Registered Nurse (RN) PRN (32867)

Job Summary

The PRN Interventional Radiology (IR) Sedation Registered Nurse provides specialized nursing care for patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic interventional radiology procedures requiring moderate (conscious) sedation. The PRN RN is responsible for pre-procedure assessment, intra-procedural sedation administration and hemodynamic monitoring, and post-procedure recovery and discharge education. As a professional caregiver, the PRN RN ensures patient safety, comfort, and compliance with clinical standards on an as-needed basis to support department staffing and procedural volume.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Duties

1. Procedural Preparation & Clinical Workflow

• Prepare the procedure room and patient bays in strict compliance with facility policies, accreditation standards, and state/federal healthcare regulations.

• Review and print the daily procedural schedule and pre-operative call templates.

• Check in patients, verify patient identity, confirm procedure and consent, answer questions, and address patient/family concerns to alleviate anxiety.

• Stock the nursing carts, procedural supplies, oxygen delivery devices, EKG leads, and relevant consumables for the day's caseload.

• Scan supplies and items utilized during procedures into the inventory management system to ensure accurate billing and inventory control.

2. Moderate Sedation & Intra-Procedural Monitoring

• Establish and maintain peripheral IV access; verify patency and manage fluid administration.

• Administer prescribed medications-including pre-medications, moderate sedation agents, reversals, and analgesics-in accordance with physician orders and facility protocols.

• Continuously assess and monitor vital signs throughout procedures (blood pressure, EKG/cardiac rhythm, SpO, respiratory rate, and capnography/EtCO where applicable).

• Maintain continuous airway assessment, identify signs of airway compromise or respiratory depression, and intervene immediately as necessary.

3. Controlled Substances & Safety Compliance

• Perform dual-sign-off narcotic counts at the start and end of each shift.

• Securely transport narcotics to/from the procedure room and lockbox.

• Accurately document all dispensed, administered, and wasted controlled substances according to regulatory guidelines.

• Oversee and verify emergency equipment readiness, including daily automated external defibrillator (AED) checks, crash cart checks, and expired medication logs.

• Maintain strict adherence to HIPAA standards regarding protected health information (PHI) and patient confidentiality.

4. Post-Procedure Recovery, Hand-Off & Follow-Up

• Safely transfer post-sedation patients from the procedure room to the recovery/holding area.

• Reconnect patients to telemetry/monitors, obtain baseline recovery vitals, and provide a comprehensive clinical hand-off to the receiving Medical Assistant or recovery nurse; complete sign-off on transfer documentation.

• Conduct post-operative follow-up telephone calls to check patient recovery status, provide post-care reinforcement, and dictate/document findings into the electronic health record (EHR).

5. Department Support & Quality Assurance

• Assist with monthly inventory checks, removing outdated supplies/medications and restocking as required.

• Mentor, orient, and train new registered nurses and medical assistants when assigned.

• Adapt flexibly to shifting daily schedules, case additions, and unit needs during scheduled PRN shifts.

PRN Expectations & Availability

• Available to work on an as-needed (PRN) basis to cover scheduled procedures, peak volume days, vacations, or sick leave.

• Demonstrates the ability to quickly integrate into the department workflow and perform independently with minimal orientation.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Licensure:

• Education: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

• Licensure: Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice (or compact state licensure).

Certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association (AHA) required.

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association (AHA) required.

• Conscious/Moderate Sedation certification or competency documentation preferred.

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) (if facility treats pediatric patients).

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum 1-2 years of RN experience in Interventional Radiology, Cath Lab, Endoscopy, PACU, Emergency Department, or ICU setting.

• Proven proficiency in IV access, moderate sedation administration, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and emergency airway management.

• Strong communication, critical thinking, and collaborative skills.