In an environment of continuous quality improvement, the CVICU Registered Nurse is responsible for rendering specialized professional nursing care to cardiothoracic surgery patients while directing and guiding patient teachings as well as activities of ancillary personnel.  Exhibits the MHS Standards of Excellence and exercises strict confidentiality at all times.

 

Job Functions:

Participates in bedside shift report/handoff. Performs hourly rounding. Obtains required patient assessments and reassessments and consistently documents per hospital policy. Develops a plan of care and teaching plan based on assessed needs of patient and family, revises the care plan when diagnosis and needs dictate and consistently documents per hospital policy. Coordinates timely, adequate teaching to patient/family/significant other in preparation for discharge and documents appropriately. Implements and monitors nursing interventions and consistently documents per hospital policy. Participates in interdisciplinary rounding and collaborates with team members to identify patient needs. Recognizes changes in patient conditions and communicates with physician using SBAR. Effectively manages patient care and delegates appropriately according to the needs of the patient and the skill of the caregiver. Utilizes appropriate interpersonal communication which facilitates productive relationships with other team members. Facilitates a positive and caring relationship with others by utilizing trust and mutual respect. Establishes a therapeutic relationship between patient, family, and self, based on empathy and trust. Promotes a positive patient experience. Seeks help from appropriate resources as needed. Maintains at least 8 hours of cardiothoracic surgery specific education annually. Maintains current knowledge of and practices within the scope of hospital policies. Clarifies any unclear communication between members of the healthcare team. Uses proper channels of authority in communicating information. As part of the nursing process, performs admission, handoff, transfer, and discharge procedures. Coordinates with physician’s plan of care, the admission assessment and discharge needs. Effectively manages the care of the cardiothoracic surgical patient in the immediate post-operative period. Performs and maintains temporary epicardial pacing, open cardiac arrest management, PA catheter removal, Pleural chest tube removal (selected nurses) external cardiac defibrillation, CRRT (selected nurses) and VAD (selected nurses). Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as necessary.