Performs diagnostic testing and delivers nursing care to cardiac patients throughout the nursing process. Assists cardiologists during procedures and manages cardiac services equipment while maintaining sterile technique.
Requirements summary
Must be a graduate of an accredited RN program with current Ohio licensure, CPR, and ACLS certification. Requires hospital experience or completion of a refresher course, with preference for Cath Lab experience.
Under the direction of the Director of Cardiac & Pulmonary Services and the Cath Lab Coordinator, performs various diagnostic testing, delivers care to patients through the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation. Effectively interacts with patients, significant others, and health team members while maintaining standards of professional nursing.
What You Will Do
Utilizes nursing practice standards and evidence-based practices, obtains patient information/data, assists in planning, implementation, and evaluation of the patient’s care.
Demonstrates knowledge and skill in caring for the cardiac patient with the understanding of their needs for self-respect and dignity.
Performs Cardiac Stress Testing, TEE & Cardioversion and cardiac cath procedures.
Provides nursing care, utilizing the nursing process, for pre/post cardiac procedure patients.
Demonstrates knowledge of coronary anatomy and physiology of the heart.
Acts as a skilled assistant to the cardiologist when assisting procedures.
Demonstrates ability to anticipate events and take appropriate action.
Meets needs of the cardiologists by knowing their special individual requests for supplies and procedural and patient flow.
Keeps informed of new technologies and procedural techniques. Understands principals of sterile technique.
Actively participates in general departmental duties, i.e. stocking, cleaning, arranging or providing transport of patients and supplies.
Prepares patient for procedures, providing instructions to obtain desired results, gains cooperation, and minimize anxiety.
Performs all job duties in accordance with hospital and department policy/procedure.
Demonstrates skill in the control nurse role by providing precise nursing documentation, identifying and communicating cardiac arrhythmias, and skill and knowledge of hemodynamic monitoring.
Demonstrates skill in performing the cardiac procedures by providing frequent patient assessment to procedure team as needed, initiating IVs and medications as needed, and the ability to access and expedite case turnaround. Assesses patient's medical condition and history related to the procedure. (Angina, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, status post CABG, EKG assessment, etc.)
Demonstrates knowledge and skill in recognizing physiologic changes and possible complications in the cardiac patient. (Cardiac arrhythmia, bleeding, hypotension, myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.)
Demonstrates knowledge and skill in providing patients/significant others in pre/post cardiac procedure teaching. (Stress tests, Cardiac cath, angioplasty, stent, TEE, cardioversion.)
Demonstrates knowledge of specific pre-cardiac procedure preparations. (Consents, lab values, tray set-up, site prep, equipment needs, turnaround time, etc.)
Demonstrates knowledge of medications and their interactions/side effects as related to the cardiac patient.
Perform/assist with various tests and procedures related to the cardiac patient and provides teaching to the patient/significant other as indicated.
Perform post-procedure care of the patient including recovery, removal of sheaths, returning patient to room and post-procedure teaching. Apply pressure dressing or a holding device when necessary.
Manages cardiac services equipment.
Participates in the interdisciplinary team approach with other patient care services.
Works approved overtime as required. Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings as needed. Ability to be on call for after hour and weekend procedures and to be able to respond to Firelands within 30 minutes.
Proficient with age-specific nursing care.
Able to transport patients to and from the cath lab via wheelchair, stretcher or bed. Able to help transfer patients from wheelchair or bed to the x-ray table and back.
What You Will Need
Must be a graduate of an accredited RN program and have current licensure in the State of Ohio.
Must be CPR and ACLS certified.
Must possess current hospital experience (within past five years) or be a new nursing graduate (within the past two years). Nurses who do not meet this requirement must show proof of successful graduation from an approved refresher course.
Must be knowledgeable regarding the nursing process and its application, including the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care.
Prefer minimum of one year’s experience in the Cath Lab. Nurses who do not meet this requirement must obtain experience through competency based orientation (CBO).
Critical thinking skills with the ability to respond appropriately to emergent situations.
