Registered Nurse Lead - Medical Cardiology

Where You Will Work

Our 30-bed 7Heart unit specializes in patients with acute and chronic disease processes, including, but not limited to, congestive heart failure patients and cardiology patients requiring diagnostic testing and state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical interventions for atrial fibrillation and other dysrhythmias. 7HT also extends care and treatment to patients suffering from other organ system diseases and supports med/surg overflow patients.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership to the health care team with an emphasis on coordination of patient care and throughput of patients.
• Demonstrates technical and clinical competence and serves as clinical resource person and role model for staff.
• Facilitates the development of safe/effective plans through early identification of patient needs and resources.
• Anticipates medical/psychosocial needs in high-risk patients.
• Facilitates appropriate clinical pathways and plans of care.
• Participates in daily rounds on all patients with a focus on discharge planning.
• Serves as charge nurse and operational leader for patient flow when not in administrative role.
• Assures that patient and caregivers are aware of the patient care plan and anticipated day of discharge.
• Responds to customer concerns or complaints timely.
• Alerts physicians of cases needing review and/or discussion.
• Acts as a liaison between patient, family, physician, and interdisciplinary health care team regarding plan of care and progress towards goals.
• Works with Clinical Intake and Navigation Center to effect efficient patient flow.
• Reviews and amends staffing to determine immediate needs and anticipates staffing needs for future shifts.
• Facilitates the accomplishment of a safe discharge plan related to patient needs and payor specifications.
• Engages with patient, family and post-acute care to ensure post discharge planning and follow-up actions are taken by appropriate personnel.
• Participates in the evaluation of staff performance.
• Aligns educational activities with organizational and departmental goals.
• Assures timely, sufficient communication and provision of educational activities.
• Works with unit leadership to facilitate orientation for staff new to the department.
• Assures that orientation, education and competency checklists are completed and stored appropriately.

Requirements

• Current RN license with the Georgia State Board of Nursing.
• Must attend hospital mandatory training annually.
• Must maintain and successfully complete all competencies—including age specific and other department specific training—on an annual basis.
• Training requirements (internally developed and national/professional organization courses) to be completed in unit-specified time period.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. BSN preferred.
• Minimum 6 months experience as a Clinical Nurse.
• Prefer 2 years of experience as a Clinical Nurse and 6 months of experience functioning as a Charge Nurse.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to use visual near and distance acuity.
• Must have verbal ability to communicate in person and over the phone or radio.
• Must be able to assist co-workers in transfers and transport supplies, patients/residents, or equipment using good body mechanics.
• Must have functional range of motion of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines, upper and lower extremities with grip strength of 60-80 pounds, specific to the job class evaluation.
• Must be able to forward reach, overhead reach, bend, squat, kneel and change from one position to the other rapidly.
• Must be able to lift 25-60 lbs. and carry 25-50 pounds specific to job class evaluation.
• Must be able to tolerate high noise, busy atmospheres and noxious odors.
• Must be able to work in noisy environments and be self-directed to complete jobs as ordered.
• Must be able to remain calm under stressful situations.
• Must be able to assess and respond to multiple situations simultaneously.
• Must be able to assist co-workers in multiple overlapping tasks simultaneously.
• Works in hospital and clinical environments. May work in extreme heat with hot materials.
• Must be able to utilize appropriate universal and specific precautions for protection from potential exposure to infectious or communicable diseases.
• Must be able to prioritize job tasks and organize workspace to be efficient and conducive to completing work tasks as assigned in a timely manner.

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.