Sign on Bonus for qualifying new external Clinic RNs available!
Franciscan Medical Group, part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, is currently seeking a full time Clinic RN-Cardio for our Franciscan Heart and Vascular Associates in Tacoma, WA. This position is full time with no weekends, nights or organizationally recognized holidays required.
As our Cardiac Nurse, you’ll care for patients who may have life-threatening cardiac events or conditions while helping their families navigate daily care and the long-term plan for healing and maintenance outside of the hospital.
You’ll never have the same day twice as your patients’ needs evolve. That’s why you must be adaptable and detail-oriented, observing vitals and reporting the warning signs early to our multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, EKG techs, and other cardiovascular professionals.
Your success in this role comes from your enthusiasm to go the extra mile for your patients and your strong assessment skills. To further support your nursing career, we offer continuing education opportunities to help you advance your clinical nursing skills.
- Administers cardiovascular and pharmacological stress tests with the use of imaging modalities and IV therapy as appropriate; interprets EKG findings in accordance with standard protocols.
- Performs diagnostic procedures intended to estimate prognosis, assess for coronary artery disease and heart rhythm irregularities; continually monitors patient’s blood pressure/EKG throughout procedures to ensure patient safety and identify issues.
- Utilizes 12-lead ECG-Exercise treadmill-echocardiography-blood pressure and pulse oximetry equipment, IV equipment and pumps in administering, monitoring and evaluating patient stress tests.
- Executes the procedure hookups, performs a brief evaluation and obtains patient history/assessment prior to beginning of study.
- Starts IVs and administers inotropic and beta blocking pharmaceutical agents; assesses and evaluates patient condition as necessary during administration of IV and related therapies.
- Monitors and screens diagnostic information obtained during the study; halts study in accordance with established protocols and notifies physician of abnormal findings.
- Stocks and maintains crash cart to ensure rapid availability of equipment in the case of a code or other patient emergency.
- Completes cardiac risk assessment forms in response to requests from internal/external providers for cardiac clearance for new/additional clinical/diagnostic tests/protocols; forwards assessments to Cardiologist for final determination.
- Researches patient charts to respond to questions that impact on clinical decision-making on the advisability of cardiac clearance requests.
- Complete multiple request forms for FMLA, disability, CDL and disability forms, FAA and other documentation.
- Reviews protocols established for each procedure/study and provides patient with specifically-tailored training/information based on unique patient medical history and physician-specific protocols.
- Reviews patient medical records in detail to determine medication regimes (e.g. blood thinner medications, insulin, etc) and confirms what and how to take them prior to the procedure.
- Applies procedural guidelines as they relate to the patient’s medical history and concomitant morbidities; orders pre-procedural lab tests and medications per protocols.
- Coordinates and provides pre- and post-operative instructions on multiple different device implantations, watchman procedure as well as evaluate for wound infections post-procedure.
- Provides post-procedure instructions to patient with regard to what to do and who/when to call with questions or concerns.
- As initial point of patient contact, performs nursing triage activities based on direct patient contact or via phone within scope of licensure; independently triages cardiac patients/situations in accordance with standing orders/protocols; addresses more complex, urgent or emergent situations escalated from other clinic staff.
- Assess complex patient health problems/needs utilizing disease specific elements; identifies potentially emergent or critical issues which require immediate action or interventions; determines whether patient acuity/symptoms warrant a clinic visit and/or immediate referral to the ER or physician/provider.
- Executes nursing interventions and/or plan of care to facilitate the patient’s achievement in acquiring their highest level of function.
- Applies professional clinical judgment in making recommendations to physician/providers for further testing and/or new/adjusted treatment modalities.
- Administers patient medications per written provider order; tracks and logs medication usage per established policies; inventories counts of controlled substances.
- In collaboration with physician providers, reviews and assesses data from tools/equipment/devices (e.g. ECG, Holter Monitors, lab studies, remote device interrogation, etc.) relating to patient current health status and makes appropriate treatment decisions (e.g. starting IVs, nebulizer therapies, EKGs, medication adjustments, ordering imaging studies, etc.).
- Documents studies, procedures, and interactions in patient’s electronic medical record in accordance with established procedures; enters, pends and signs orders as appropriate.
- Responds to/triages patient telephone calls using approved protocols, ensuring documentation of phone call meets standards.
- Takes verbal orders from a provider in regard to urgent and/or emergent (not routine/non-complex care) patient safety issues; assures orders are signed off in accordance with established procedures.
