Location: Falls Church, VA Status: Full-Time / Non-Exempt Salary Range: $36.00 - $50.00 $10,000 Sign-On Bonus At Virginia Heart, we are looking for an experienced professional
Cardiac PET/CT Registered Nurse that will be responsible for providing competent, compassionate, and patient-centered nursing care to individuals undergoing Cardiac PET/CT imaging and associated diagnostic stress testing. The nurse collaborates closely with nuclear medicine technologists, supervising cardiologists, advanced practice providers (APPs), ancillary and authorization staff, and department leadership to enhance the patient experience, support efficient clinical operations, and promote optimal clinical outcomes. Following successful completion of the required stress testing training program and final competency assessment, the nurse performs assigned clinical responsibilities in accordance with physician and/or APP orders, approved departmental protocols, organizational policies, and applicable supervision requirements. Responsibilities include performing pharmacologic nuclear stress testing, providing specialized preparation and monitoring for FDG cardiac PET studies, conducting comprehensive clinical chart reviews, and supporting other clinical and operational activities within the Cardiac PET program.
The position is primarily assigned to a designated Cardiac PET/CT location but may rotate among Virginia Heart PET locations to maintain clinical competencies, support specialty PET/CT procedures, provide staffing coverage, and assist with specialized patient preparation. All duties are carried out in alignment with Virginia Heart's mission of excellence in cardiovascular care
RESPONSIBILITIES: - Demonstrates general knowledge of cardiac stress testing, including treadmill exercise, pharmacologic stress testing, nuclear stress testing, and related cardiac diagnostic procedures.
- Applies knowledge of cardiovascular physiology, pathophysiology, indications and contraindications, hemodynamic responses, ECG interpretation, departmental protocols, and emergency interventions when performing stress testing.
- Escorts patients to and from diagnostic testing areas and promotes a safe, efficient, and patient-centered experience.
- Maintains awareness of the daily schedule and assists with coordinating patient flow and overall department operations.
- Performs focused chart review and patient interviews to assess readiness and appropriateness for stress testing; communicates clinical concerns to the supervising physician, medical director, and/or technical director as appropriate.
- Completes required documentation, consents, and clinical records in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Prepares patients and the monitoring area for pharmacologic stress testing, including assessment of baseline ECG, blood pressure, lung sounds, oxygen saturation, medication history, and patient understanding of the procedure.
- Assists Nuclear Medicine Technologists with patient preparation and imaging procedures as needed and within established protocols and scope of practice.
- Initiates peripheral IVs and administers medications in accordance with supervising physician orders, approved protocols, and organizational policy.
- Recognizes and responds to arrhythmias, abnormal blood pressure responses, patient symptoms, and other signs of clinical deterioration before, during, and after stress testing.
- Accurately interprets 12-lead ECGs, recognizes established test endpoints, and follows approved criteria for test termination, escalation, and emergency intervention.
- Exercises sound clinical judgment when managing unexpected clinical situations and appropriately delegates responsibilities within established scope and protocols.
- Documents relevant clinical information in the PET/CT reporting system, stress testing software, and electronic health record.
- Serves as a clinical liaison between patients and supervising physicians by answering questions, communicating concerns, and facilitating appropriate follow-up.
- Coordinates with Virginia Heart colleagues at other offices when additional cardiac procedures, follow-up visits, or clinical services are indicated.
- Travels to other PET locations as needed to provide clinical coverage, maintain competencies, support specialty PET/CT procedures, and assist with patient preparation.
- Prepares patients for FDG Cardiac PET/CT studies in accordance with established protocols, including:
- Checking and documenting fasting blood glucose levels.
- Administering oral or IV glucose and/or insulin as ordered and clinically indicated to support appropriate myocardial suppression.
- Educating patients regarding required dietary and fasting preparation, including high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets when applicable.
- Monitoring and documenting metabolic response and communicating abnormal findings to the supervising provider.
- Collaborating with Nuclear Medicine Technologists to ensure patient readiness and adherence to imaging protocols.
- Routinely checks crash cart inventory and ensures emergency medications and supplies are available, appropriately stocked, and within expiration dates.
- Responds to emergent clinical situations, including chest pain, arrhythmias, syncope, abnormal blood pressure responses, allergic reactions, and other signs of clinical deterioration; initiates appropriate interventions within scope of practice until additional medical support assumes care.
- Follows radiation safety, infection prevention, and other applicable clinical and workplace safety standards.
- Operates medical equipment safely and wears the appropriate radiation dosimeter when required.
- Maintains and cleans clinical equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and organizational policy.
- Promptly reports equipment, medication, supply, or safety related concerns and incidents through appropriate channels.
- Educates patients and families regarding cardiac risk factors, medications, testing preparation, and heart health as appropriate.
- May assist with standard office RN responsibilities, including INR management, prescription refills, and In Basket management, based on operational needs.
- Performs clerical and administrative duties necessary to support Cardiac PET/CT operations.
- Stocks diagnostic testing areas and communicates supply needs to the department lead and/or program manager.
- Completes required Virginia Heart and departmental orientation and training, including Cardiac PET/CT workflows, stress testing, emergency response, and applicable clinical procedures.
- Completes required stress testing training and competency assessments before independently performing assigned stress-testing responsibilities.
- Maintains clinical competency through required rotations, training, specialty studies, and participation in applicable Cardiac PET/CT workflows.
- Completes annual Radiation Safety and OSHA training and participates in required education related to new equipment, processes, workflows, protocols, and procedures.
- Participates in continuing education and professional development opportunities relevant to the role.
- Reads, understands, and follows the Virginia Heart Employee Handbook, Clinical Policy and Procedure Manual, and applicable updates.
- Demonstrates professionalism, courtesy, and respect when interacting with patients, families, providers, and team members.
- Provides exceptional patient and customer service in accordance with Virginia Heart standards.
- Maintains a clean, organized, and safe clinical environment.
- Adheres to the Virginia Heart dress code and embodies "The Virginia Heart Way" in daily interactions and responsibilities.
- Performs other duties as assigned to support Cardiac PET/CT operations and Virginia Heart clinical service.
REQUIREMENTS: - Current Virginia Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required and must be obtained prior to independently performing assigned stress-testing responsibilities.
- Minimum of one year of nursing experience required; cardiology experience preferred, with critical care experience highly preferred.
- Prior cardiac stress testing experience preferred. Candidates without prior stress testing experience must successfully complete all required departmental training and competency assessments within 60 days of hire.
- Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems required; Epic experience preferred.
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated sound clinical judgment and the ability to assess and manage changing patient conditions in an outpatient diagnostic environment.
- Experience with, or willingness to learn, specialized FDG Cardiac PET/CT patient preparation, including dietary preparation and glucose/insulin management.
- Ability and willingness to travel among Virginia Heart PET locations as operationally needed.
Click link to view other available RN openings and locations for our company: https://virginiaheart.hiringplatform.com/list/careers) 
