Registered Nurse, Critical Care, Cardiac

Registered Nurse, Critical Care, Cardiac

The Critical Care Cardiac Surgery Nurse is proficient in the recovery of post-operative cardiac surgery patients, including post-operative CABG and valve replacement/repair procedures. The Critical Care Cardiac Surgery Nurse has experience with the use of intra-aortic balloon pumps and with ventricular assist devices such as Impella, Tandem Hearts, and ECMO.

The Registered Professional Nurse cares for patients by diagnosing and treating their responses to actual or potential health problems in the acute care setting through implementation of the nursing process. Coordinates care of other disciplines, delegates tasks to other nursing personnel, supervises care, provides direct patient care and evaluates outcomes. Maintains competence in clinical practice and assists in the development of nursing practice standards through participation in professional committees and organizations.

Primary responsibilities of the position include:

• The Registered Nurse will complete a patient assessment using subjective and objective data sources.
• Evaluates patient independence in ADL's.
• Identifies the patient's condition, functional status, and risk factors, i.e.: risk for falls, skin breakdown.
• Identifies the physiological, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients.
• Evaluates assessment data and establishes nursing diagnoses.
• Demonstrates the ability to assess patients based upon the age of the patient (specific to unit/department scope of service).
• Prioritizes patient needs and selects diagnoses which can reasonably be addressed in the acute care episode.
• Identifies patient problems for referral to post-hospitalization community agencies.
• Provides documentation for the verification of an ongoing assessment of the patient.
• The Registered Nurse will develop a PCP based on patient assessment,
• Develops a plan of care based on nursing assessment, input from other disciplines and involvement of the patient and/or family.
• Uses nursing practice standards and protocols.
• Establishes realistic measurable outcomes/goals.
• Establishes timeframes for goal achievement.
• Identifies nursing interventions to meet goals.
• Individualizes interventions according to the patient's condition and age.
• The Registered Nurse will deliver patient care as outlined in the PCP.
• Delivers nursing care based on the care plan, patient response to interventions, and input from other members of the healthcare team.
• Delivers nursing care in accordance with accepted standards of nursing practice.
• Appropriately assigns patient care tasks to non-R.N. staff members.
• Observes, and evaluates care given by other nursing staff members.
• Communicates observations through established channels.
• Documentation is complete, reflects use of the nursing process, and is accessed by other members of the healthcare team.
• The Registered Nurse will evaluate patient care.
• Assesses and documents the response of the patient/family to interventions.
• Assesses the level and timeliness of outcome achievement.
• Solicits and utilizes input from pertinent members of the healthcare team, including patient/family when evaluating the plan of care.
• Modifies the plan of care as required to meet patient needs/outcomes.
• The Registered Nurse will effectively communicate the patient's plan of care to all members of the health care team.
• Maintains communication through timely documentation in the medical record.
• Communicates with physicians and other health providers on changes of patient condition and patient responses to treatment on an ongoing basis.
• Determines equipment and supply needs of patients and assigns responsibility for delivery and maintenance of these items.
• Organizes nursing care assignments based upon patient acuity/need and staff education/skill/job description.
• Clearly communicates tasks and responsibilities to assigned staff members.
• Communicates periodically with assigned staff members to solicit patient care needs and responses to intervention.
• Collaborates effectively with nursing management, colleagues, other personnel, patient, and family members to coordinate and improve care delivery.
• The Registered Nurse will provide patient education and discharge planning,
• Assesses continuing care needs at time of admission and triggers appropriate consultations.
• Collaborates with discharge planners and other disciplines involved to develop, implement, and evaluate the discharge plan.
• Assesses patient teaching needs as part of the initial and ongoing assessment, sets goals and develops teaching plans consistent with the patient's educational level, learning readiness, and age.
• Implements and/or coordinates the teaching plan, evaluates results and adjusts the plan as necessary. Utilizes age-appropriate teaching strategies.
• The Registered Nurse will provide a safe environment based upon patient condition and age.
• Assesses patient risks for harm using the patient's assets and liabilities.
• Plans and implements and/or super-vises care delivery based on this assessment. Uses age-appropriate safety measures as indicated.
• Monitors own practice and the practice of ancillary staff in the use of equipment, conformity with safety policy and appropriate disposal of hazardous materials.
• Administers use of restraints in accordance with hospital policy.
• Initiates and maintains CPR until relieved by the Code Blue Team.
• Initiates Emergency Management Protocols in accordance with hospital policy
• Ensures emergency equipment maintained/checked per hospital policy.
• The Registered Nurse will assume responsibility for education and self- development. Demonstrates the ability to assess, treat, and/or care for patients based on the age of the patient (for populations defined in assigned unit's scope of service).
• Maintains competency in nursing practice, maintains current knowledge of advances in the profession, and completes the required mandatory in-services.
• Collaborates with nurse manager and CNS/Nurse Educator to identify learning needs and strategies to meet these needs on an ongoing basis.
• Attends continuing education pro-grams pertinent to maintenance and development of nursing expertise related to the area of chosen practice and keeps record of own education program attendance.
• Participates in nursing performance improvement activities and interdisciplinary research and study activities as requested.
• Demonstrates knowledge of lifespan development, ranges of treatment, and the ability to obtain and interpret information regarding patient age-specific needs.
• Functions within the standard of practice, policy, procedures, and guidelines of the nursing department.
• Participates in effort to continuously improve unit operations.
• Recognizes job relationship and functions effectively within the organizational structure.
• Adheres to the policies and procedures as outlined in the Exposure Control Manual regarding:
• Standard Precautions
• Bloodborne Pathogen
• Disposal of Needles, Syringes and Sharps
• Cleanup Procedures for blood and body fluid spills
• Storage, Handling and Disposal of Medical Waste
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the policies and procedures outlined in the Exposure Control Plan.
• Practices safe work techniques and utilize proper engineering controls to minimize the risk of Bloodborne pathogen exposure.
• Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment is utilized when performing a task or responsibility associated with this position, which represents a potential occupational risk of exposure to Bloodborne pathogens. Appropriate PPEs shall include but not be limited to gloves, gown, goggles, laboratory coat, face shields or masks.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the appropriate level of personal protective equipment to be used in relation to the specific tasks and responsibilities.
• Degree of compliance as measured by personal observation of immediate supervisor/manager.
• Degree of compliance as measured by feedback from other supervisors/ managers.
• Adheres to hospital policies and procedures related to:
• Continuing education records will be completed and forwarded to Human Resources annually regarding mandatory educational requirements.
• Complete annual health assessment form as required, maintains current inoculations.
• The current license as required by N.Y. State will be forwarded to Human Resources upon renewal or issuance.

Education and experience requirements include:

• Graduate of accredited RN program.
• Current licensure in NYS or eligibility for limited permit to practice.
• Bachelors' degree preferred.