Cath Lab Nurse

Job Title:

Catheterization  Lab RN

Department:

Catheterization  Lab

Reports To:

Catheterization Lab Manager / Cath Lab Director

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Revision Date:

12/12/2022

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Chief Nursing Officer and the Manager Catheterization (Cath) Lab, the Registered Nurse is responsible for professional nursing care and related assistance to perioperative patients.  The Registered Nurse provides direction to Radiology Technologists and Cardiovascular Technologists and non-professional nursing personnel in providing direct patient care and in providing supervision of the Cath Lab. The Registered Nurse supports the medical care of patients under the direction of the Medical Staff pursuant to the objectives of Emergency Hospital Systems. Applies knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span to identify patient and family requirements relative to age specific needs.  If no cardiac procedures are scheduled, the Cath Lab Nurse may be required to work in the Medical/Surgical area of the facility. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Incumbent will assume responsibility for the efficient management of procedural cases assigned.  Comprehensive knowledge of clinical components of care required in the Cath Lab to provide for direct patient care as well as comprehensive knowledge of medical and legal responsibilities to fulfill position responsibilities in the Cath Lab.
• Makes certain all necessary equipment and supplies are available for posted cases.  Applies knowledge of principles of surgical asepsis required for the surveillance of the Cath Lab suite environment and provision of direct care services.  Organizes activities during surgical day to ensure all required assessments of the patient and the environment are completed and documented fully.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, workshops, and in-service meetings etc. 
• Maintains awareness of current hospital and departmental operational standards which impact position responsibilities.  Performs effectively in stressful situations to fulfill position responsibilities.
• Performs perioperative assessment of patients immediately prior to procedure.  Assumes responsibility as circulator on assigned cases or monitor if another Registered Nurse is in the Cath Lab.
• Responds promptly to changes in workload, adjusting assignments as necessary to achieve optimal productivity and efficiency.
• Communicates effectively with Medical Staff to facilitate coordination of patient care among all disciplines providing patient care services.  Cooperates with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee relations with collaborative integration of the healthcare team.  Acts as patient advocate in obtaining care with questioning of orders or other practices as indicated using appropriate channels of communication. 
• Participates in Performance Improvement and is able to articulate departmental Performance Improvement (PI) and Quality Control (QC) activities, one of the top four hospital-wide PI activities and able to state the methodology for PI pursued by the organization.
• Demonstrates the components of the hospital’s core values of compassion, integrity and innovation.
• Demonstrates customer service standards by smiling, making eye contact, greeting each patient and visitor, seeing out patient and visitor contact, displaying appropriate body language at all times, taking time to go above and beyond for one patient/visitor each day, honoring diversity, and thanking each customer.
• Follows all safety rules while on the job.  Reports all accidents and corrects minor safety hazards.  Communicates with peers and management regarding any hazards identified in the workplace.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of radiation safety and actively takes measures to insure that the patient and personnel radiation exposure is kept to a minimum.  The nurse will wear appropriate lead aprons at all times while working in the catheterization while cine or fluoroscopy is being performed.  They will also be responsible for wearing and maintaining a dosimetry badge in accordance with hospital policy.  They will also maintain a safe distance from the xray source whenever feasible to minimize their exposure levels.
• Demonstrates knowledge in arrhythmia detection and management as well as ability to monitor invasive hemodynamic waveforms.
• Responsible for daily checks on the external defibrillator and crash cart to ensure proper location and functioning.
• Responsibilities will include the pre-op assessment and ensuring that the chart is complete with appropriate signed consents, history and physical, and laboratory values.
• Responsible for recovering the patients in the PACU following the procedure.  This may include pulling the femorial sheath and obtaining hemostasis with manual pressure.  Monitoring hemodynamics and assessment of appropriate pulses and surveillance of access site.
• Must demonstrate competency and knowledge of all medications utilized in the cath lab as well as ability to calculate appropriate drip rates of i.v. infusions utilized during invasive procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Safety/Infection Control

• Demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to regulations, policies and

procedures pertaining to safety, emergency preparedness, infection control, OSHA, fire safety and hazardous materials

Performance Improvement

• Participate in performance improvement activities as necessary

Customer Service

• Maintain confidentiality of patient related issues and adhering to all HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills
• Treat all patients, visitors, and staff members fairly and with respect
• Utilize effective communication methods and skills
• Explain all procedures, treatments, and care while remaining aware of language barriers
• Able to perform care in non-judgmental manner and recognize discrepancies between patient and personal beliefs

Company Policy

• Ensure personal appearance is business casual and professional at all times
• Responsible for wearing identification badge at all times which must be visible and above the waistline
• Attend all required meetings and in-service education
• Remain flexible in staffing patterns and resolution of staffing conflicts; participates in temporary assignments
• Compliance with attendance standards
• Demonstrate flexibility when changes in assignments are necessary

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• RN Licensure in the State of Texas, with a BSN preferred.
• Position requires  recent six (6) months to one year clinical experience in an acute care setting required.  One (1) year of ICU or IMU experience is preferred and/or one (1) year experience in a cardiac/interventional cath lab. Experience in pre-op and post-op care is also helpful.
• Current BCLS and ACLS certification.
•   Maintains professional growth and development though seminars, workshops, and professional affiliation to keep abreast of the latest trends in the field of  expertise
• Takes responsibility  to maintain skills and enhance own performance
• Completes annual educational requirements including successful completion of an accredited moderate sedation course.
• Maintains and demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the population served. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization
• Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations

• Basic computer skills

• BLS
• ACLS will need to be obtained within 30 days of DOH

Competencies

• Professional Maturity: The ability to separate emotional feelings from the real issues at hand
• Responsibility: The ability to accept choices you have made and the results they have led to
• Communication: The ability to write and speak effectively; actively listens to others, and give feedback
• Flexibility: Demonstrate responsiveness and adaptability following change initiatives
• Intelligence: Understand information and apply new knowledge
• Energetic: Exhibits high levels of energy and enthusiasm
• Organized: Efficient in structuring tasks to be accomplished
• Computer Savvy: The ability to use technology efficiently and effectively
• Customer Service: The ability to enhance customer satisfaction
• Job Knowledge/Technical Knowledge: Knowledgeable of current role and technical systems, and the impact it has on the organization
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates upmost level of integrity
• Interpersonal Communication: Writes and speaks effectively based on the psychological, relational, situation, environmental and cultural dynamics within the situation
• Collaboration and Partnership: Encourages participation from team members
• Manages Change: Demonstrates flexibility with changing environments
• Problem Solving: Resolve issues in a timely manner
• Attention to Detail: Follows procedures to ensure entry of data
• Organization: Uses time efficiently by prioritizing and planning work activities
• Judgment: Ability to make independent decisions
• Teamwork: Works with others to accomplish objectives and shows support for decisions
• Quality: Sets high standards to ensure quality in work performed
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for adhering to all company policies, procures, and performance expectations

Physical Demands

• The physical demands for this position include: adequate vision, hearing, and repetitive motion
• Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature
• Ascending or descending stairs, ramps and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms
• Substantial movements (motion) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers in a repetitive manner
• Bending legs downward and forward by bending leg and spine

Work Environment

The RN Cath Lab must be able to work in a stressful environment.  They may be exposed to biohazards and chemicals as outlined in the Infection Control, Safety, and MSDS Manuals.  Standard Precautions is required, with significant potential for exposure to latex.  This position may require duties including lifting and carrying up to 35 pounds, pushing, and pulling more than 100 pounds.  It may also require frequent standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, kneeling, and reaching.  Good visual and auditory acuity as well as good manual dexterity and the ability to be readily understood are essential.

Working Conditions:

Routine hazards and risks involved in performing nursing activities and other clinical activities, including potential exposure to infectious processes, potential exposure to hazardous substances, potential musculoskeletal injuries.  Handles emergency or crisis situations.  Requires judgment/action that could result in death of patient.  Exposure to X-ray.

Employee Signature

Printed Name

Employee Signature                                                                                    Date