GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
The Nuclear Cardiology staff nurse is a registered nurse who is responsible for providing and assuring competent, compassionate nursing care for patients and families seeking cardiac diagnostic stress testing. The staff nurse is responsible and accountable for the overall nursing care management of this designated group of patients during stress testing as well as all patients receiving care within Molecular Medicine. This includes collaboration with other professional, non-professional and support staff. In addition, she/he provides clinical support to allied staff/departments. She/he collaborates with the Unit’s Managers and members of the Patient Care Team to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.1 Performs a focused patient interview as an integral component of assessing patients’ appropriateness for eligibility for stress testing.
1.2 Synthesizes complex physiologic parameters to determine appropriateness or ineligibility for testing of individual patients.
1.3 Actively advocates for a safe patient experience. Assesses for, identifies and responds appropriately to patient care issues.
1.4 Maintains up to date information related to Acute Coronary Syndromes, cardiac markers, and clinical evaluation of patients with known or suspected Ischemic Heart Disease, and applies these concepts in evaluating patients, including appropriateness/contraindications for stress testing. Is knowledgeable regarding common secondary diagnosis/disease states, i.e. Diabetes, COPD, Oncology, etc., and applies these to care of the acute/in-patient and out-patient populations. Is familiar with common lab values, interprets their significance and applies to individual patient scenarios/clinical decision-making. Engages in learning opportunities/education to care for patients being considered for other imaging techniques, i.e. Cardiac PET scans.
1.5. Applies American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines when assessing patients for stress testing.
1.6 Independently performs both exercise and pharmacologic stress testing including 12 lead ECG interpretation, arrhythmia recognition, as well as recognizes indications for terminating the stress study.
1.7 Develops a personal philosophy in which one feels increasingly comfortable in taking clinically sound and appropriate risks.
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1.8 Critically evaluates own decision making and judgments. Learns, adapts and improves own nursing practice based on evaluations of nursing performance and feedback.
1.9 Documents relevant patient information in the electronic reporting system and in the patient’s chart. Demonstrates good computer skills and knowledge of clinical/departmental computer applications.
1.10 Recognizes, assesses and responds to acute/emergency situations, including chest pain, shortness of breath, changes in mental status, arrhythmias, hemodynamic instability and syncope among others, airway assessment and initial management of a compromised patient (i.e. acute respiratory failure) and demonstrates the ability to respond appropriately including the ability to implement and direct initial cardiac resuscitative efforts, prepare and administer IV medications, etc.
1.11 Accurately identifies arrhythmias and interprets 12 lead ECGs and is aware of when additional/adjunct resources are needed.
1.12 Responsible for patients requiring cardiac telemetry.
1.13 Manages unexpected clinical situations and multiple competing priorities in a flexible and adaptable manner. Is able to appropriately and effectively prioritize and delegate responsibilities as needed.
1.14 Operationalizes the critical mission of the Nuclear Cardiology Lab. related to the overall hospital’s LOS priorities.
1.15 Possesses a global awareness of the daily schedule both for the individual as well as the entire staff.
1.16 Provides and maintains a therapeutic environment for patients and their families.
1.17 Articulates the role of the Nuclear Cardiology Lab staff nurse to the patient, family and health team members.
1.18 Maintains open lines of communication with Lab. staff as well as with the nursing staff on the patient care units, providing for collaborative relationships with staff. Effectively provides accurate patient status report to appropriate staff caring for patients, both in the lab. and with the patient’s care-unit/team members.
1.19 Is open and inclusive of other’s values.
1.20 Values and develops collaborative relationships with patients and families to optimize participation in the testing process, and thus optimize the quality of the test results.
1.21 Defines standards of excellence for patient’s undergoing stress testing.
1.22 Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served (school age and above).
1.23 Challenges and shapes systems on the unit and hospital wide to achieve best possible outcomes.
1.24 Actively empowers and advocates for patients and families to maintain their participation in decision-making and goal setting.
1.25 Responsible for providing nursing care to Stress lab. patients including the Stress Holding Area, exam rooms, Non-Imaging rooms, camera rooms, Prep. rooms, etc.
3.3 Provides clinical support/nursing services within Nuclear Cardiology as well as allied departments as needed, i.e. Echocardiography, PET CT, etc.
administering medications, delivering testing documentation, actively retrieving necessary documents/items from patient units, coordinating phlebotomy, preparation of patients for testing, etc.
4.1 Adheres to MGH/Department of Radiology requirements for required training.
4.2 Identifies own learning needs and goals and develops a plan to meet them.
4.3 Develops and maintains professional practice through continuing educational
programs, appropriate learning experiences, and contacting/consulting with expert/resource.
and/or formal academic programs.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Requires RN to work and walk between the 2 areas, in the main hospital and Yawkey, to care for both in and out-patients. Requires ability to assist in the physical transfer of patients as well as provide total nursing care/physical assistance to patients within the department. The RN must be able to anticipate, assess and respond to the specific needs of the cardiac/medical patient population, including performing CPR, patients walking on the treadmill, ADLs, IV therapy, etc. Physical efforts required for this position include, bending, lifting 1-50 lbs. (including transport/use of cardiac monitor/defibrillator), walking to various units within the hospital, i.e. exchange of code cart, transfer of patients and pushing stretchers and wheelchairs.LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS:
Licenses:
Required:
Certifications:
Preferred:
EDUCATION:
RN diploma graduate or Associates Degree with 1 year of relevant experience is the minimum requirement
BSN is preferred
EXPERIENCE:
Required: 1 year nursing experience
Preferred: Cardiac telemetry
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