Videos

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

The Cardiac Cath Lab & Electrophysiology Lab Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The Cardiac Cath Lab and Electrophysiology Lab provide care for patients undergoing invasive procedures where surgical precautions and techniques are enforced.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care for the patient in the Cardiology Department - Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Electrophysiology Lab, Pre/Post Procedure Unit and Echocardiography areas.
• Performs patient assessments and monitoring peri-procedurally, administers medications, moderate sedation and IV contrast and procedures per established policies, protocols and guidelines.
• The nursing roles within the Cardiac Cath Lab and EP Lab may include Circulator, Moderate Sedation Nurse, Recorder, EP Pacing Pilot, and/or Scrub Assist.
• Supports physicians and other professionals in using diagnostic and interventional instruments, equipment, and accessories for cardiac and interventional imaging.
• The Cardiac Cath Lab & EP Lab Nurse functions in a highly technical work area and is expected to operate complex equipment used during procedures such as Intravascular Ultrasound equipment, Atherectomy & Thrombectomy equipment, intra-aortic balloon pump, temporary transvenous &/or external pacemaker, defibrillator, intracardiac echo imaging, contrast power injector, cautery, archival system equipment and other complex modalities specific to the procedures performed in the Cardiac Cath Lab and Electrophysiology Lab.
• Performs complex hemodynamic monitoring during invasive procedures utilizing a specialized recording system and is able to efficiently & accurately modify hemodynamic pressure recordings, scales and speeds in obtaining the data needed during complex cardiac procedures.
• Performs venous and arterial sheath removal independently utilizing mechanical and manual hemostasis maneuvers/skills.
• Performs a continual nursing assessment during this process and utilizes advanced critical thinking skills and advanced cardiac life support skills in managing complex situations as needed.
• Maintains the sterile field in the performance of nursing functions.
• Performs a post procedure call following discharge to ensure patient has education on post procedure care as well as identify any symptoms that may need to be addressed.
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Assists with patient care needs throughout the Cardiology department including pre-procedure patient preparation and post procedure care as well as with the application of cardiac monitors used intra-procedurally or for home monitoring needs.
• Provides nursing care and support for patients undergoing echocardiographic procedures such as transthoracic echo, dobutamine or chemically induced stress echo, exercise stress echo & exercise treadmill testing, and transesophageal echo procedures.
• Administers Imaging Contrast and Agitated Saline per standard operating procedure as ordered by the Cardiologist.
• Applies Holter Monitors and Zio Patches for patient home monitoring.
• Performs an initial triage of procedure type and provides education and procedure specific instructions to patient for special echo procedures in the Echocardiography department.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am- 3:30pm, no weekends, no on-call
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
EDRP Authorized: Contact vhavisn23edrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the time of hire.

Basic Requirements:

• · United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• · Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  • In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing.
  • OR
  • The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6)
• · Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia by the time of employment.
• · RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

Preferred Experience, Skills, and Education:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support required within 60 days upon hire.
• Cardiac Cath Lab or Electrophysiology Lab experience preferred.
• Critical Care / ICU experience preferred.
• Cardiac specialty certification preferred.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• · Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• · Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• · Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• · Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• · Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. The VA Medical Center is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and mental health inpatients and outpatients. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, twisting, simply grasp and fine manipulation.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following four dimensions of nursing: Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration and Scientific Inquiry. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.