Job Description

Job Summary

Provides quality nursing care to patients with the Department of Radiology. Administers conscious sedation, monitors and documents care of patients undergoing interventional radiology procedures. Acts as a resource on patient care issues of Radiologists, technologists, and other nurses. Assist in problem solving for recurrent problems related to patient care in Radiology Department. Provides follow up and feed back to all interested parties. Plans and participates in education in Radiology Department's personnel in such areas as CPR, patient care, safety, and infection control. May precept student nurses and new hires. Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgement and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and take appropriate action.

Radiology Department requires on-call policy for Interventional Radiology Nurse staff. Nursing staff is required to be available 24 hours a day including nights, holidays, and weekends. Staff members who are on-call are required to restrict activities in order to be available immediately for return to the hospital and be ready to work within 30 minutes.

Under general supervision, the professional nurse adheres to the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of professional nursing and performance, and the ANA Code of Ethics to provide care to all healthcare consumers. Applies critical thinking, evidence-based practices and competence to collaborate with the health care team to promote excellence in healthcare consumer safety and quality outcomes. Utilizes the Theory of Human Caring and Caritas in daily practice. "Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, Founder / Director, Watson Caring Science Institute."

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

•Assesses, administers, monitors, and documents patients prior to administering conscious sedation for invasive procedures

•Provides continuity of care for patients while they are in the Radiology Department, as needed

•Coordinates care between inpatients units, clinics, ICU, and the emergency room by utilizing good communication skills, both verbal and written

•Recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations and intervenes quickly to assist in stabilizing the patient

•Ensures safe, therapeutic environment for patients, especially while undergoing invasive procedures. Acts as an advocate

•Responsible for availability and maintenance of emergency equipment within the department (e.g., cardiac monitors, crash carts, defibrillators)

•Provides patient and family education for radiologic procedures. Provides pre and post procedure instructions and follow up as needed

•Coordinates the scheduling and care of all pediatric outpatients who requires sedation (anesthesia) for radiologic examinations. Provides education to patients and families regarding before, during and following these pediatric examinations

•Performs any nursing procedure required for radiologic examinations, intravenous access, urinary catheterization, nasogastric tube placement, etc.

•Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records

•Monitor, record and report symptoms and changes in patient's condition and vital signs

•Develop and modify patient care plans as indicated by patient's responses and conditions

•Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patient's responses and conditions

•Consult and coordinate with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care

•Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity

•Direct and supervise less skilled nursing/health care personnel

•Prepare patients for, and assist with examinations and treatments

•Assess the needs of individuals, families and/or communities to identify potential health or safety problems

•Instruct individuals and families on health education and disease prevention and after care

•Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent or disabled patients

•Medication administration, documentation and reassessment

•Promote positive patient experience

Interventional Radiology is an on-call service after hours. Nursing staff is required to take rotating call and be able to respond for work in 30 minutes or less.

Education and Experience

•Completion of an accredited nursing education program that satisfies the licensing requirements of the Colorado State Board of Nursing for Registered Nurses.

•Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred

•Typically, two years' experience in a patient care setting, with one-year recent critical care experience or equivalent/ED or ICU (within last 1-2 years)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

•Demonstrates competency for any nursing procedures that a patient may require while in Radiology Department which includes obtaining IV access, placing foley catheter, nasogastric tube, stoma care, suctioning, care of drainage tubes, etc.

•Demonstrates competency/familiarity with equipment associated with care of critical care patients (i.e. ventilators, pressure lines, vasoactive medications, etc.)

•Adherence to Standards of Professional Nursing Practice/ Process / Performance [ANA Standards addendum- signed] and accrediting body standards.

•Ensures all duties, responsibilities and competencies are conducted in a manner that is effective and appropriate to patients/clients to who care/service is being provided.

•Demonstrates knowledge and applicability of the principles of growth and development over the life span, as well as demonstrating the ability to assess data reflecting the patient's status and interpreting appropriate cultural information of the patient(s) to whom care/ services is being delivered/provided.

•Employee has completed and met their clinical competency standards

•Ability to use medical equipment and instruments to administer patient care.

•Skilled in maintaining effective working relationship with patients, employees, and the public.

•Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations

•Ability to interpret adapt and apply guidelines and procedures

•Ability to communicate clearly.

Computers and Technology

•Microsoft Office Suite required.

•EPIC documentation preferred.

Certificates, Licenses and Registration

•American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support for Health Care Provider Certification/CPR required.

•Active Registered Nurse (RN) License in the State of Colorado or a participating compact state required.

•National board certification is a preference and encouraged for staff nurses

•Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification.Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) preferred but not required.

All certifications and licenses required for this job must be kept current as a condition of continued employment

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position will be responsible for, but not limited to, coaching, supervision, fostering teamwork, training and development of one or more employees.

Location

Denver Health

Shift

Days

Work Type

Full time

Pay Range

Minimum: 29.90

Midpoint: 37.40

Maximum: 44.90

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Denver Health is an integrated, efficient, high-quality academic health care system that is considered a model for the nation. The Denver Health system includes the Rocky Mountain Regional Level I Trauma Center, a 525-bed acute care medical center, Denver's 911 emergency medical response system, 8 family health centers, 15 school-based health centers, the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, the Denver Public Health Department, an HMO, and The Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado's primary safety net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided more than $3.3 billion in care for the uninsured in the last ten years. Denver Health is a leader in performance and quality improvements and remains financially secure, in part, due to its nationally recognized implementation of lean principles in healthcare. Denver Health is a major resource to the community, serving approximately 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a year.

Located just south of downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

We strongly support diversity in the workforce and Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

"Denver Health is committed to provide equal treatment and equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Denver Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class." more