Position Purpose

Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the care of the patient undergoing cardiac catheterization. Responsible for the implementation of the medical plan of care with prompt nursing intervention either directly or through direction of others. Inspects and monitors patient's physiologic status, reports changes to C ardiologist; prepares and administers appropriate medications and evaluates patient's response to therapy. He/she is accountable and responsible for patient safety, quality of services rendered. Accurately completes required documentation.

Role Specific Competencies

1. Administers medications safely according to Doctors Community Hospital policy, without error, utilizing knowledge of action, route, side effects and contra-indications.

2. Demonstrates skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality care services for special age specific populations, such as, but not limited to, pediatrics and geriatrics patients. (Attach current skills inventory and/or skills check list; any current age specific certifications; departmental testing; etc.)

3. Implements medical treatment plan.

• Assists Physician with special procedures and treatments that require professional nursing skills as needed.
• Implements medical orders related to monitoring, medication administration, intravenous therapy without error.
• Ensures all specimens are correctly handled, labelled and delivered to the appropriate departments resulting in no errors.
• Ensures all verbal orders are written and co-signed before patient leaves the department.
• Ensures patency of intravenous infusions for patients receiving diagnostic procedures. Troubleshoots as appropriate (restarts infiltrates, hangs appropriate solutions to avoid interruptions in IV therapy).

4. Knowledge and skill levels are maintained to ensure clinical competency

• BCLS and ACLS certification maintained and current.
• Completes 100% of required in-service educational programs (electrical and fire safety, infection control, CPR).
• Coordinates, develops and presents continuing education programs to CCU, ICU, and others specific to critical care nursing issues in
• cardiac cath setting quarterly.
• Coordinates, develops and presents with medical direction continuing education programs for nursing and medical staff bi-annually.
• Clinical competency checklist is maintained and completed prior to annual evaluation.

5. Maintains patient safety utilizing appropriate Doctors Community Medical Center protocols.

• Demonstrates knowledge of radiation safety practices.
• Reports all equipment malfunctions to appropriate department/vendor for follow-up and repair.
• Conducts equipment safety checks per protocol.
• Uses appropriate Infection Control Policies and Procedures when dealing with patients, staff and significant others.
• Ensures all team members use aseptic techniques when preparing for and performing procedures.
• Makes round in Radiology halls and waiting areas to ensure patient safety (wheelchair, stretchers locked and to one side of the hall).
• Maintains controlled substances per Doctors Community Medical Center policy.

6. Organizes unit and nursing activities efficiently and safely to promote quality care in Cardiac Cath Lab.

• Priorities established and implemented result in no delay to appropriate intervention.
• Utilizes equipment/supplies as intended resulting in cost containment.
• Able to problem solve independently, seeking assistance appropriately.
• Coordinates with Same Day Surgery department or designated nursing unit patient preparation for cardiac cath that results in no unnecessary delay in procedure.

7. Participates in professional growth and development.

• Clinical competency check list and mandatory day is completed prior to annual evaluation.
• Attends a minimum of one (1) discipline specific workshops per year.
• Maintains membership in one (1) discipline specific professional organization.
• Attends 80% of department meetings.
• Attends 100% of required inservice programs.
• Conducts two (2) inservices per year on a clinical aspect of care, safety or radiologic procedure.
• Serves as a role model / resource for other team members and exhibits flexibility and adaptability to change in department practices.
• Identifies strengths and development needs of self.
• Identifies active / potential problems and seeks appropriate solutions to those problems, and assumes responsibility and accountability for "judgements" and actions.
• Appearance consistently complies with department policy.
• Utilizes work time productively. Willingness to cover varying shifts as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• BCLS required, ACLS required.
• Current C PR and IV certification.
• Minimum two (2) years experience in Critical Care or Telemetry.
• Must attain certification in first year of employment.

Physical Requirements

• Concentrates on moderate to fine detail for extended periods of time with irregular telephone and other interruptions.
• Engages in frequent verbal and written communication using appropriate medical terminology.
• Must be able to function in an environment where background noises are a usual occurrence.
• Remembers schedules, tasks to be completed, where activities left off, etc.
• Routinely lifts objects over 50 pounds using good body mechanics.
• Understands and can operate from the conceptual basis of tasks and activities.