RN Cath Lab

Job Summary

To provide quality nursing care through application of the nursing process and established guidelines for nursing practices. Provides specialized support and assistance in the care of patient undergoing diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular and electrophysiologic procedures, including cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, the insertion of pacemakers, and other cardiac rhythm management procedures.

Education & Experience

• Must be licensed as RN for one (1) year.
• Two (2) years of RN experience in specified area preferred.
• BSN preferred.

Certifications, Licenses or Registration Required

• Valid RN license,
• ACLs, can be obtained within the first ninety (90) days in the position.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care for young adult through geriatric patients undergoing invasive cardiac/vascular/electrophysiology procedures.
• Aids in the efficient operations of the pre-, intra-procedural and post-procedural areas optimizing the use of resources to maximize productivity and minimize costs.
• Maintains an understanding of the features of various catheters and other supplies specific to the cath and EP labs.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to interpret and not changed in complex intra-cardiac electrocardiograms during cath and EP Procedures.
• Participates in programming and interrogation of Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices- Pacemakers, Defibrillators, BiV ICD’s and BiV Pacemakers for all vendors currently utilized (for staff hired for EP lab only).
• Documents, observes and, communicates patient's social, clinical, demographic, and hemodynamic information in the pre, intra, and post procedure areas for diagnostic and interventional cases.
• Compiles and disseminates appropriate patient medical information.
• Maintains sterile field and aseptic technique during intra-procedure diagnostic and interventional cases.
• Assists the physician with the use of instruments, supplies, and equipment.
• Demonstrates the ability to safely scrub and assist the physician during complex cath and EP procedures including implantation / extraction of cardiac rhythm management devices, and complex structural heart procedures.
• Documents the administration of procedural sedation.
• Serves as a preceptor for procedural sedation for other registered nurses throughout the adult and pediatric services.
• Participates in procedural sedation committee meetings.
• Verifies the accuracy of "point of care" lab equipment through the utilization of pre-established quality controls.
• Checks all emergency equipment, including biphasic defibrillator, crash cart, and temporary pacemaker generator.
• Maintains knowledge of supply location, care, and use for the cardiac/vascular area.
• Manages supply inventory levels and communicates supply usage and needs to the heart station buyer.
• Reports appropriate patient information according to the hospital policy and procedure upon patient transfer to the next level of care.
• Participates in annual radiation safety competency evaluation and annual inspections, complies with hospital radiation safety practices.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Requires constant handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment,
• Constant exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations,
• Constant working hours significantly beyond regularly scheduled hours,
• Constant activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature,
• Constant work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality,
• Constant bending,
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 75 pounds,
• Constant crouching/stooping,
• Occasional kneeling,
• Constant pushing/pulling,
• Constant reaching,
• Occasional sitting,
• Constant standing,
• Occasional twisting,
• Constant walking.