JOB SUMMARY:  The Nurse is responsible and accountable for the quality of staff and functions during their shift. Directly supervises and communications with all staff along with the Director of Medical/Surgical.  Assists the Department.  Director in the daily operation of the unit, directing, supervising and evaluating personnel, ensuring the proper use of time, equipment and staff.  Ensure the efficient functions of the department.  Performs direct patient care, only as needed, within the scope of practice.  Continually assess care and direct staff to make immediate changes in the plan of care.

Job Responsibilities: C.S.U. Open Heart Nurse

Clinical Care & Patient Management

• Delivers comprehensive nursing care to acute psychiatric and cardiovascular recovery patients in accordance with clinical needs, physician orders, and regulatory standards.
• Monitors hemodynamic status, interprets diagnostic results (e.g., EKGs, POC Troponin), and promptly communicates critical or abnormal findings to attending physicians.
• Conducts thorough initial and ongoing assessments—including psychosocial, emotional, and pain evaluations—to formulate, maintain, and prioritize goal-directed care plans.
• Assists physicians with bedside procedures, enforces time-out protocols, and conducts pain reassessments post-medication administration and prior to transfer or discharge.
• Initiates patient and family education and plans discharge transitions tailored to age-specific requirements.

Leadership & Team Coordination

• Serves in charge nurse and supervisory capacities as required, directing patient care team activities across unit operations and Surgical Services.
• Exercises independent judgment to assign, delegate, and adjust staffing coverage based on employee competencies, patient acuity, and unit demand.
• Fosters positive interdisciplinary relationships, mentors staff, assists with orientation, and resolves interpersonal and operational conflicts professionally through the chain of command.
• Collaborates with department directors on scheduling, interviewing candidates, and conducting performance evaluations and counseling.

Patient Safety & Documentation

• Consistently verifies patient identity using two identifiers and maintains complete, accurate, and timely nursing documentation in electronic health record systems (Medi-Tech).
• Adheres strictly to medication administration, reconciliation, Pyxis/narcotic accounting, and approved abbreviation standards, ensuring telephone read-back validation within required timeframes.
• Maintains emergency equipment readiness (e.g., crash cart and defibrillator checks) and adheres to safe patient handling techniques and equipment protocols.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Upholds infection control protocols (OSHA bloodborne pathogens, CDC guidelines) and National Patient Safety Goals across all clinical tasks.
• Participates in data collection and continuous quality improvement initiatives, including departmental Core Measures implementation.
• Recognizes and reports mandatory indicators (e.g., signs of abuse) to appropriate regulatory bodies (Adult Protective Services) and adheres to hospital policies and labor standards.

QUALIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS

• Education & Experience: Graduate of an accredited professional nursing program with a certificate. Demonstrates strong leadership, interpersonal communication, collaborative teamwork, quality enhancement, and professional practice abilities.
• Licensure: Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Certifications: Must possess and maintain BCLS, ACLS (required AHA), Basic Dysrhythmia, and NIHS Stroke certifications upon employment.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrates exceptional verbal and written communication capabilities.