Job Description: Summary
The Cath lab RN will assist the physician perform cardiac catheterizations (medical procedures used to diagnose and treat heart conditions).
During cardiac catheterization procedures, the Cath lab RN will monitor and record patients' vital signs, and they must be ready to intervene if an emergency arises.
Post-procedure, they administer any necessary medications and watch for any side effects or signs of infection in patients.
Between patients, the Cath lab nurse will ensure that supplies, including medications and emergency and IV supplies, are stocked and organized.
The Cath lab RN will also play an important role in communication and patient education.
They are expected to explain to patients how to prepare for procedures and what to expect afterward, and they give patients' families post-surgery instructions, such as how to care for surgical sites and what activities to allow the patient to engage in.
How will you make an impact & Requirements
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (and other responsibilities as applicable)
- Assists Physicians in performing physical tests and prescribed tests so as to diagnose cardiac diseases
- Administers moderate sedation per Physician’s orders
- Monitors the patient and their vitals, especially cardiovascular readings
- Monitors heart devices like defibrillators and pacemakers
- Assists in performing diagnostic tests such as ECGs
- Helps to interpret results of cardiac tests like exercise stress tests, stress echocardiograms, and CT Coronary cardiograms, amongst others
- Reviews all pre-procedural tests to assure patient safety. Incomplete or unusual findings are reported to cardiologist and documented prior to procedure.
- Maintains safe work environment and adheres to policies regarding handling and removal of biohazardous waste and radiation safety.
- Ensures excellent sterile/aseptic technique in CCL environment
- Educates and informs patients of the best disease prevention and control methods
- Provides professional and moral support to patients suffering from heart conditions, who may not understand the steps to take to manage their conditions
- Preps patient rooms ensuring all necessary linens, IV supplies and medications are readily available
- Preps patient for procedure ensuring groins shaved, establish IV, pulses marked, baseline VS obtained and charted, EKG strip printed and charting compete
- Conducts initial and ongoing physical and pain assessment
- Anticipates patient reaction to medications, procedure and interventions and allergies and responds appropriately
- Makes accurate and timely entries into the patient medical record (Athena) addressing all steps of the nursing process. Actively communicates with members of the team, patient and patient family.
- Prioritizes tasks and adjusts priorities as necessary. Maintains orderly, efficient and timely flow of patients
- Cleans beds and bedside tables after assigned patients are discharged
- Provides discharge instruction and ensures follow-up is reviewed with patient and family
- Recognizes lethal and non-lethal arrythmia and comprehension of appropriate care
Required Knowledge and Experience
- Well-developed evaluation skills to evaluate patients' conditions before, during and after cardiac catheterizations.
- Must have excellent clinical reasoning skills and good judgement
- Exhibits excellent time management according to assigned caseload
- Must be able to cope with stressful situations
- Strong oral and written communication skills for interacting with other medical personnel as well as patients and their families.
- Be able to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and their families to facilitate lifestyle modifications; able to provide postoperative care to cardiac patients
- Have adequate background knowledge and experience
- Have the ability to perform and interpret various cardiac and vascular lab tests
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Associate Degree in Nursing [https://www.incrediblehealth.com/blog/adn-degree/] (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing [https://www.incrediblehealth.com/blog/why-earn-a-bsn-degree/] (BSN) from an accredited nursing program
- Candidates also must pass the NCLEX-RN [https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm]
- Must gain experience in either a trauma hospital or cardiac care center
- Completion of continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their licensure. For Florida Cath Lab nurses need to earn 24 continuing education credits or contact hours every two years. Contact hours and CEUs that focus on cardiac care are essential for renewing licensure.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required
