REPORTS TO POSITION:Heart and Lung Specialists, Supervisor or Manager
DEPARTMENT: Cardiology
DATE LAST REVIEWED:March 2025
OUR VISION: Creating Americas healthiest community, together
OUR MISSION: In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value
OUR VALUES: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:SCHS encompasses practices in three Central Oregon counties and numerous lines of clinical service including Primary Care, Urgent Care, Medical Specialties, Womens Health, Post-Acute Care, Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Behavioral Health, Cardiovascular Services and Cancer Services. We encourage collaboration between clinical and non-clinical staff to assure we are providing our community with comprehensive and compassionate health care.
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Cardiac Device RN provides quality patient and family centered care as a member of the health care team in accordance with St. Charles Health System mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures for cardiac patients in an out-patient setting. The RN applies standards for professional nursing practice and focuses clinical care to enhance the experience for patients, families, and all others.
This position does not directly manage any other caregivers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
Maintains and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of nursing principles, practices, standards, and techniques and applies this knowledge in accordance with SCHS policies and work instructions and within laws and regulations governing nursing practice in the State of Oregon.
Assesses the patients condition and needs using critical thinking and clinical judgment. Sets outcomes; implements appropriate nursing actions and collaborates with other disciplines to meet the patients/familys physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual needs; and evaluates patients progress.
Assesses patient compliance and response to anticoagulants and other medications and adheres to clinic derived protocols. Works to manage complex patients with multiple therapies and make medication adjustments per provider ordered protocols.
Provides clinical and technical assistance to medical assistants, cardiac technicians, and exercise physiologists in performing patient care duties in a multifaceted cardiac care environment.
Provides phone advice with clinically related questions using critical thinking and nursing judgment and clinical protocols to provide the best patient outcomes.
Facilitates communication between staff and cardiologists, and other supporting departments involved in patient care that includes post- hospitalization follow-up.
Coordinates care of device patients across multiple locations in the cardiology service line.
Interprets data downloaded from heart failure monitoring devices under the supervision of a physician.
Evaluates patient education/knowledge level and provides instruction in relation to medications, disease process, prevention of illness, procedures and follow-up medical care.
Instructs patients in the function of pacemakers, ICD's or Loop Recorders and the use of Home Monitor Equipment when appropriate.
Reinforces physician's care plan with patients and family as needed.
Provides specific education related to heart failure, atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, device implant procedures or ablations when appropriate.
Participates in creating a healing environment that supports all aspects of the care environment and the wholeness of each individual, patient and caregiver.
Participates in creating intentional relationships and demonstrates focus attitudes and behaviors that enhance the care experience.
Provides a therapeutic presence in service to others by purposefully responding to the needs of patients in a caring way, including introducing oneself and explaining role in patients care,asking the patient his or her preferred name, sitting with the patient to determine his or her care goals, active listening, and communicating effectively and appropriately through touch, eye contact, etc.
Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests
Documents all patient care with proficiency in compliance with hospital policies, procedures and regulatory agencies.
Calculates dosages and administers medications accurately in accordance with St. Charles Health System policies and procedures for medication administration.
Develops cultural competence and provides appropriate care to patients and family members who belong to diverse cultural backgrounds.
Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.
Supports the Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.
Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.
Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organizations corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.
Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate.
May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.
EDUCATION:
Required: As required by licensure.
Preferred: N/A
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:
Required: Current Oregon RN License. Current CPR certification.
Required: Minimum one (1) year experience in cardiovascular care, particularly with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) such as pacemakers, ICDs, and Implantable Loop Recorders. Experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Preferred: Knowledge of cardiovascular medical treatment and advanced heart diseases. Experience interrogating and managing cardiac devices. Two (2) or more years of acute care nursing experience, preferably in a cardiovascular or electrophysiology setting. Experience in critical care or cardiac rehabilitation.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.
ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:
Must have excellent communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse population and professionally represent St. Charles Health System.
Ability to effectively communicate via phone and through written communication tools.
Ability to multi-task and work independently.
Attention to detail.
Strong team working and collaborative skills.
Demonstrated ability and experience in computer applications, use of electronic record keeping systems and MS Office.
Perform triage tasks utilizing clinical knowledge and expertise
Process authorizations and referrals
Appropriate use of EKG, Holter and Event monitor equipment and usage.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Continually (75% or more): Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.
Frequently (50%): Sitting, keyboard operation.
Occasionally (25%): Standing, walking, bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-10 pounds, grasping/squeezing, operation of a motor vehicle, ability to hear whispered speech level.
Never (0%): Climbing ladder/stepstool, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 11-50 pounds.
Exposure to Elemental Factors
Occasionally (25%): Chemical solution for Laboratory Caregivers.
Rarely (10%): Wet/slippery area.
Never (0%): Heat, cold, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface.