Registered Nurse Cath Lab

Mount Sinai Medical Center•Miami Beach, FL

About The Position

The Registered Nurse Cath Lab provides nursing care for patients undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures. The role includes cardiovascular and hemodynamic monitoring, assessment, planning and implementation of individualized care, medication and intravenous therapy, pre-operative and post-operative care, patient education, and evaluation of patient outcomes. The nurse uses cath lab specialty equipment, follows safety precautions including radiation exposure measures, and reports abnormal findings and rhythms to physicians. The position also supports patient transfers, documentation, emergency interventions, unit-based performance improvement, staff development, and leadership activities. The nurse may function as a Charge Nurse, preceptor, or clinical resource and participates in required training and staff meetings.

Requirements

Current Florida nursing license.
Current Basic Life Support certification.
One year of experience in an RN position within a telemetry-monitored area or specialty patient care unit.

Responsibilities

Monitor, assess, document, and troubleshoot patients’ hemodynamic responses, including using cath lab specialty equipment; report abnormal rhythms to physicians.
Transcribe, review, and carry out physician orders, and complete assessments and reassessments according to hospital policy.
Insert peripheral intravenous catheters and administer and monitor conscious sedation as appropriate.
Follow safety measures related to radiation exposure and use safety devices before, during, and after cardiac catheterization procedures.
Perform groin management for arterial sheath interventions.
Obtain initial vital signs and admission history, assess the chief complaint, and notify a physician within 15 minutes of arrival.
Complete and document nursing admission and systems assessments, identify patient education and psychosocial needs, and develop a plan of care within eight hours of admission.
Respond to diagnostic data and initiate appropriate actions or interventions.
Establish patient-care priorities and implement, document, evaluate, and revise individualized care plans.
Safely initiate and document nursing interventions during emergencies.
Prepare intravenous solutions using aseptic technique; administer, observe, and document intravenous therapy according to hospital policy.
Administer medications within 30 minutes of their scheduled time, document their effectiveness, and promptly report adverse reactions.
Provide individualized care-plan instructions to patients and significant others; meet hygiene needs and provide pre-operative and post-operative care and instruction for cardiac catheterization patients.
Use unit-specific equipment safely and correctly and adhere to standard precautions and hand hygiene guidelines.
Document patient valuables and arrange appropriate storage; perform aseptic dressing changes; collect and label ordered specimens; and perform bedside glucose monitoring according to policy.
Insert intermittent or indwelling urinary catheters using aseptic technique and administer oxygen therapy according to physician orders.
Transfer patients into and out of the cath lab efficiently, obtain complete physician orders, complete transfer summaries and referral forms, and give or receive report for intra-facility transfers.
Use restraints safely and correctly.
Document and report patient responses and outcomes related to interventions, treatments, procedures, interactions, and education; evaluate progress toward goals and update care standards as needed.
Complete mandatory hospital and unit in-services, plan and document unit in-services as required by level, document annual clinical skills competency, and attend required staff meetings.
Use established communication channels to resolve problems and interpersonal conflict.
Attend 75% of staff meetings; function as a Charge Nurse by maintaining clinical knowledge of unit patients, triaging and assigning beds to promote patient flow, and attending a Charge Nurse course.
Serve as a preceptor or clinical resource and actively participate in unit-based performance improvement.