An RRT nurse is a "rapid response team nurse" who is part of a medical team that includes other healthcare professionals trained in critical care who can respond to a medical emergency in the hospital. The RRT is a team of healthcare providers that responds to hospitalized patients with early signs of deterioration on non-intensive care units to prevent respiratory or cardiac arrest). The RRT nurse is a key member of the team and is an experienced critical care unit nurse who responds to all medical emergencies within the hospital. The RRT nurses role requires excellent customer service, assessment, sound clinical judgment, and critical thinking skills. The RRT nurse responds to urgent and emergency patient needs, performs proactive rounds looking for the beginning stages of patient deterioration, and is a clinical resource for all staff. The RRT nurse utilizes intense assessment and critical thinking skills in a manner that supports quality patient care and optimum outcomes. The RRT nurse is able to delegate, coordinate, and provide safe, therapeutic nursing care to patients and families. The RRT nurse makes decisions based on the RRT Standardized Procedure and takes action regarding a wide range of routine and complex patient issues. The RRT nurse collaborates with appropriate disciplines to coordinate continuity of patient care in support of the medical and nursing plans of care.