one of Virginia's few Level 4 Epilepsy Centers.

• Care for patients in an eight-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit serving adult and pediatric populations.

• Gain experience with intracranial monitoring, seizure localization, continuous EEG processes, and specialty diagnostic procedures.

• Work alongside epileptologists, physicians, and epilepsy specialists in a highly collaborative model.

• Receive structured education even if you are new to epilepsy nursing.

• Build competencies that may support pursuit of Epilepsy Nursing Certification.

• Maintain and expand your General Medicine foundation while developing a differentiated neurological specialty.

• Learn from visible, hands-on nursing leadership, with the Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager regularly present on the unit.

• Explore professional growth through clinical career pathways, shared governance, nursing research, quality improvement, and leadership development opportunities.

• Join a supportive team that values patient-centered care, continuous learning, and interdisciplinary partnership.

Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville

Located near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville combines natural beauty and year-round outdoor recreation with the culture, dining, history, and energy of a university community. Healthcare professionals and their families can enjoy access to hiking, cycling, local food and arts, wineries and breweries, and a welcoming smaller-city environment, creating space for both meaningful clinical work and a fulfilling life outside the hospital.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program required. Bachelor of Science in Nursing required within 5 years of hire.

Experience: 1 year of relevant experience.

Licensure: Licensed to Practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider BLS certification required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequently traveling, bending/stooping. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20 - 50lbs. May be exposed to chemicals, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings
• Long-term and Short-term Disability
• Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Certification and Education Support

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as "High Performing" in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children's is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.