Registered Nurse (RN) - Cath Lab

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing or Allied Health Technology; i.e., Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, etc.
• Graduate of Cardiovascular Interventional Program or minimum of two years of experience as a Cardiovascular Specialist

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION:

• Registered with and certified by the ARRT or current license as a Registered Nurse in applicable state
• Registry or license as it pertains to Allied Health field of expertise

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Adheres to the general hospital standards to promote a cooperative work environment by utilizing communication skills, interpersonal relationships and team building. Following hospital policies and procedures. Following departmental policies and procedures. Contributing to the overall quality of services. Assuming responsibility for keeping informed about changes in policies and procedures.

Ensures readiness of emergency equipment and supplies, recognizes, and reacts appropriately to potential emergency situations. Checking readiness of supplies and equipment for emergency cases. Applying knowledge of illness, injury and disease assessment process and recognizing those symptoms needing immediate intervention. Recognizing when a situation is critical and requires immediate attention. Initiating call/codes or contacts appropriate resources needed to provide or obtain emergency services. Providing emergency assistance as required and/or directed by the appropriate authority or emergency team leader. Remaining up-to-date on ACLS/BCLS.

Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment to patients, self, co-workers and facility. Maintaining IV fluids, stock drugs, emergency drugs and controlled substance, auditing amounts, expiration dates and reporting such findings to Pharmacy. Safeguarding the rights of patients and hospital personnel to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential manner. Providing patient comfort. Demonstrating safety consciousness through knowledge and adherence to safety standards. Applying knowledge of safe and effective use of equipment. Demonstrating proper technique and calibration of equipment when performing daily checks. Maintaining a safe and therapeutic physical environment and minimizing risk of injury by promoting fall precautions, use of side rails and other safety practices. Reporting any equipment malfunction. Operates all equipment needed for any aspect of invasive or interventional cardiology, including IABP. Prepares medications and checks emergency equipment for proper function prior to initiation of catheterization. Operation and quality control of all radiographic equipment. Maintains a good working knowledge of all equipment utilized to ensure continuous effective operations of the facility. Maintains working knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures involved in the operation of radiographic and fluoroscopic cardiac catheterization equipment. Works within required regulations for radiation safety and protection, involving all personnel and patients. Consistently utilizes Universal Protocol.

Maintains files and compiles records according to procedure as required for accurate and current departmental records and/or reports. Creating, maintaining and documenting, via electronic information systems, accurate records, files and logs for departmental records. Entering correct patient data, assigning appropriate charges for exams and recording/collecting data for Quality Assurance monitors. Percentage of error within acceptable standards. Ensuring complete, accurate and timely written communication of patient information. Completing documentation on appropriate forms, i.e., Cath Lab, nursing notes, Patient/Family Education Documentation Form, narcotic sheet, Code Blue sheet, etc. Completing consistently all parts of documentation system per hospital/unit policies. Understanding of HeartLab archiving equipment

Communicates to the team, co-workers, patients and family members in an effective positive and professional manner. Communicating information to patients and family members and evaluating understanding of information provided, i.e., diagnostic tests, special procedures, etc. Promoting a cooperative working environment by utilizing therapeutic communication skills. Communicating and addressing conflicts with appropriate personnel, utilizing listening skills and showing sensitivity. Promoting customer satisfaction by being responsive to patient and family needs. Communicating expectations to assigned team members with tact, and in a clear, concise and thorough manner .Ensuring that critical patient information and data is communicated effectively across the continuum of care. Developing and maintaining communication with others to effectively plan and coordinate activities, maintaining workflow, responding quickly to requests and keeping others informed of work progress. Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the department/organization. Utilizing Universal Protocol process for patient ID, procedure, etc.

Provides coverage for 24-hour emergency call for Cardiac Cath Lab. Rotating on call responsibilities with other staff members. Responding in a timely fashion (within 25 minutes) to emergency calls. Facilitating activities between departments to ensure prompt patient care.

Administers patient care as mandated by licensure, certification or registration. Monitoring patient to insure physiologic stability throughout the procedure. Utilizing advanced knowledge to properly administer prescribed medications and treatments under the direct supervision of the physician. Performing and assisting in procedures using skilled techniques. Evaluating patient prior to procedures, checking for appropriate consent and patient ID reporting any alarming patient conditions, explaining the procedure to patient, answering and/or researching patient questions. Positioning patient properly and/or comfortably, attaching protective, diagnostic and/or monitoring devices properly. Assessing the patient's physical needs. Evaluating effectiveness of nursing intervention. Carrying out physician orders.

Provides instruction, education and consultation to co-workers, new employees and trainees. Participating in Continuing Education lectures and meetings. Providing educational support for co-workers. Participating in the instruction and orientation on proper techniques, procedures and use of equipment. Attends 80% of in-services. Maintains competencies (hospital and departmental)

Performs and maintains competency for point of care testing as assigned. Ensuring compliance with NCBH polices and applicable state and federal regulations. Maintaining annual competencies – written and observed. Participating in daily EQC when assigned and covers absences as needed. Documenting appropriately POCT data in SENSIS (Cardiac Cath Lab)

Ensures age/developmentally appropriate patient procedures are provided in accordance with Age-Specific Care Guidelines for the specific age groups served. Demonstrating knowledge of physical, motor/sensory, mental, psychosocial, safety and developmental factors in the Age-Specific Care Guidelines. Integrating Age-Specific Care knowledge in assessing patient needs and in planning, prioritizing, delivering and documenting patient care. Communicating information, education, and patient needs sensitive to age and development level of the individual patient/family. Maintaining competence related to age-specific patient care by regularly updating knowledge of growth and development, the aging process and strategies to meet related needs.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• CPR certification
• ACLS certification within 90 days
• Able to communicate on a professional level with physicians, nurses and other ancillary professional staff when discussing patient care, procedures or problems
• Able to comprehend instructions
• Able to obtain/communicate information to patients of varying age group and at their level of comprehension.
• Analytical skills necessary for problem assessment and solution with schedules and equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Moderate noise environment

• May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases

• Regularly exposed to risk of blood borne diseases

• Frequently exposed to radiation hazards

• Exposed to a variety of electro-mechanical hazards

• May be exposed to odorous/toxic chemical

• Subject to injury from moving parts of equipment

• May be exposed to/occasionally exposed to patient elements

• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations

• Handles emergency and crisis situations

• Subject to many interruptions

• Subject to irregular hours

• Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries

• Occasional exposure to unpleasant patient or unit elements

• May perform emergency care

• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances