RN- Progressive Care/Telemetry

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing comprehensive, patient-centered nursing care to adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients within the Cardiac Telemetry Unit. The RN utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate patient care while collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to promote optimal patient outcomes and ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational standards.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Assessment & Care Planning:

• Collect and assess health history information from patients, families, significant others, and previous medical records.
• Complete admission assessments within established timeframes, including appropriate Braden Scale assessments.
• Identify and communicate patient care needs, including required consults and referrals.
• Continuously assess and reassess patients' developmental, physiological, psychosocial, environmental, educational, self-care, and discharge planning needs.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized, age-appropriate plans of care in collaboration with patients, families, and caregivers.
• Establish realistic patient outcomes and interventions based on developmental stage, medical condition, and individual needs.
• Monitor patient progress and revise care plans as conditions change.
• Delegate patient care activities appropriately according to staff competency and patient acuity.

Direct Patient Care:

• Deliver safe, effective, and evidence-based nursing care according to established priorities.
• Coordinate patient care utilizing an interdisciplinary team approach.
• Promote patient safety, comfort, healing, and education throughout the continuum of care.
• Recognize and address age-related physiological and psychological needs, particularly among geriatric patients.

Documentation & Communication:

• Maintain accurate, timely, complete, and compliant documentation of patient assessments, interventions, treatments, medications, responses, and education.
• Ensure documentation meets organizational, Department of Health, and regulatory requirements.
• Update patient communication boards and bedside care information as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively with physicians, care team members, patients, and families regarding patient status and care plans.

Patient & Family Education:

• Assess patient and family learning needs, comprehension levels, and barriers to education.
• Provide age-appropriate education using approved teaching materials and resources.
• Reinforce patient understanding of disease processes, treatments, medications, and self-care requirements.
• Document all education provided in accordance with organizational standards.
• Provide and review educational materials upon admission and throughout hospitalization.

Discharge Planning:

• Initiate discharge planning upon admission and continue throughout the patient's hospital stay.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care conferences and discharge planning meetings.
• Prepare patients and families for discharge through education, instruction, and care coordination.
• Facilitate safe, timely, and effective patient discharges.

Medication & Order Management:

• Accurately transcribe, verify, and implement physician orders.
• Utilize electronic medical record and computerized systems effectively.
• Accept and document telephone orders according to organizational policy, including read-back verification.
• Clarify unclear, incomplete, or illegible orders before implementation.

Telemetry & Cardiac Monitoring:

• Apply and maintain telemetry monitoring equipment appropriately.
• Educate patients and families regarding cardiac monitoring and telemetry procedures.
• Collaborate with Telemetry Technicians to establish individualized alarm parameters.
• Interpret and document cardiac rhythms and telemetry strips accurately.
• Notify physicians promptly of significant arrhythmias, rhythm changes, or clinical concerns.
• Initiate chest pain protocols and appropriate cardiac interventions as indicated.
• Follow telemetry standing orders and established cardiac care protocols.
• Monitor and manage patients receiving high-risk intravenous cardiac medications.
• Assist with elective cardioversion procedures and related patient care activities.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and professional development activities.
• Maintain clinical competency and adhere to hospital policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred or currently enrolled in a BSN program.
• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.

Licensure:

• Current and valid New Jersey Registered Nurse (RN) License required.

Certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Required.
• Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) Preferred.

Experience:

• 12 years of Cardiac Telemetry nursing experience required.
• 12 years of acute care nursing experience required.
• Basic dysrhythmia interpretation experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong cardiac assessment and telemetry interpretation skills.
• Knowledge of cardiac medications, arrhythmia management, and emergency cardiac protocols.
• Effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple patient care responsibilities.
• Proficiency in electronic medical records and computerized healthcare systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.