Level II Registered Nurse (RN) - CVU - Cardiovascular Unit
PennState Health
Lancaster, PA
3x12 hrs, Days

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Responsible for maintaining patient flow, design of exercise parameters and maintenance of overall safety of patient during exercise/testing sessions. Assume an elevated role with instruction of students and new hires and have active participation in a selected special interest project. Serve as a mentor to less experienced staff. Performs various stress tests and other non-invasive cardiac diagnostic procedures utilizing clinical knowledge and professional judgement within the parameters of professional and departmental standards and protocols. Prepares, assesses, and provides care for the patient throughout the procedure. Tests performed may include exercise stress test, cardiopulmonary stress test, pharmacological stress tests, stress echocardiograms and nuclear stress tests. Other testing done may include 12-lead EKG's, Event Monitors, Holter Monitors and scanning Holter Monitors. Tests are performed in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

Essential Functions:

• Possesses the knowledge and skills level to administer treadmill and ergometer protocols for a variety of stress tests which includes: monitor, record, and interpret EKG tracings for diagnostic purposes, determine appropriate testing protocol, recognize presence of permanent pace maker, calculate and record diagnostic parameters, monitor and evaluate patient tolerance to test including chest pain, and prepare study for physician interpretation.

• Responsible for patient safety including recognizing cardiac arrhythmias and respond according to emergency protocols utilizing BLS and ACLS skills and obtaining emergency medical equipment. Provides care to patient: obtain history, assesses patient condition, collects and interprets clinical information for appropriateness for ordered test, explains procedure, obtains acknowledgement forms
• Maintains operational knowledge of Noninvasive Cardiology equipment with ability to troubleshoot this equipment.
• Performs clerical duties (as applicable to specific department): schedule procedures utilizing knowledge of test codes, inventory management, transport tracking. Answers phone.
• Trains/precepts new employees
• Additional training/competency to be completed to independently perform other diagnostic procedures such as Event Monitor and Holter Monitor application and scanning.
• Performs electrocardiograms. Possesses knowledge of rhythm recognition to notify physician of abnormal EKG and patient's total condition throughout the test. May also be responsible for processing EKG’s from various units/off-site locations including reconciling errors and assigning EKG’s for interpretation.
• Maintains clinical information, and enters and retrieves patient data from software applications and EMR specific to testing being done.

Common Expectations:

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment.
• Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards, cleans equipment.
• Prepares written documentation as required by the profession and the department. Maintains established policies and procedures, safety, and environmental and infection control standards.
• Maintains records of examination data and other pertinent information on patients.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, attends in-services, and staff meetings as required

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology and/or other Allied Health related degree required
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification) required within six months of hire
• CPR / BLS certificate for Health Care Providers required
• A minimum of two years clinical cardiovascular experience.

WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?

Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.

For more information:

Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:

• Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
• Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
• Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
• Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
• Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.

For a full list with more detailed information:

WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?

Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.

YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.