Cardiac Registered Nurse

Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Clinical Manager and in collaboration with the Nuclear Medicine and Cardiac Non-Invasive Cardiology Fellows Attending Cardiologists and according to established guidelines evaluates patients referred for cardiac stress testing. Reviews patient*s medical history and performs focused cardiovascular assessment prior to testing. Administers exercise and pharmacologic stress tests in Nuclear Medicine and Cardiac Non-Invasive. Provides initial patient management of arrhythmias or adverse events that may occur during stress testing. Under the supervision of the Cardiology Fellow and Non-Invasive Cardiology Attending administers moderate sedation and monitors patients undergoing Transesophageal Echocardiograms and Transesophageal Echocardiograms with Cardioversion.

Responsibilities:

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Evaluates patients referred for stress testing according to standard criteria and guidelines. Identifies indications and contraindications for stress testing. Safety concerns are communicated to the Cardiology Fellow prior to proceeding

Performs focused cardiovascular assessment on patients referred for stress testing to detect evidence of any of the following conditions: Heart Murmurs Congestive Heart Failure Cervical Bruit Arrhythmias Edema Vascular Insufficiency.

Interviews patients referred for cardiac stress testing detailing previous and present cardiovascular problems risk factors and other pertinent medical history.

Suggests appropriate stress testing protocol based on patient assessment.

Explains stress testing protocol and acknowledges patient consent.

Performs proper 12 lead EKG placement and skin prep.

Performs 12 lead EKG interpretation and compares resting EKG to stress EKG tracings. Identifies patterns of ischemia and infarction and other common EKG abnormalities.

Understands the effects of age disease physical condition and medications on hemodynamic and EKG response to stress testing.

Understands conditions and circumstances that can cause false positive indeterminate and false negative stress testing results.

Recognizes life threatening arrhythmias and initiates therapy according to ACLS guidelines. Demonstrates effective intervention of complications when they occur.

Terminates stress test at appropriate endpoint and monitors patient to ensure safety.

Documents nursing assessment and stress testing procedure information in patient*s medical record.

Understands and practices ALARA principles of Radiation Protection including the use and exchange of personal dosimeters.

Administers moderate sedation to patients undergoing Transesophageal Echocardiograms and Cardioversion procedures.

Monitors patients receiving sedation and anesthesia for Transesophageal Echocardiograms and Cardioversion procedures.

Administers Definity/ Contrast Agents and Agitated Saline/Bubble studies when indicated per protocol to patients having echocardiograms.

Other information:

Licensure as Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing or licensure as a Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

Bachelor*s Degree preferred.

Must have current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island

Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification.

Professional and analytical skills to evaluate patients to determine safety of administering cardiac stress tests.

Ability to recognize arrhythmias and intervene appropriately.

Analytical ability to interpret 12 lead EKGs.

Interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with patients allay patient anxiety and elicit patient cooperation during administration of stress test. Ability to communicate and exchange information with physicians.

Advanced physical assessment skills to provide comprehensive patient history and focused physical assessment on patients referred for stress testing.

Ability to administer sedation and monitor patients receiving moderate sedation and anesthesia for Transesophageal Echocardiograms and Cardioversion procedures.

Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care patients with consideration of aging processes human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum three years related experience plus additional on the job training.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Frequent walking and standing.

Exposure to low level radiation but little chance of injury when established safety procedures are followed.

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

Performs independently within department policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to supervisor where clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None

Lifespan is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status. Lifespan is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Location: Rhode Island Hospital USA:RI:Providence

Work Type: Part Time

Shift: Shift 1

Union: UNAP