Nuclear Cardiology Stress Nurse + $10,000 Sign-On Bonus

Location: Falls Church, VA
Status: Non-Exempt | Full-time

$10,000 Sign-On Bonus

Are you looking for new career opportunities, great wages, excellent benefits and work-life balance? Follow your heart to Virginia Heart!

At Virginia Heart, we are currently seeking a registered Nuclear Cardiology Stress Nurse. This registered Nuclear Cardiology Stress Nurse will be responsible for providing and assuring competent, compassionate nursing care for patients undergoing cardiac diagnostic testing with PET CT. The Nuclear Cardiology Stress Nurse collaborates with the PET CT supervising provider, department manager, and department staff to consistently improve the healthcare experience and achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Upon successful completion of the stress test training program and final examination, the Nuclear Cardiology Stress Nurse will work under the direct supervision of a Cardiologist, performing various professional and administrative duties related to exercise stress testing, nuclear medicine stress testing.

When you work with Virginia Heart, you will enjoy a dedicated and experienced staff, competitive wages, excellent benefits and the following rewards and incentives:

No Nights, weekends or holidays!
Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision plans
401(k) Retirement Plan
Paid Short-Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program for Mental and Physical well-being
Three Weeks of Paid Vacation upon eligibility
One week of Paid Sick Leave
Annual Merit-Based increases
Career Advancement Opportunities
Annual Merit-Based increases
Career Advancement Opportunities
Employee Referral Bonuses
Employee Discount Programsts
Quarterly Employee Appreciation; Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events

Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients. We are seeking experienced professionals to join our team in our outpatient cardiology setting. Every employee, at every level, begins their journey at Virginia Heart learning about the history of the organization and its established culture built on trust and integrity. Our employees drive this culture, and we want you to be a part of it.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Demonstrates general knowledge of cardiac stress tests; treadmill chemical stress test, nuclear stress test, and other cardiac diagnostic testing.
Possess the cognitive skills required to perform stress testing, including, but not limited to knowledge of the pathophysicology of the condition for whichthe test is ordered, appropriate indicatons, contraindications, risks, exercise/pharmocalogical protocols, cardiovascular/exercise physiology, hemodynamic response to stress, cardiac dysrhythmias, and ECG responses to stress, end points of exercise/pharmacological stress testing, indications to terminat the stress test, and drugs utilized for reversal of adverse events.
Escorts patients to an dfrom the diagnostic testing room.
Performs a focused chart preparation as well as patient interview as an integral comonent of assessing patients' appropriateness for eligibility for stress testing by screening patient for indications and contraindications tothe stress test ordered and notifying the supervising physician if needed.
Completes required paperwork and consent forms according to departmental policies.
Prepares monitoring room and patient for pharmacological stress by assessing their baseline ECG, blood pressure, and clearly explaining stress procedure to patient.
Assist Nuclear Medicine Technologist when necessary and per stress protocol.
Educates patient and family about cardiac risk factors, how to promote a healthy heart when able.
Able to start IVs and administer medication as instructed by the supervising physician when indicated.
Knowledge of cardiac and emergency medications and their correct administration based on the patient and their clinical condition under a physician’s orders.
Performs stress testing and accurately identifies arrhythmias, changes in the patient’s blood pressure or condition, interprets 12 lead ECGs and is aware of when to terminate the study as well as alert the supervising physician due to changes in the patient’s clinical condition.
Manages unexpected clinical situations and multiple competing priorities in a flexible and adaptable manner. Can appropriately and effectively prioritize and delegate responsibilities as needed.
Documents relevant patient information in the PET CT reporting system, stress system as well as in the patient’s chart.
Possesses a global awareness of the daily schedule both for the individual and the supervising physician.
Responds to patient questions and concerns as liaison between supervising physician and patients.
Coordinates with the hospital schedulers if further cardiac procedures are indicated by the supervising physician.
Recognizes, assesses, and responds to acute or emergent situations, including chest pain, shortness of breath, changes in mental status, arrhythmias, hemodynamic instability, and syncope among others.
Can provide initial management of a compromised patient and demonstrates the ability to respond appropriately including the ability to implement and direct initial cardiac resuscitative efforts, prepare, and administer IV medications, until the supervising physician arrives.
Routinely checks department crash cart with office staff to ensure it is properly stocked and pharmaceuticals are not expired.
Cleans and stocks diagnostic testing room to ensure they are adequately stocked with supplies and communicates supply needs to the appropriate staff member.
Adheres to all radiation safety protocols as they relate to distance, shielding and time, to minimize personal radiation exposure while performing nuclear medicine stress testing as well as infection control policies of the practice and use of universal precautions.
Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
Wears appropriate radiation badge.
Requires frequent standing for extended periods at a time.
Upon successful completion of the prescription refill competency exam, authorizes prescription refills under the direct supervision of the provider as needed.
May be required to cover standard office RN assignments as needed, to include but not limited to, rooming patients for providers, in office and telephone triage, INR management, prescription refills, chart preparation, and In Basket message management.
Perform clerical and other duties as necessary.

REQUIREMENTS:

High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Successful completion of an accredited Radiologic Technology Program that is recognized by the AART or NMTCB required.
Minimum of 2-3 years experience as a computed tomography technologist required.

Licensure:

Current VA State Registered Nurse License required
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred; successful completion orequired prior to independently running stress testing
Stress testing experience preferred, if no prior experience successful completion of required job compentencies within 90 days of employment date
1 year nursing experience required, cardiology preferred.
Prior experience with EPIC preferred
Strong knowledge of clinical nursing care procedures and protocols
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills
(Click link to view other available openings and locations for our company: https://virginiaheart.hiringplatform.com/list/careers)