Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehab

POSITION SUMMARY :

The Cardiac Rehab RN supervises medically prescribed exercise therapy appropriate to the patient’s age, medical and emotional / mental status. The RN provides education classes, concentrating on client’s understanding of the cardiovascular system and heart-healthy lifestyle modifications necessary to maintain optimum health. The RN is responsible for orientation of cardiac and pulmonary patients and participating in Quality Improvement and KPIs. The RN will participate in the operational duties of the department, such as but not limited to : Policy and Procedure maintenance, revising and development of billing, gathering of statistical data, developing departmental educational opportunities and participating in the on-going growth and maintenance of the excellent customer services provided to all that ECHN serves.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION

Must be a graduate of an accredited professional nursing education program.

Possess and maintain a current State of Connecticut, Registered Nurse license.

Must have certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support upon hire or receive certification within the new employee introductory orientation period and maintain clinical competency during employment within this role.

EXPERIENCE

Must have a minimum of two (2) years recent acute / emergent care experience.

Previous Cardiac Care is preferred.

COMPETENCIES

• The incumbent must be proficient in cardiac monitoring.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITES :

Disclaimer : Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position. These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.

Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, self-study, workshops, and professional affiliations. Conducts in-service for Cardiac Rehab / Stress Lab staff annually.

Represents the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department to the community through community based programs thereby increasing awareness of the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

Assesses the patient’s condition and care needs by collecting accurate and thorough data on admission , explains the Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehab program in detail and performs six (6) minute endurance walk(s) with the patient.

Accurately identifies actual and potential nursing diagnoses and / or problems.

Assesses patient and / or family learning needs, including the ability and readiness to learn. Identifies and arranges appropriate resources to assist in the educational process.

Participates in department QI and KPIs, data collection and reporting and Policy and Procedure maintenance.

Plans nursing actions to ensure individualized patient-centered care by integrating the patient, family, and / or multidisciplinary staff assessments in order to develop a comprehensive plan of care.

Conducts education classes for the patient and significant others as per education calendar according to appropriate teaching modules and documents in the patient’s chart.

Accurately completes necessary documentation including running daily and multi-session reports according to department policy.

Assesses the patient’s response to exercise and modifies the exercise prescription accordingly as per MD order and department policy.

Supervises exercise sessions for the patient, monitoring patient’s cardiovascular responses to exercise through blood pressure, telemetry, and RPE scale.

Identifies cardiac rhythms accurately and initiates appropriate interventions.

Develop a plan of care, formulating short and long term goals with the patient, document the progress of the patient toward the expected outcome.

Consistently anticipates emergency situations and takes action to prevent or minimize a negative outcome by demonstrating the ability to organize and delegate appropriately in emergency situations.

Collaborate cross site for the AACVPR credentialing process.