Registered Nurse - Ambulatory (Cardiology)

Job Description

Performs an age‑specific plan of care for a designated group of patients using the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care. Collaborates with physicians and other health‑team members in coordinating and implementing procedures and treatments. Uses leadership skills and clinical judgment in coordinating patient care and directing/delegating activities of the patient‑care unit team.

Responsibilities

• Assesses the patient’s physiologic health status: conducts patient interview, explains policies and procedures, reviews the chart, performs a comprehensive health assessment across all body systems, determines mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, skin condition, assesses pain level and pain management, and documents the status and plan of care.
• Assesses the patient’s psychosocial health status: elicits perception of medical/nursing care, determines coping mechanisms, knowledge level, and cultural/ethnic requirements; documents psychological status and care plan; coordinates support groups, counseling, and social services.
• Identifies patient outcomes: develops criteria for measuring outcomes, identifies actual or potential problems, determines teaching needs based on psychosocial and developmental assessment, and establishes individualized patient goals.
• Formulates the plan of care and establishes priorities: coordinates cost‑effective use of supplies, equipment, and medication; documents the plan of care; collaborates with physicians and other health‑team members.
• Implements the plan of care: maintains constant vigilance for safety precautions, exercises professional skills, reassesses and revises the plan as needed, administers prescribed treatments and equipment, provides emotional support, applies scientific principles safely and efficiently, records observations, documents treatment, activity, and condition, acts rapidly in emergencies, provides a calm environment, communicates with family or caretakers, participates in discharge planning and education, ensures understanding through teach‑back, and evaluates the effectiveness of education.
• Evaluates care provided for patient outcome: measures effectiveness of care, performs variance analysis for performance improvement, designs, implements, and evaluates systems to improve unit care, and maintains accurate documentation.
• Collaborates with other care‑team members and provides direction: works with the appropriate physician or provider on the patient’s plan of care, accurately interprets and implements prescribed treatment regimens, assists during treatments and diagnostic procedures, keeps the Patient Care Manager or provider abreast of changes, and uses clinical judgment in delegating assignments.
• Provides wound care and care for pressure ulcers (Stages I–IV): performs preventive skin‑care measures, applies simple dressings using aseptic technique, applies warm and cold compresses per facility procedure, performs irrigations, and carries out other skin‑care procedures as necessary.
• Administers medications correctly and safely: correctly identifies medication (action, dosage, side effects, implications), meets standard medication‑administration examination, prepares local solutions and IV drips, administers and documents medication, follows IVP policy, and educates patients and significant others about drug and food interactions.
• Participates in patient and family education: explains the patient’s condition, records and communicates assessment data, utilizes health‑teaching opportunities and resources, coordinates early discharge planning and appropriate referrals, evaluates teaching effectiveness through patient/family feedback, and documents outcomes.
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing; Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two (2) years and obtain a BSN degree within five (5) years of job entry date.
• Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State; specialized certifications as needed.
• Previous experience in telemetry, cardiology, or med‑surg preferred.