Registered Nurse - Cardiac Cath Lab

Assists Cardiologist in performance of diagnostic invasive procedures.

• Maintains operational knowledge of Cath Lab equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Assists and performs diagnostic invasive procedures in the Cardiac Cath Lab. Provides care for patients prior, during and after procedures. Scrubs and assists Cardiologist as requested
• Responds to patient distress situations and assists with equipment quality control and inventory management.
• Prepares sterile trays, instruments, supplies and equipment necessary for procedures, and maintains sterile field. Provides all appropriate services to safely and efficiently complete patient’s procedures.
• Maintains knowledge of cardiac concepts and clinical practices.

Possesses the knowledge & skills level of basic and complex invasive procedures

• Performs Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), stents, IABP placement and operation and peripheral interventions.
• Responsible for patient safety in the CCL and must be able to recognize cardiac arrhythmias and respond according to emergency protocols, operate external cardiac pacemaker and defibrillator. Intervenes with appropriate therapy in the event of cardiac emergencies.

Operation of equipment

• Maintains, troubleshoots and operates fluoroscopy equipment to ensure operability and safety.
• Maintains operational knowledge of Cath Lab equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Selects and operates equipment as needed to perform required exams.
• Calibrates equipment and performs routine preventive maintenance procedures.
• Properly handles and processes PACS images to include storage and transfer.
• Follows radiation safety policies as outlined by the NRC and the Hospital’s Radiation Safety Committee.

Patient care

• Monitors and records patients' hemodynamic status during procedures.
• Administers medications during procedures under the direction of a physician.
• Performs various tests of multiple blood samples obtained through catheterization or other means, from specific areas within the patient’s heart or lung to determine the concentration of gases in order to aid in the physician's diagnosis and treatment.
• Immobilizes patients as necessary and practices radiation safety procedures.
• Acts as patient educator. Explains procedure and answers questions prior to the procedure.
• Prepares written documentation as required by the profession and the department, such as evaluation results, individualized treatment plans, progress reports, and other such reports.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Prepares rooms with appropriate instruments, sutures, supplies and equipment
• Drapes patients for surgical procedures & opens sterile supplies and sets up for procedures

Perform quality control procedures.

• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards. Prepares and maintains written documentation as required by the profession and the department.
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof"…