Registered Nurse (RN) – Cardiac Device Nurse

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates autonomous direct cardiac rhythm management care for patients with CIEDs by integrating knowledge from physiology, pathophysiology, and the basics of electronics to perform competent device interrogations, diagnostic reviews, and overall analysis of device function for in-person evaluations and remote monitoring.
• Performs post-operative CIED patient assessment and teaching regarding incision care, cardiac device function, Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) shock plans, and remote CIED monitoring.
• Utilizes critical thinking skills and knowledge of electrophysiology concepts to safely and autonomously program device parameters to optimize system function, ensure patient safety, promote appropriate pacing, optimize rate modulation, battery longevity, and device timing cycles, and support the electrophysiological needs of the patient.
• Recognizes abnormal functions of pacemakers, ICDs, Implantable Loop Recorders (ILRs), and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) devices through in-person evaluation and remote monitoring. Employs strategies to address and correct issues.
• Accurately identifies heart rhythms including cardiac arrhythmias. Provides appropriate triage and immediate communication of life-threatening and other critical arrhythmias to provider. Provides guidance and support to the patient and family in critical instances.
• Professionally communicates with cardiac electrophysiologists and other providers about CIED function, diagnostic data, and overall patient status through accurate and professional standardized documentation.
• Completes scheduling protocols for in-person and remote monitoring CIED evaluations utilizing best practice and departmental guidelines.
• Attends and participates in educational meetings and seminars related to device management, electrophysiology, general cardiology, and nursing. Must complete fifteen nursing and device related education hours per year.
• Promotes excellence in the care of patients with CIEDs and cardiac rhythm or heart failure disorders.
• Supports regulatory processes related to CIED billing, compliance, CIED tracking, and advisory/recall management.
• Submits accurate billing codes and procedural information for all patient encounters.
• Supports and contributes to the Patient Centered Care Philosophy by understanding that every teammate is a caregiver whose role is to meet the needs of the patient.

Physical Requirements

Work requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, stooping, bending, pushing, and pulling. Must be able to lift and support the weight of 35 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies. Keyboarding/typing skills required. Must speak English in good, understandable terms. Intact sense of sight, hearing, smell, and touch. Finger dexterity. Critical thinking and ability to concentrate. Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patient and/or unit conditions. Physical Abilities Testing required.

Additional departmental specific physical requirements may be identified for unique responsibilities within the department by the department manager.

Education, Experience, and Certifications

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing. BSN required.

• Minimum of four years of cardiovascular nursing, electrophysiology nursing, critical care nursing, or cardiac device nursing experience required.
• American Heart Association (AHA) BLS and ACLS certification required per policy guidelines.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license or temporary license as an RN Petitioner in the state in which you work and reside; or if declaring a National License Compact (NLC) state as your primary state of residency, meet the licensure requirements in your home state; or for Non-National License Compact states, current RN license or temporary license as an RN Petitioner required in the state where the RN works.

Additional education, training, certifications, or experience may be required within the department by the department manager.

Patient Population Served

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development and demonstrates the skills and competency appropriate to the ages, culture, developmental stages, and special needs of the patient population served.

Protected Health Information

• Will limit access to Protected Health Information (PHI) to include only information necessary to perform job responsibilities.
• Will share information only on a need-to-know basis for work purposes.
• Access to verbal, written, and electronic PHI for this job has been determined based on job level and job responsibility within the organization. Computerized access to PHI for this job has been determined as described above and is controlled via user identification (ID) and password.

Machines, Tools, and Equipment

Complex medical equipment and supplies. Various internet based and network computer applications including but not limited to Electronic Medical Record (EMR), cloud-based device documentation system, Medtronic CareLink, Boston Scientific Latitude, Biotronik Home Monitoring, Abbott Merlin.net, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Standard office equipment including but not limited to desk or laptop computer, telephone, copier, fax machine, and device programmers.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.