Registered Nurse - Ambulatory; Cardiology

Job Description

Performs an age‑specific plan of care for a designated group of patients using the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Collaborates with physicians and other health team members in coordinating and implementing procedures and treatments. Uses leadership skills and clinical judgment to coordinate patient care and direct or delegate activities of the patient care unit team.

• Conducts patient interview, explains policies and procedures to patient and significant others, reviews patient’s chart, answers questions correctly and courteously; assesses gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurological health status; determines mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition and adjusts plan of care as appropriate; assesses level of pain and pain management; communicates and documents patient’s physiologic health status and plan of care.
• Assesses patient’s psychosocial health status; elicits perception of medical/nursing care and expectations of care; determines coping mechanism, knowledge level, and ability to comprehend; identifies cultural or ethnic requirements to reduce anxiety and ensure patient satisfaction; communicates and documents psychological status and plan of support services, counseling, or social services.
• Identifies patient outcomes; develops criteria for measurement of patient outcomes; identifies actual or potential patient problems; determines patient’s need for teaching based on psychosocial and developmental assessment; develops patient outcome statements and establishes individualized patient goals.
• Identifies care activities and establishes priorities necessary to achieve expected outcomes; coordinates the cost‑effective use of supplies, equipment, and medication to achieve outcomes; documents the plan of care and collaborates with physicians and other health team members.
• Implements the plan of care; maintains constant vigilance over patient care to ensure safety precautions are followed; exercises professional skills related to the plan of care; reassesses patients as needed and revises plan of care; administers prescribed treatments; uses equipment necessary for patient care; provides emotional support; applies scientific principles in procedures; records observations and documentation accurately; acts rapidly during emergencies;
  
  provides a calm, quiet, restful atmosphere; communicates with the patient’s family or caretakers; participates in discharge planning and coordinates referrals; provides discharge instructions; evaluates care provided for patient outcome.
• Demonstrates ability to measure effectiveness of care, documents it, performs variance analysis related to outcome data for performance improvement; designs, implements, and evaluates systems to improve care in the unit.
• Collaborates with other care team members in planning and carrying out treatment regimens; provides direction to other team members; collaborates with the appropriate physician on the patient’s plan of care.
• Accurately interprets and implements treatment regimens as prescribed by the physician; assists the physician during treatments and diagnostic procedures; keeps the Patient Care Manager or physician abreast of changes in the patient’s condition or treatments; uses clinical judgment in delegating assignments for patient care and ensures timely completion.
• Performs grades I‑IV decubitus care; performs preventive skin care measures; applies simple dressings with aseptic technique; applies warm and cold compresses; performs irrigations; performs other skin care procedures as necessary.
• Administers medications correctly and safely; identifies medication action, dosage, side effects, and implications; meets standard for medication administration examination; demonstrates preparation of local solutions; educates patients and significant others about drug and food interactions.
• Participates in patient and family education; provides patient with explanation of his or her condition; communicates assessment data orderly by recording, updating, and…