Cardiac Stress Nurse

NATURE OF DUTIES

Under the supervision and guidance of physicians, the stress lab registered nurse assists in planning, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating care by providing holistic and professional care to their clients.

QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing. Current and unencumbered licensure with the Resident State Board of Registered Nurses Minimum of two years of critical care or similar experience required. Basic Life Support certification (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS) are both required. Successful completion of EKG, stress testing, and general cardiology courses assigned via virtual learning platform within 12 months of hire. Effective Communication Skills Desired: Advanced certification in field of Cardiology/Cardiovascular nursing

Specific Duties

The registered nurse assists in providing healthcare to patients in accordance with his/her knowledge base, experience, competence, and within the scope of practice defined by their Resident State Board of Nursing.

Direct Patient Care Items

Non-Pharmacologic, pharmacologic, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) stress test are to be initiated, monitored, reported and completed by the Stress Lab - RN with the support of the Nuclear Technologist. Skills Necessary: IV management – including vein selection, initiation of IV with venipuncture using aseptic technique, and removal of IV catheter achieving hemostasis. Ability to understand and identify EKG/rhythm pattern abnormalities EKG preparation, recording and preliminary interpretation of the EKG and communicating abnormalities to provider Monitor and document vital signs Identify and Treat adverse effects of stress agent under the guidance of the provider Good social skills and time management Notify patients of procedure and diet limitations as well as pharmaceutical limitations 24-48 hours prior to testing. Participate as a member of a holistic health care team to achieve a goal of maximum wellness by offering or conveying suggestions to the physician concerning the plan of care. Assist team members in giving care to patients or administer direct care when professional nursing skills and judgments are needed. Assist physicians with special tests and procedures as needed under his supervision and/or direction. Interpret, implement, and assist others in implementing physician orders accurately. Clarify and consult with the physician regularly and as needed. Assist with or institute emergency measures, within the legal realm, for sudden adverse developments in patient’s condition. Monitor results of therapeutic tests and procedures in accordance with patient’s clinical diagnosis, report findings to physicians and institute appropriate nursing instructions. Administer prescribed medications and treatments with proper technique and with professional knowledge.

Documentation/Records/Billings

Complete all necessary and required documentation for each patient encounter. Complete medical records generated in a timely and accurate manner. Create accurate and complete electronic documentation such as treadmill reports and history and physical documentation into the electronic medical record (EMR) or electronic health record, as required, and enter electronic messages to other departments to assist with patient flow and document patient wait times.

Communication & Coordination of Patient Care

Monitor results of therapeutic tests and procedures in accordance with patient’s clinical diagnosis, report findings to physicians, and institute appropriate nursing instructions. Act as a liaison between the patient, family physician, nursing staff, ancillary personnel, social services, administrative and clerical personnel to assure optimum patient care. Respect the patient by conveying his wishes concerning medical therapies advance directives, and the use of extraordinary care to the family or physician. Respect the patient’s religious wishes both in medical treatment and at the time of death by making these wishes known to family and physicians. Utilize the nursing process to assess the patient’s physical, psychological, emotional rehabilitative and social needs and convey those needs to appropriate health team members as the patient advocate. Identify teaching needs of patients and provide them with information or appropriate resources. Function in a general leadership position in the clinic setting over all office ancillary staff and be a reliable medical resource. Perform patient and family teaching in all settings when required.

Professional Duties

Maintain current proficiency and certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support. Participate in continuing education to improve quality of care provided and assure competency. Accept responsibility for actions performed. Attend monthly team meetings and committee meetings as needed. Participates in quality and performance improvements activities. Participate in orientation of new team members and foster a learning environment when mentoring and providing preceptorship. Perform community and lay public presentations representing MCI for the purposes of primary prevention and community education. Provide care based upon current standards of practice and clinical guidelines/protocols. Utilizes principles of ethical decision-making, patient advocacy, and risk/benefit factors assessment in determining the best plan of care.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

Performs other related duties as assigned and serves in whatever other capacity deemed necessary for successful completion of the mission and goals of CIS and in concordance with its patient philosophy. Assist in MCI staff education efforts by supporting and/or providing staff education and training.

Standards of Performance

Keeps work area neat and organized. Reports safety issues to team leader immediately. Works efficiently and manages time wisely. Assist other employees when all duties are complete. Communicates any problems, difficulties or concerns regarding job duties to the team leader. Performs all duties without significant error occurring with any regularity. Meets all deadlines and timeframes for completion of assignments. Represents MCI in a professional manner at all times. Demonstrates acceptable ability to interact with physicians, staff (“internal customers”) and “external customers” (patients, family members, insurance companies, home health etc.) on a professional level at all times. Exhibits good communication skills with physicians, patients, team leaders, and co-workers at all times. Exhibits whenever possible a harmonious relationship with other CIS employees in order to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the position. While perfect harmonious relationships with all employees is sometimes not achievable, not more than an occasional complaint should be received by the team leader about the incumbent of this position. The employee shall work and relate cooperatively with all other employees (internal customers) of MCI to assure optimum care for the patients of MCI and to achieve standards of care set forth by the MCI medical staff. Adheres to the MCI Compliance Plan as it pertains to the above specific job duties. Uses best efforts to maintain compliance by following the MCI Corporate Compliance Plan, attending compliance education, following medical documentation guidelines, and communicating concerns regarding compliance issues. Performs accurate and complete documentation in the patient’s medical record, when applicable. This includes documentation in both the paper record and the electronic medical record (EMR) or electronic health record. Work with the EMR or health information management (HIM) staff to maintain quality and work towards future EMR, computerized or electronic patient records and/or document management system development. Maintains patient confidentiality according to the HIPAA standards of privacy and security.