Job Description

Definition of Position:

The Interventional Radiology/Cardiology RN provides specialized nursing care to patients undergoing invasive interventional procedures such as angiography, embolization, cardiac catheterization, and other minimally invasive interventions. This role works collaboratively with physicians and the interdisciplinary team to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care. He/she works to ensure provision of quality care of interventional/surgical patients through utilization of the nursing process, established standards of care, policies and procedures. The Interventional RN acts as the patient advocate and is responsible for the direction and supervision of any personnel assigned to him/her. He/she may be on call for the Interventional Unit as the need arises. The RN is responsible to the Unit Nurse Manager, House Supervisor, or RN Team Leader.

Essential Job Functions:

Perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure

o Nursing/Circulator Role

Administer medications as ordered, including anticoagulants, vasoactive agents, contrast, and emergency drugs.

Maintain sterile technique and assist with procedures as needed.

Act as patient advocate and anticipate needs of the interventionalist.

Recognize and respond rapidly to complications (e.g., arrhythmia, bleeding, reaction to contrast, stroke alerts, cardiac arrest).

Contrast Allergy Management Collaboration

Works collaboratively with Rad Tech and physicians to identify and address contrast allergies or sensitivities.

Participates in pre-procedure discussions regarding appropriate contrast agents (e.g., switching to iso-osmolar).

Ensures allergy considerations are communicated during the timeout.

o Moderate Sedation Role

When assigned, the RN monitoring the patient for moderate sedation may not engage in tasks that would compromise continual assessment.

Verifies ASA classification and consults anesthesia for an ASA score of IV or greater.

Provide moderate sedation per protocol and monitors vital signs, hemodynamics, oxygenation, ventilation, level of consciousness, and responses.

Provides appropriate nursing interventions for complications.

o Scrub Role

When assigned, functions as the scrub technologist using sterile techniques to assist physicians during interventional and catheter-based procedures.

Prepares and organizes sterile instruments, guidewires, catheters, sheaths, embolic materials, and procedural trays.

Anticipates physician needs and responds quickly and accurately during critical moments.

Demonstrates familiarity with vascular anatomy, device sizing, catheter selection, and table-side procedural flow.

Actively communicate with monitor person to ensure procedure activities and times are documented

o Monitor Role (Hemodynamic & Procedural Monitoring)

When assigned, functions as the primary monitor technologist, recording hemodynamic data, pressures, and procedural events.

Ensures allergy considerations are communicated during the timeout and reflected in procedural documentation.

Operates and troubleshoots physiological monitoring systems (e.g., hemodynamic recorders, ECG, oxygen saturation).

Documents all supplies used, implants, contrast usage, and procedural details accurately.

Communicates real-time findings to the procedural team, ensuring accurate documentation of events, medications, and device deployment.

o Support to the Team

Peri-Procedure

Assists with patient preparation, patient positioning, connecting monitoring equipment and equipment placement.

In collaboration with the clinical team, verify allergies, NPO status, renal function, and other relevant clinical factors.

Performs patient identification, procedure verification, and timeout processes in accordance with institutional policy.

Perform sheath pulls and vascular access management as needed.

o Department Support

Assist with managing supplies and par levels, restocking room, tracking expiration dates, rotating stock, and receiving, unpacking, labeling, and shelving incoming inventory.

Assist with room turnover efficiency by assisting with post procedure cleanup such as sharps and biohazard materials disposal according to policy and preparing the room for the next case (restocking, setting up basic items, checking lead availability).

Assist with ensuring devices are cleaned, charged, and stored properly (e.g., ultrasound, IVUS, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education:

Required: Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing. Evidence of continuing education appropriate for skill level and area of practice.

Desired: BSN

B. Experience:

Required: At least one years experience in critical care, emergency, cath lab, or IR.

Desired: At least three years of experience in Interventional Radiology or Cath Lab, conscious sedation training, monitor role experience.

C. Licenses, Certifications, and/or Registrations:

Current RN license in the State of Oregon ; current BLS, ACLS certification; Certifications specific to areas of clinical specialty preferred (e.g., RCIS, NIH Stroke Scale), IV certification.

D. Equipment/Tools/Work Aids:

Infusion pumps, PCA pumps, and other medical equipment, computer, printer, photocopier, and patient charts.

E. Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

Ability to provide care for the patient's age-specific, cultural, physical, and psychosocial wellbeing.

F. Other:

Bilingual and/or English-Spanish speaking preferred. Ability to work with culturally diverse population.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs