This professional staff person is responsible for performing assessments, developing a plan of care and implementing and evaluating the care. The RN-Critical administers medications and treatments as ordered by physicians and in keeping with the current clinical nursing practice. Also responsible for directing, monitoring and evaluating the care delegated to non-licensed personnel. The RN-Critical leads the interdisciplinary care team for patients with primarily cardiovascular disease. In addition, the RN-Critical performs a range of technical services in a cross-functional mode to comprehensively serve patient needs. Assumes (under the direction of the Laboratory) responsibility for patient specimen testing, quality control, quality improvement and equipment maintenance.

Primary Duties

Patient Care:

1. Documents findings and communicates all pertinent information to interdisciplinary team members as appropriate.
2. Provides competent direct care and ensures the provision of a safe and comforting environment resulting in a high level of patient satisfaction.
3. Assists healthcare team members in the understanding of hospital policies and procedures.
4. Provides education to patients/families/significant others, incorporating population-specific criteria and assessment of readiness to learn.
5. Maintains patient confidentiality.
6. Maintains standard precautions.
7. Administers medications and completes treatments according to hospital policy and within population-specific parameters.
8. Maintains all necessary documentation.
9. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to use necessary patient care equipment.
10. Coordinates response of the interdisciplinary team to emergency situations.
11. Performs Point-of-Care procedures in a timely manner according to established policy and procedure. Documents required information and complies with all Point-of-Care quality control standards.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

Cath / EP Lab

1. Performs patient assessments pre-, peri- and post-procedure.
2. Maintains a safe, aseptic environment in the Cath Lab.
3. Administers medications as ordered by the physician.
4. Maintains competent knowledge of all procedures and adheres to procedure protocol.
5. Assists all personnel, patients and physicians as needed.
6. Ensures all supplies are available.
7. Operates and maintains equipment in good working order.
8. Participates in the total maintenance of the department.
9. Ensures that patient has an H & P documented by a physician according to appropriate standards prior to procedure.
10. Settles patient after procedures and provides accepting RN with concise reports on the patient.

Qualifications/Specifications

• Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program required.
• Licensure/Certification: Registered Nurse with current state licensure or licensure from a state within the Nursing Compact required. BLS certification required within 30 days of employment and prior to providing direct patient care.  Successful completion of ACLS certification is required for any Registered Nurse by completion of clinical orientation.  Certifications will be renewed by recommended renewal date on the certification documentation.
  • PALS or ENPC certification required for all Emergency Department RNs within one year of employment.
  • RCIS required for Cath/EP Lab RNs within two years of eligibility. Limited Specialty License required within six months of acquiring RCIS. (excluding PRN employees)
    Certification(s) is to be renewed by recommended renewal date on certification card.  ???????
• Experience:

RN I must be:

• New graduate nurse or nurse with less than a year of experience
• Novice skill set

RN II must be:

• Registered Nurse with one or more years of experience
• Experience related to home department
• Novice to intermediate skill set

RN III must be:

• Registered Nurse with two or more years of experience
• Experience related to your home department
• Proficient in Expert Skill Set
• Preceptor or CPI Responder

RN IV must be

• Registered Nurse with three or more years of experience
• Proficient to Expert skill set
• Preceptor
• CPI Responder
• Able to care for IABP patient or multi organ dysfunction demonstrated by competency