POSITION SUMMARY

Functions under the direct supervision of the Manager, Cardiology & Pulmonary Services and Nursing Supervisor, Cardiology. Performs all aspects of clinical support for diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures. May assist with compilation and reporting of procedural information to benchmarking, regulatory, or accreditation agency(ies), as required.  Participates with all team members to provide and achieve optimal patient outcome.  Participates in on-call rotation for emergency cardiovascular procedures outside normal operating hours.  Will be assigned to the Electrophysiology Suite.  Will function as a Charge RN on a day-to-day rotational basis in the Cardiac Catheterization/ Electrophysiology Laboratory. Accepts assignment to Echo-Cardiology and maintains competencies for both departments.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. Completion of an accredited registered nurse program required.
2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.

Experience:

1. At least one (1) year of prior Cardiac Cath Lab experience preferred. A minimum of two (2) years Emergency Department or ICU nursing experience may be considered.
2. Cardiac Catheterization laboratory experience with percutaneous coronary intervention experience with in the last 5 years preferred.
3. Cardiology-Echo lab experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Demonstrated critical thinking skills.
2. Effectively functions as a team member and as a liaison between patient and staff.
3. Supports and encourages harmonious communication skills.
4. Job requires strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
5. Communicates in highly professional manner at all times.
6. Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with ill people; uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families, and co-workers at all times.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania.
2. Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.
3. Within four months from the hire/transfer date, meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and renews ACLS every two years.
4. Certified as a Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) is preferred.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general supervision from Manager, Cardiology & Pulmonary Services and Nursing Supervisor, Cardiology.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Nursing Practice:
   1. Performs duties, procedures, and documentation for cardiac catheterization laboratory functions (pre-procedure, intra-procedure and post-procedure) at a professional nursing practice level utilizing the nursing process (Assessment, Nursing Diagnosis, Planning/Outcome Identification, Implementation, and Evaluation) that provides for patient teaching, plan of care development, and revision of care based upon patient condition.
2. Environment:
   1. Assists in the maintenance of a safe environment by assuring equipment and supplies are available; applying principles of aseptic technique; maintaining effective/efficient use of materials; practicing radiation safety techniques, including all ALARA principles and policies; developing/revising policies and procedures; and supporting quality assurance/performance improvement measures.
   2. Completes or assures completion of daily checks for presence and function of emergency equipment (Code Cart, temporary transvenous pacemaker, intra-aortic balloon pump, etc., as listed on “Daily Checks” list in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory).
   3. Assists in development of services.
      1. Assists in program development including the implementation of new services.
      2. Promotes effective, correct, and efficient utilization of supplies and equipment
   4. Adheres to Department-specific and Mount Nittany Medical Center standards and policies and procedures.
3. Technical Performance:
   1. Based on orders of the supervising physician, manages and/or performs patient care in pre-procedure, intra-procedure, and post-procedure environment, and may function in role of procedure circulator, scrub/assistant in the sterile field if appropriately training (for equipment set-up and assisting physician in procedure), control room monitoring, or monitoring and assessment of patients in the pre/post-procedure environment.  Includes: vascular access site(s) preparation for procedure, set-up of hemodynamic monitoring equipment, medication administration, monitoring of moderate (conscious) sedation, operating hemodynamics monitoring equipment and recording of hemodynamic information, collection and analysis of arterial and venous blood samples, operation of equipment within the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, and obtaining arterial hemostasis (including assessing success of deployment of hemostasis device) following procedure.
   2. Procedures performed in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory could include, but are not necessarily limited to: diagnostic and interventional coronary artery catheterization; diagnostic left heart catheterization; right heart/pulmonary artery catheterization; temporary or permanent transvenous pacemaker insertion and operation; pericardiocentesis; placement and operation of intra-aortic balloon pump; Impella, central venous line placement; transesophageal echocardiography (in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Cardiopulmonary Services, or at patient’s bedside in Critical Care area); elective or emergent electrical cardioversion; tilt table testing, venous ablations, peripheral angiograms and peripheral interventions.
   3. Procedures performed in the Electrophysiology Suite with which the nurse may also be involved could include, but not necessarily be limited to:  peripheral arterial or venous diagnostic or interventional procedures; permanent pacemaker/ICD/CRT implantation; implanted loop recorder placement; central venous line placement.
4. Liaison and Education:
   1. Functions as cardiology educator for patients, co-workers, the community, other Mount Nittany Medical Center departments, and physicians’ offices in a manner that positively markets and promotes services of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, and promotes cardiovascular health and wellness.
5. Adheres to the standards of the general RN job description.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.