RN - Cardiac Rehab Exercise Specialist

Jefferson Community Health & Life Rn Opportunity

Jefferson Community Health & Life is looking for an RN to work in Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab part-time.

Hours: 8 hours per week (1 day per week) and PRN as needed to fill in for the FT RN and to meet busy schedule needs.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The RN Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist provides specialized nursing care to patients participating in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and assists the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator with the delivery and operation of the programs.

The RN Specialist provides patient assessment, exercise and cardiac monitoring, individualized education, clinical interventions, and evaluation of patient response and progress in accordance with provider orders, individualized treatment plans, established protocols, and organizational policies and procedures.

The RN Specialist may assist with Cardiac Stress Testing and Nuclear Stress Testing services and supports department activities related to the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) Partners program as assigned.

The RN Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist demonstrates clinical competence, effective communication, teamwork, and behaviors consistent with Jefferson Community Health & Life's mission, vision, core competencies, and strategic goals.

Education and/or Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited registered nursing program.
• Current, Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Nebraska.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required.
• One to two years of nursing experience in cardiac rehabilitation, cardiovascular care, critical care, emergency care, or a related clinical setting preferred.
• Experience with cardiac rhythm interpretation, exercise monitoring, cardiac stress testing, and/or nuclear stress testing preferred.
• Basic computer proficiency and the ability to learn and effectively navigate the Cerner electronic health record (EHR) and Cardiac Rehabilitation software programs utilized by JCH&L.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Patient Care
  • Provides nursing care to patients participating in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation in accordance with provider orders, individualized treatment plans, established protocols, and organizational policies and procedures.
  • Utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized patient care and progress toward established goals.
  • Performs patient assessments and monitors patients before, during, and after exercise, including vital signs, cardiac rhythm as indicated, oxygen saturation as applicable, symptoms, exercise tolerance, and response to treatment.
  • Provides and/or assists with prescribed exercise appropriate to the patient's condition, provider orders, and individualized treatment plan.
  • Recognizes changes in patient condition, abnormal cardiac rhythms, symptoms, or other clinical findings and initiates appropriate nursing and emergency interventions.
  • Provides individualized patient and family education based on assessed needs, including heart-healthy lifestyle practices, risk-factor modification, exercise, medications, disease management, and other applicable topics.
  • Provides education and support to Pulmonary Rehabilitation patients related to respiratory disease management, exercise, breathing techniques, medications, energy conservation, smoking cessation when applicable, activities of daily living, and quality of life.
  • Participates in psychosocial assessment and identification of factors that may affect the patient's participation, progress, and outcomes.
  • Assists with initial, periodic, and program-completion assessments and collection of applicable patient outcome measures.
  • Evaluates and documents patient progress toward individualized goals and communicates findings to the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator, provider, and other members of the healthcare team as appropriate.
  • Administers medications, treatments, and procedures according to provider orders, nursing standards, and organizational policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrates clinical competency and maintains proficiency in equipment utilized in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
• Program Support and Coordination
  • Assists the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator with day-to-day department and program activities.
  • Assists with patient referrals, enrollment, scheduling, and coordination of services as assigned.
  • Assists with obtaining required clinical information, provider orders, and other documentation necessary for patient participation.
  • Assists with new patient pre-authorizations and other payer-related processes as assigned.
  • Assists with development, implementation, and maintenance of individualized treatment plans and obtains required information and documentation as appropriate.
  • Participates in review and development of department policies, procedures, protocols, patient education materials, and other program resources.
  • Communicates program, patient care, equipment, safety, or operational concerns to the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator.
• Cardiac Stress Testing and Nuclear Stress Testing
  • Assists with and provides nursing services for Cardiac Stress Testing and Nuclear Stress Testing in accordance with provider orders, established protocols, scope of practice, and organizational policies and procedures.
  • Assists with patient preparation, scheduling, and coordination of testing as assigned.
  • Reviews applicable patient history, provider orders, medications, and clinical information necessary for safe performance of testing.
  • Performs appropriate nursing assessment and monitoring before, during, and following stress testing.
  • Monitors vital signs, cardiac rhythm, symptoms, and patient response during testing as applicable.
  • Recognizes abnormal findings, symptoms, or changes in patient condition and promptly communicates with the appropriate provider and initiates emergency interventions when indicated.
  • Administers medications associated with testing when ordered and permitted by established protocols and scope of practice.
  • Provides patient education and instructions related to preparation, testing, and post-test care.
  • Completes required nursing and testing documentation accurately and timely.
  • Maintains competency in equipment and emergency procedures associated with cardiac stress testing.
• Care Transition
  • Provides Care Transition services for acute care patients following discharge in accordance with established organizational processes.
  • Reviews applicable discharge information and provides follow-up education and support to promote a safe transition from the hospital to home or the next level of care.
  • Contacts patients following discharge as required and assesses understanding of discharge instructions, medications, follow-up appointments, and recommended care.
  • Reinforces patient and family education related to the discharge plan and identifies questions, concerns, or barriers that may affect the patient's recovery or ability to follow the plan of care.
  • Identifies changes in condition, medication concerns, unmet needs, or other issues requiring additional follow-up and communicates or refers concerns to the appropriate provider or healthcare team member.
  • Reinforces the importance of timely follow-up with the patient's primary care provider, specialist, or other healthcare provider as applicable.
  • Assists patients in identifying appropriate resources or contacts when additional support or services are needed.
  • Documents Care Transition contacts, patient education, identified concerns, interventions, referrals, and follow-up in accordance with organizational requirements.
  • Communicates significant concerns identified during Care Transition follow-up to the appropriate provider or department in a timely manner.
• RQI and Resuscitation Education Support
  • Assists with and supports activities associated with the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) Partners program as assigned.
  • Assists employees with RQI training and skills activities.
  • Supports processes related to employee completion and maintenance of required CPR, BLS, ACLS, and PALS education and certification.
  • Serves as a resource to employees regarding RQI activities within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
  • Communicates identified RQI participation, equipment, or operational concerns to the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator
• Documentation and Communication
  • Maintains complete, accurate, and timely documentation of patient assessments, interventions, education, response to treatment, progress, outcomes, and follow-up.
  • Communicates significant changes in patient condition promptly to the appropriate provider and other members of the healthcare team.
  • Serves as an effective liaison among patients, families, physicians and other providers, referral sources, and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare