RN - Echocardiography - MGH

Mass General Brigham • Boston, MA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The RN in the Echocardiography Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital provides competent, compassionate nursing care to patients and families during stress, transesophageal, and transthoracic echocardiogram visits. The role manages nursing care for a designated patient group, including patients transported to the holding area, and collaborates with department managers and the patient care team to achieve optimal outcomes across inpatient and outpatient labs.

The nurse assesses and responds to acute clinical issues, performs nursing functions during stress and transesophageal echocardiography, monitors patients before, during, and after testing, and supports safe patient flow through the holding area. The role also provides patient education, maintains equipment and documentation, supports department operations, collaborates with and teaches colleagues, and maintains clinical knowledge through continuing education. This position is onsite at 273 Charles Street and is scheduled for 36 hours per week in four nine-hour day shifts.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of clinical nursing experience.
• Advanced knowledge of cardiac care and telemetry.
• Associate's degree in Nursing required; experience cannot substitute for the degree.
• Massachusetts Registered Nurse license required.
• Familiarity with practical nursing principles and skills needed to provide patient care and treatment.
• Knowledge of care requirements for the age groups served.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and secure sensitive information.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Excellent verbal and communication skills.
• Ability to accurately screen and triage acute patients.

Nice To Haves

• Prior ICU or procedural experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, compassionate nursing care based on scientific principles and the nursing process.
• Recognize, assess, and respond to acute clinical issues, including chest pain, shortness of breath, mental-status changes, arrhythmias, hemodynamic instability, syncope, and compromised airways.
• Interpret 12-lead ECGs, identify arrhythmias, recognize emergencies, and initiate or direct initial cardiac resuscitative efforts as appropriate.
• Conduct exercise and pharmacological stress testing; monitor ECGs, vital signs, patient tolerance, and potential complications before, during, and after testing.
• Determine when stress testing should be terminated for medical reasons or patient tolerance, and determine when recovery is complete and the patient may leave the testing area.
• Maintain current knowledge of acute coronary syndromes, cardiac markers, ischemic heart disease, and common secondary diagnoses relevant to patient care.
• Perform nursing functions during transesophageal echocardiography, including procedural sedation education and monitoring, patient screening, and glucometry and pre-procedural COVID antigen point-of-care testing.
• Work with nursing staff, advanced echocardiography fellows, and attending cardiologists to provide safe patient care.
• Manage patient flow into and out of the holding area and assist with evaluation and management of acute patient issues in the lab.
• Communicate patient status accurately to lab staff and patient care unit staff, and maintain collaborative relationships between the lab and care units.
• Perform agitated saline contrast or left ventricular echo contrast studies for echocardiography.
• Educate patients about stress tests and transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiograms, and document relevant information in patient charts.
• Prioritize and delegate responsibilities as needed, evaluate personal clinical judgments, and adapt practice based on evaluation and feedback.
• Help maintain a therapeutic environment, advocate for patients and families, and support their participation in decision-making and goal setting.
• Teach and coordinate with colleagues and other personnel, participate in new-staff orientation, and serve as a resource to colleagues for stress testing.
• Participate in operational activities, committees, and policy and procedure development; maintain the holding area, supplies, and equipment; and assist with narcotic counts.
• Maintain and update clinical knowledge and skills through required training, continuing education, and other professional learning activities.
• Maintain accurate reports and records, administer medications, monitor for reactions or side effects, record medical information and vital signs, report changes in patient condition, and coordinate and modify care plans with the healthcare team.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Generous paid time off.
• Subsidized MBTA pass with a 50% discount.
• Resources for childcare and emergency backup care.
• Hospital-paid retirement plan and tax-sheltered annuity plan.
• Employee discounts on tickets and passes for ski resorts, museums, and sporting events.
• Career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums, and bonuses as applicable, and recognition programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree