REGISTERED NURSE

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a skilled and dedicated Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Cardiodiagnostics Department in Kankakee, Illinois. The RN will provide high-quality, compassionate care in a specialized cardiovascular diagnostic setting, assisting in procedures such as echocardiograms, stress tests, Transesophageal Echocardiograms, Cardioversions, and Cardiac device monitoring. This role involves assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care, ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout the diagnostic process. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of cardiovascular conditions, excellent clinical and interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, flexibility with assignments within professional scope, duties, and licensure is essential for success in this role, along with a commitment to excellence in delivering patient-centered care.

Essential Duties

• Cardiac Diagnostics & Patient Care: Assist with including but not limited to electrocardiograms (EKGs), Cardiac device monitoring, Echocardiograms, Transesophageal Echocardiograms, Cardioversions, stress tests, and loop recorders. Monitor patients cardiac rhythms. Administer medications and treatments as ordered by providers, ensuring proper patient assessment and timely interventions.
• Patient Assessment and Care Planning: Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients' physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Develop and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with patients, families, and the healthcare team. Participate in the evaluation of diagnostic outcomes and contribute to discharge planning.
• Patient Monitoring: Continuously monitor patients' vital signs and responses to interventions during procedures. Provide direct care before, during, and after cardiovascular diagnostic procedures, including patient preparation and post-procedure follow-up.
• Patient Education: Educate patients and families on diagnostic tests and procedures, ensuring they understand pre- and post-test instructions. Provide resources to support their health management and recovery.
• Coordination of Care: Collaborate with physicians, cardiologists, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure accurate diagnosis and optimal patient care. Participate in team meetings to facilitate seamless coordination.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and detailed records of patient assessments, treatments, diagnostic results, and outcomes in the electronic health record (EHR). Ensure compliance with regulatory and hospital standards for documentation.
• Patient Experience: Foster a positive, empathetic, and supportive environment for patients and their families. Contribute to a culture of teamwork, respect, and open communication among healthcare professionals.
• Employee Experience: Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Offer constructive feedback and assistance to peers, and engage in open communication to promote a culture of mutual respect and teamwork.
• Emergency Response: Respond rapidly to medical emergencies, performing life-saving procedures and stabilizing patients as necessary.
• Infection Control and Safety: Adhere to infection control protocols and maintain a clean, safe environment for patients and staff. Follow precautions to prevent the spread of infections and comply with all health and safety regulations.
• Flexibility: Adapt to changing departmental needs and assignments within the professional scope of licensure, demonstrating flexibility and willingness to assist wherever needed.

Non-essential Duties

• Assist with departmental administrative tasks, such as scheduling, inventory management, and ordering supplies as needed.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and continuing education related to cardiovascular care and diagnostics.
• Support departmental initiatives related to quality improvement and patient satisfaction.

Required experience

• Strong understanding of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and diagnostic testing protocols.
• Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems.

Preferred Experience

• Extensive knowledge of cardiac rhythm and cardiac arrhythmia recognition preferred 
• Advanced knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology and echocardiology interpretive parameters preferred

Required Licensure/Education

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Illinois.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• *New Graduate RNs starting on or after 1/1/25 must earn Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 3 years of start date. 

Preferred Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree preferred*.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Disinfectants, alcohol, Bensoin, Betadine, adhesive removers, chloraprep, room deodorizers, others per MSDS sheets. 
• Video Display Terminals: Average 
• Blood and Body Fluids: Occasionally must obtain blood/urine specimens. Frequent potential exposure during diaper changes. Occasional exposure during IV therapy initiation/medication administration. 
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Occasional possible exposure from infected patients, visitors and families. Usage of protective wear and universal precautions minimize risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/MDs. Ability to ask for help. 
• Vision: Needed for assessment, use of CIS, interpreting monitors, using all equipment, giving meds, starting IVs. Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Needed for communication while wearing mask, obtaining vital signs, doing assessment, detecting monitor and equipment alarms, detecting calls for help, crying, obstruction, becoming aware of parent/family concerns, obtaining MD phone or verbal or PA announcements and alarms. 
• Touch: Needed for routine care procedures and assessment, use of all equipment.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

 Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.): Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25'-150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight:< 5# 
• Pushing &pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally 
• Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, storage/medication dispensing cabinet, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IV's.

Leg Strength - up to 50 lbs: Occasionally- (repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.)

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 6-14
• Outside hours: 1-10
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Dry
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards: Radiation, Chemical, Explosive - Chemical-drugs, occasional use of chemical disinfectants; Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-occasional exposure to portable x-rays. 

Protective Clothing Required: As required for cases of isolation, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.