Job Abstract

1. PURPOSE OF JOB:

Assist with all aspects of delivery of care for patients having procedures in

the Cardiac Cath/EP Lab including assisting physicians, patient assessments and monitoring, patient education and operation of equipment and to execute the objectives and the policies of the hospital.

2. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assesses, plans, implements, documents, coordinates, and manages patient care according to department and hospital standards and giving consideration to age-specific accommodations.

2. Communicates and collaborates with patients, physicians, family members and other health care disciplines in order to achieve excellence in patient care during hospitalization.

3. Promotes patient safety through adherence to protocols, policies, procedures, evidence-based guidelines and Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.

4. Actively participates in and supports departmental and organizational quality initiatives and goals.

5. Maintains clinical competency according to unit-specific standards.

III. JOB CRITERIA AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

1. Assesses, plans, implements, documents, coordinates, and manages patient care according to department and hospital standards and giving consideration to age-specific accommodations.

* Has the knowledge base to be able to assist in performing the following diagnostic and interventional tests:

• Diagnostic Right & Left Heart Catheterizations

• Invasive Coronary Studies

• Diagnostic and Interventional Peripheral studies

• Diagnostic and Interventional Electro physiology studies

• Device implants

• Noninvasive testing: cardioversions,Tilt table testing & Defibrillator checks.

• Cross training between specialties. Late coverage and on call requirement.

1. 1. Provides patient care, which demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of normal physiology and disease pathophysiology, appropriate nursing and medical interventions and knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the lifespan.

1. 2. Implements patient pre and post care based on evidence based practice.

1. 3. Documents patient response to treatment and effectiveness of care.

1. 4. Provides teaching and discharge planning based on assessment of self-care knowledge/ability on an ongoing basis.

1. 5. Insures appropriate completion of chart and other documentation, including transcription and implementation of physician orders, and computer entry.

1. 6. Insures that no unapproved abbreviations are used when documenting on patient's medical record.

1. 7. In collaboration with the physicians able to intervene as appropriate to prevent complications.

1. 8. Able to perform sheath removal with good hemostasis, using appropriate method for each patient: manual hold or any method of groin/radial closure being used in Cath or EP lab.

1. 9. Implements nursing/physician orders that result in achievement of patient, nursing, and physician goals. Evaluates, revises, and improves patient care using creative strategies, current research findings, and consideration of age-specific accommodations

1. 10. Demonstrates initiative and self-direction in completion of assigned responsibilities in accordance with department needs.

1. 11. Performs selected therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures according to department standards as ordered to include but not limited to:

• • • medication administration: under supervision of physician, such as: Lidocaine ,nitroglycerine, protamine, aspirin, heparin, contrast agents, IV fluids and any emergency medication. Can NOT administer any narcotics or hang any medication drips

    • point of care testing

    • initiation and maintenance of oxygen therapy

    • specimen collection utilizing mobile lab when appropriate

    • 12-lead ECG

    • Insertion and maintenance of Intravenous IV's

    • Flushing and maintenance of central lines:

      1. arterial or venous sheaths

      2. IABP

      3. Pericardial drainage

    • shift refrigerator & code cart check to be completed at beginning of shift

    • 2 patient identifiers will be utilized before performing these interventions and/or procedures

1. 12. Assists patients physically by providing physical support through pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching, turning, kneeling, standing, sitting and balancing, and psychologically by providing emotional intervention.

1. 13. Demonstrates ability to perform with clinical proficiency in crises and medical emergencies.

1. 14. On-call coverage is assigned equally to all associates who are fully trained in Cath lab procedure area. Associates may seek out their own coverage for call and can give up part, or all of their assigned on-call time to equally functioning staff. Staff will also be assigned late nights to cover cases or patient care that may need to occur after normal daily working hours, 7am to 530pm.

2. Communicates and collaborates with patients, physicians, family members, and other health care disciplines in order to achieve excellence in patient care during hospitalization.

1. 15. Utilizes effective interpersonal skills including interaction with staff through understanding, talking, hearing, seeing and listening.

1. 16. Involves patient/significant other in all aspects of the plan of care, serving as advocate when necessary.

1. 17. Consistently and continuously communicates, consults and shares pertinent information regarding changes in patient status and patient care.

1. 18. Uses interpersonal communication techniques that show a willingness to accept and give constructive feedback for the purpose of promoting professional excellence.

1. 19. Effectively communicates pertinent patient/significant other information during hand off of care or between departments report according to SBAR standards.

1. 20. Demonstrates leadership skills in team building and interpersonal relationships to create a cohesive and productive environment.

3. Promotes patient safety through adherence to protocols, policies, procedures, evidence-based guidelines and Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.

1. 21. Maintains safety precautions while providing patient care including infection control isolation, patient/bed positioning, side rails, restraint utilization, skin care, patient/specimen transport, physical environment, fall prevention, seizure precautions, and work injury prevention.

1. 22. Analyzes data and responds to unusual/undesirable clinical status by consulting appropriate healthcare team members, including Rapid Response Team, and taking appropriate action in a timely manner.

1. 23. Maintains equipment in good working order, reports equipment failure, and initiates corrective action. Where appropriate, adheres to defined computer generated quality monitorings or procedures for validation of equipment functionality.

1. 24. Safely administers medications and treatments as ordered according to hospital policy and formulary using the appropriate principles of safe medication administration, 2 patient identifiers.

1. 25. Safely handles various types of drugs and body fluids using knowledge of appropriate standard precautions.

4. Actively participates in and supports departmental and organizational quality initiatives and goals.

1. 26. Identifies professional goals, which reflect own strengths and weaknesses and seeks assistance for improvement of performance.

1. 27. Attends and participates in meetings according to department standards.

1. 28. Supports and participates in department, hospital, and evidence based care quality initiatives, including core measures.

   29. Participates as a team member or in workgroups on department, hospital and/or ISLT evidence based care quality initiatives.

5. Maintains clinical competency according to unit-specific standards.

1. 30. Demonstrates competency in maintaining specific technological skills required by job category and/or specialty area. See individual department competencies for unit specific requirements. Demonstrates a recognition of equipment or technological adaptations dependent on age-specific patient needs (See Scope of Practice as delineated in departmental standards and/or related Policy and Procedure in the Policy and Procedure Manual).

1. 31. Maintains technological competence through practice and ongoing participation in inservices and formalized professional conferences.

1. 32. Recognizes legal responsibilities and functions within limitations as specified by the Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act.

VII. QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Education: Graduate of an accredited School of Cardiovascular Technology

B. Experience: Experience in Cardiac Cath/EP Lab or Radiology Special Procedures Room preferred. New graduates will be considered.

*** Very strong background required in Cardiovascular & Peripheral Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Waveform Analysis, Arrhythmia detection & analysis and Cardiovascular pharmacology and computer experience.

C. Other skills:

1. Certified in B.L.S. for Healthcare Provider and ACLS

2. .Excellent interpersonal and team building skills

1. Encourage a certification of Registry credentials specific to Cath or Electrophysiology Laboratory such as: RCIS or RCES. If certified must maintain required 36 ceu's in 3 year period and report to CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International)

4. Knowledge of computer functionality