Summary:

The Registered Nurse (Cardiovascular Services) provides professional nursing care in Cardiac Suite, Cath Lab and EP. They provide direct nursing care by assessing patients' needs, performing physical examinations, and taking health history and demographic information. In addition, the Registered Nurse plans, develops, implements, administers, evaluates and updates specialized plans of treatment and preventive care regimens in accordance with medical orders and nursing standards, and annotates medical records in accordance with established procedures, implements infection control protocols, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Provides direct nursing care to patients by assessing their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual status.
• Develops a plan of care consistent with the patient's condition and annotates medical records in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements and provides information to clinical and support staff to facilitate continued proper nursing care. Includes the patients and family in the process of care planning.
• Performs comprehensive patient assessments, noting any improvement or deterioration in the patient's condition and implements and evaluates nursing care accordingly.
• Assesses patients and administers treatments, medications, and general care according to nursing plan of care, best practices, established protocols and medical orders to treat actual or potential disorders and to optimize the physical and mental well-being of the patients.
• Operates specialized medical equipment
• Evaluates and documents patients' responses to care regimen and adds to; changes or resolves interventions on the nursing plan of care and/ or collaborates with physician regarding the need to revise the treatment plan.
• Coordinates care with other departments (i.e.: dietary, social services, rehab services, etc.), serving as a liaison to ensure services are provided in a timely manner.
• Provides education to the patient and family about medication, medical treatments; disease specific information, follow up care.
• Participates in discharge planning in collaboration with other health care providers and community resources to ensure full utilization of support services which address patient needs.
• Participates in Quality Assurance activities to ensure provision of optimum care and follow-up for patients.
• Ensures continuity of nursing care by communicating a comprehensive handoff during transition to another nurse (at change of shift, change in assignment, transfer of patient, etc.) Participates with other professional team members in a multi-disciplinary approach to nursing care.
• Advocates the patient bill of rights and advocates on behalf of patients and families to ensure continuity and understanding of care given.
• Accept accountability for education requirements pertaining to policies, procedures, and general patient care information, etc.
• Participates in continuing education programs and in-service education to provide the most appropriate nursing care. Completes continuing education programs on time.
• Complies with hospital policies and procedures.
• Actively participates in the performance improvement process including data collection, analysis, plan for change and implementation of changes.
• Precepts and mentor newer staff to assure appropriate orientation to assigned units.
• Attend all mandatory in-services and required staff meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Experience: Minimum 2 years' experience required in a Cardiac Cath Lab preferred, a minimum of 2 years of Critical Care experience required.

Education: Graduation from an accredited school of Nursing required; a bachelor's degree or master's degree in nursing preferred.

Licenses / Certifications: Current New York State RN licensure required. BLS and ACLS certifications, Basic Arrhythmia Course, Critical Care Course, Hemodynamic Monitoring Course, and Certification as Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) or CCRN is preferred.

Other: N/A

Special Requirements: This position requires the individual to work in areas where there is potential radiation exposure monitored by radiation badges. This position requires arriving at work within 30 minutes in all weather conditions for heart stats when on call including weeknights, weekends and holidays.