Cardiac Rehabilitation RN

General Summary

The Cardiac Rehabilitation RN is responsible for identifying patient needs and priorities for care through assessment, planning for and delegating care based on patients needs, executing therapeutic physician-and nurse-initiated interventions, and evaluating the patient's response to care and progress toward outcomes. Whenever possible, the family or significant others are included in the plan of care of the patient. Coordinates care and communicates essential information between other professional disciplines as needed and uses available resources and innovative strategies to provide care.

Empowers the patient and/or significant others to make informed changes in health related behaviors. The Cardiac Rehabilitation RN is responsible for the promotion of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

Principal Job Functions

*Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values. *Initiates assessment based on the patient’s presenting problems or needs and the physician’s medical diagnosis: Collects key information from patient, family, and medical reports. Determines nursing diagnosis and priorities for care with special consideration given to patient teaching, goal setting, psychosocial well-being, and functional status. Assesses tolerance of activity levels, collaborates with other team members and makes recommendations/referrals regarding appropriateness of return to work or ADL’s.

Assesses and applies interpretation of diagnostic/monitoring data to the plan of care. *Completes ongoing assessments according to LifePointe policy and/or as determined by patient condition: Re-prioritizes care and sets new goals based on new information. Continues to update nursing diagnoses/patient problems. Involves family and/or significant individuals in assessment activities. *Appropriately interacts with patients/families from a variety of developmental and sociocultural backgrounds; seeks interpreter assistance as appropriate. *Provides information to patients and families which reduces anxiety and conveys an attitude of acceptance, sensitivity, and caring. *Initiates communication with health care team members regarding treatment planning; informs appropriate health care team members (including physicians) of patient’s condition/rehab status. *Completes clinical/non-clinical assignments based on departmental workload and the qualifications and competencies of self and other staff members. *Collaborates with staff and appropriate resource person(s) to formulate and update treatment plans and to work toward positive outcomes.

Initiates problem solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with health care team members and peers. Assesses individual educational needs, barriers for learning, and learning styles and provides appropriate learning experiences; reviews, develops and provides educational materials appropriate to patient needs. *Provides education to patients and significant others regarding disease entities, risk factor management and behavior modification and promotes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in individual and group settings. Advances work knowledge by participating in continuing education inservices, reading periodicals/literature and seeking ongoing development opportunities.

Supports and is involved in the hospital/departmental quality improvement initiatives; responds to problems/opportunities to improve care and/or processes. Attends staff meetings and inservices as appropriate. Assists in employee, intern, and student observation/orientation. *Following orientation, provides assistance in related program functions such as Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Enhanced External Counterpulsation.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*”. Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

Education And Experience

Current Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act. Minimum of one (1) year critical care experience required.