The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing safe, high-quality nursing care throughout the patient's procedural experience, including pre-procedure assessment, moderate sedation, intra-procedure monitoring, post-anesthesia recovery, discharge, and follow-up care. The RN collaborates with physicians and the clinical team to ensure exceptional patient outcomes in a fast-paced outpatient Interventional Radiology setting.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Perform comprehensive pre-procedure patient assessments, including review of medical history, medications, allergies, laboratory results, and physician orders.
Complete pre-operative phone calls to review procedure instructions, NPO status, medication management, transportation requirements, and answer patient questions.
Verify all required documentation, consents, laboratory results, and imaging before procedures.
Prepare patients for interventional radiology procedures and provide education regarding the procedure and recovery process.
Assist physicians during interventional radiology procedures while maintaining sterile technique.
Administer and monitor moderate (conscious) sedation according to physician orders, facility policies, and Virginia nursing standards.
Continuously monitor patients' cardiac rhythm, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, respiratory status, and level of consciousness during procedures.
Recognize and respond appropriately to patient emergencies and sedation-related complications.
Recover patients following procedures, monitor until discharge criteria are met, and provide discharge instructions to patients and caregivers.
Conduct post-procedure follow-up phone calls to assess recovery, pain control, medication compliance, wound care, and identify any complications.
Communicate patient concerns or abnormal findings promptly to the physician and document all communications in the electronic medical record (EMR).
Administer medications, IV therapy, and emergency medications as prescribed.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation.
Collaborate effectively with physicians, radiologic technologists, medical assistants, and administrative staff to ensure efficient patient care.
Maintain procedure rooms, emergency equipment, medications, and clinical supplies.
Comply with HIPAA, OSHA, infection prevention, radiation safety, and all applicable regulatory standards.
Cross-train and assist in the pre-op, procedure, and recovery areas as needed to support daily operations.
Qualifications
Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Current BLS certification.
Current ACLS certification (required).
Experience administering and monitoring moderate (conscious) sedation.
Minimum of one year of nursing experience preferred.
Previous experience in Interventional Radiology, Cath Lab, PACU, Emergency Department, ICU, or another procedural setting is strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of moderate sedation medications, monitoring, and emergency interventions.
Strong assessment, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making skills.
Ability to recognize and respond quickly to changes in patient condition.
Excellent communication and patient education skills.
Strong organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR).
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and assist patients throughout the workday.
Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including lead protection during fluoroscopic procedures.
Work Schedule
Full-time, Monday through Friday.
Day shift.
No weekends, holidays, or routine on-call responsibilities unless required by business needs.