Registered Nurse - Stress Lab

Scope Of Position

Manages care for the stress testing patient population. Functions as a member of the cardiology team under the supervision of a cardiologist or advanced practice provider (APP) to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care. Responsible for inpatient cardiac stress testing and care management of the patient, which includes monitoring stress testing, providing a liaison between the cardiologist and patient and his/her family or support system, symptom assessment/management, triage, and patient education.

Responsibilities

• Oversee stress testing following IAC-nuclear based department protocols working in conjunction with nuclear medicine for both treadmill and pharmacologic testing while assuring safe testing with focus on ECG changes, arrhythmia interpretation, and symptom management. Recognizes indications, contraindications, and testing endpoints by responding appropriately.
• Identifies medical problems during stress testing and assesses the need for a cardiologist or APP intervention. Follow provider orders utilizing center resources and/or outside agencies as needed.
• Provide appropriate education to patients, family or significant others regarding diagnosis, treatment plans, symptoms to monitor, answer test-related questions, as necessary.
• Utilizes non-nursing staff appropriately. Delegates to and provides guidance and supervision to medical assistants and LPNs, recognizing their scope of practice.
• Extracts and utilizes patient information from the inpatient record or correspondence from providers.
• Assists with input of demographic patient data and processing test results.
• Performs agitated saline studies for echocardiograms, as needed.
• Recognizes urgent medical issues or special patient needs and intervenes appropriately. Seeks provider input as needed. Provides supportive care to patient, family or significant other.
• Participates in quality assurance measures, including audits and data collection as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Willingness to be crossed trained to other areas within non-invasive vascular such as cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and congestive heart failure clinic.
  
  

Requirements

• RN State of CT Licensure. ACLS and BLS required.
• Minimum 5 years cardiac care experience, which could include telemetry, stress testing, or cardiovascular.
• Working knowledge of arrhythmias, cardiac medications, and assessment of chest pain.
• Previous stress testing experience and knowledge of 12-lead ECG interpretation required.
• Participates in professional development activities.
• Experience starting, using, and maintaining intravenous access and therapy.
• Good critical thinking and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate and present information using correct medical terminology.
• Good communication skills both verbal and written.
• Must have basic computer skills and ability to access the internet and other programs applicable to Waterbury Hospital procedures.
• Perform all functions that fall within job responsibility.