REGISTERED NURSE

The Cardiopulmonary Registered Nurse provides specialized nursing care to patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. This role involves assessing patient needs, developing and implementing care plans, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. The Registered nurse is responsible for providing cardiac monitoring for all phases of cardiac rehab and for monitoring patient progress, educating patients and their families, and ensuring compliance with healthcare standards and protocols. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure. 

Essential Duties

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients' cardiopulmonary status, including vital signs, EKG readings, and respiratory function.
• Continuously monitor patients' vital signs, physical condition, and response to interventions. Document all observations and changes in patient status accurately and promptly.
• Develop individualized care plans that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected outcomes, based on the patients individualized situation and anticipated needs in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
• Administer medications, treatments, and procedures as ordered by provider. Monitor patient responses to treatments and adjust care plans as necessary to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Educate patients and their families about disease processes, treatment plans, and self-care strategies.
• Provide emotional support and counseling to help patients cope with their conditions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop care plans that integrate exercise therapy with medical treatments.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and team members to ensure continuity of care.
• Effects change through engagement, involvement, and participation of peers and colleagues, leading other where they need to be rather than where they want to go (American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC]). 
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic medical record (EMR) system.
• Adhere to all hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory standards, including infection control and patient safety protocols.
• Respond to medical emergencies with quick and effective intervention, including performing life-saving procedures and stabilizing patients as needed.
• Adhere to infection control protocols and ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and staff. Implement standard precautions and safety measures to prevent the spread of infections.
• Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• 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.
• Patient Experience: Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• 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.

Non Essential Duties

• Assist with scheduling, inventory management, and ordering supplies as needed.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and audits to enhance patient care services.
• Attend staff meetings, in-service training sessions, and continuing education programs to stay current with best practices.
• Mentor and support junior nursing staff and students during clinical rotations.
• Participate in community outreach programs, health fairs, and educational events to promote cardiopulmonary health awareness.

Required Experience

• Extensive knowledge base in: cardiac anatomy and physiology, cardiovascular physical assessments, arrhythmia and 12 lead assessment, emergency cardiac care, pathophysiology of coronary artery disease.

Preferred Experience

• Stress test familiarity
• Minimum of 1-year clinical experience in cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation preferred.

Required Licensure/Education

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing (Associate's degree in Nursing).
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Illinois.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association required.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required within 6 months of hire.
• *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

• BSN preferred*
• Professional nursing certification in area of specialty preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: ETOH, Sani cloth
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Frequent due to Ph I CVOR's.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Rare, most exposure is with non-infectious outpatients.

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

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/MD's. Ability to ask for help.
• Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, patient education, ability to read reports, ability to read machines.
• Smell: Helpful for electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, calls for help and to hear patient verbalizations; patient assessment.
• Touch: Necessary to assess patients, writing, computer entry, filing.

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:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

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, omnicell, 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: 8
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Very loud
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere:
• Special Hazards: Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical - Exercise equipment, monitor O2.
• Protective Clothing Required: Universal precautions