Registered Nurse, RN - Cath Lab

Coordinates total nursing care specific for patients undergoing invasive and non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac procedures; participates in patient and family teaching and provides leadership by working cooperatively with other team members and disciplines in maintaining standards for professional nursing practice in the clinical setting.

• Provides age-specific nursing care to the adult and geriatric patients to include but not limited to
• assessments of physiologic and psychological changes
• pharmacology management
• identification and management of safety needs
• Assesses condition on each assigned patient pre, intra, and post diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac procedures to include but not limited to the normal systems review, physiological factors, and pain assessment/management.
• Plans, directs, supervises and evaluates nursing care provided to patients according to problems identified.
• Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.
• Assist in charging medical supplies, stocking rooms and completing appropriate paperwork per case.
• Assist in preparation of patients for all procedures including setting up sterile trays; cross trains to scrub position and assist physician, when needed.
• Administers medication, IV therapy, and performs treatments to all assigned patients, according to policy and procedure.
• Plans and provides patient and/or significant other education as related to invasive and non-invasive diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.
• Follows safety practices and ensures safe, clean environment for the patients.
• Is observant of symptoms and reactions of patients and takes appropriate action as changes occur.
• Documents all patient care assessments, evaluations, activities and/or observations according to policies and procedures.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients such as cardiac arrest.
• Attends in-service programs, required training/education and unit/departmental/service meetings.
  
  

DCH Standards

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Registered Nurse with current Alabama Licensure.
• Two (2) years of Critical Care experience preferred.
• Takes 3-11, 11-7, weekend and holiday call.
• Must be able to respond within 20 minutes of a call-out.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
  
  
  

Working Conditions

Work Context

Physical

• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Is able to push stretcher/wheelchair with average adult patient. Is able to do frequent stooping and on occasion crouching, crawling or kneeling.
• Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction.
• Ability to run in emergency situations.
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.
• Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
  
  
  

Environmental

• Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard material.
• Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.
  
  
  

Medium Work Load

• This position requires contact with others including the patients, physicians, coworkers, team members and visitors.
• There may be times when there is interaction with another person that may be angry or aggressive and help to solve the situation may require requesting assistance of a more qualified individual.
• Communication may come in the form of electronic mail, face to face, telephone or letters/memos.
• This individual may be responsible as a team member to answer the department telephone and work in groups or teams.