Cardiology Device Registered Nurse (RN) – Cardiology Clinic

Major Responsibilities:

Direct Nursing Care

• Consistently encourages questions from patients and their families and offers guidance that fosters compliance. Provides patient education on all aspects of heart pacing.
• Administers medications according to approved policy/procedure following protocol or physician order and monitors response.
•  Evaluates and manages the care of patients with cardiac pacemakers and automatic internal cardiac defibrillator systems.
•  Responsible for contacting patients in regards to any company recalls thus requiring closer and more frequent monitoring and taking appropriate measures for any further changes in the device that may be required.
• Demonstrates knowledge of devices, the effects of devices and utilizes critical thinking skills. Highly specialized in health care procedures and how electrical medical devices function.
• Performs an independent daily review of remote transmission of the devices implanted within patients. Correlates information with the clinical condition of patients to assist in the management of arrhythmias.
• Responsible for performing all interrogations and necessary reprogramming of devices in patients who are scheduled in the office setting, according to type of device, insurance restrictions and patient needs.
• Prepares patients for exams and treatments physically and mentally and monitors their response.
• Capable of assisting physician with all procedures and treatments for the unit he/she works in.
•  Is knowledgeable of assisting with job duties of all personnel in the department.

Indirect Nursing Care:

•     Consistently orders tests and reviews results according to department protocol or as ordered by physician.
•     Performs transtelephonic checks on pacemaker patients requiring this mode of follow up due to age / type of pacemaker in between office follow up visits to check basic function and generator battery life status. Provides these reports to physicians.
•     Schedules all transtelephonic checks via EMR system and notifies patients.
•     Reports abnormal findings, patient complaints, or concerns, to physician or supervisor.
•     Assures the accuracy and completeness of messages. Triages and prioritizes messages, communicating information to providers/patients in a timely manner. Demonstrates triage skills pertinent to determining normal and abnormal conditions. Reviews information regarding the patient’s device, health history, medications and all information pertaining to the patient’s heart failure status.
•     Displays a courteous, alert and pleasant tone of voice, speaking clearly and in a relaxed manner.
•     Restates information to ensure clarity and accuracy.
•     Communicates effectively with internal and external customers, transfers calls when appropriate, staying on the line and announcing where and why call was transferred.
•     Explains procedures and test results using language appropriate to patient's level of understanding.
•     Serves as an advocate and liaison between patients, staff, physicians and external customers by sharing necessary information to ensure continuity of care. Collaborates with other professional disciplines to ensure effective, efficient and safe patient care: Electrophysiologists, Cardiologists, Surgeons, Cardiac Nurses and Device Nurses in other clinics.

Documentation:

•     Provides consistent and accurate documentation of patient information, care and concerns in the EMR according to the guidelines provided in the Documentation Policy and as otherwise instructed.
•     Completes billing of all services provided in the device clinic.
•     Consistently completes vouchers, referrals and requisitions with all appropriate information including medical record number and services codes or using EMR.
•     Completes all patient documentation within two full clinic business days after care and/or services have been provided according to the Missing Documentation policy guidelines.

Time Management:

•     Consistently manages time and demonstrates resource management skills effectively to complete daily activities.
•     Consistently knows how and when to delegate tasks to others.
•     Consistently watchful of patient flow by keeping rooms clean, stocked and available and maintains adequate inventory.
•    )Consistently checks equipment and trays for proper functioning and availability in busy times.
•     Provides direction and supervision to other licensed and unlicensed personnel.
•     Demonstrates flexibility by performing additional duties when and where indicated.

Licensure:

• Nurse, Registered (RN)

Education/Experience Required:

• BSN or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years clinical experience, with at least one-year current experience in EP/Device clinic or 5+ years of cardiovascular experience.
• Proficient in interpretation of EKG/cardiac rhythms/ arrhythmias
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Good computer and organizational skills.
• Good communication skills
• Ability to assess, plan and intervene and evaluate the physical, emotional and education needs of patients.
• Basic keyboarding and typing skills.
• Current RN license in the State of Illinois
• CPR certification required upon hire or within 60 days of hire.
• Current ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support ) certification

Physicial Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to successfully complete clinic-based training for all associates. Ability to work with all levels of personnel. Ability to work under stressful situations. Frequent periods of extended standing and sitting. Possible lifting and assisting of patients,
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.