Northside Hospital and Tampa Bay Heart InstituteCardiac Transitional Unit (Cardiovascular Step-Down)Founded in 1976, Northside Hospital and Tampa Bay Heart Institute is a 288-bed facility located in the heart of South Pinellas County, Florida. Northside is part of the HCA West Florida Division of Hospitals, a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery and diagnostic imaging facilities, and a complete continuum of specialized healthcare programs that meet the healthcare needs of residents and businesses in West and Central Florida communities. Our parent company, HCA, is the nation's leading provider of healthcare services. The Tampa Bay Heart Institute (TBHI) is a multidisciplinary cardiovascular center located in the heart of Tampa Bay, Florida. Everything about our program is designed with heart patients and their families in mind. Physicians and nurses are achieving some of the best patient outcomes in America, and our heart program is widely known for introducing new cardiac procedures and mastering the latest invasive and non-invasive techniques. Accredited by the National Society of Chest Pain Centers, Northside is committed to ensuring our patients have access to the highest levels of cardiac care available. Our Cardiac Transitional Unit (CTU), part of the TBHI is a 24-bed Cardiovascular Step-Down Unit with 8 private rooms and 8 semi-private rooms, offering exceptional care for the patients we serve.

• Number of Staff: 30
• Skill Mix: RN, LPN, CNA, Student Nurse
• Types of patients: Pre/Post Heart Surgery (24-48 hours post op and stable, transferred from CVICU), Post-Interventional Cardiac Cath, Stabilized MI and related Cardiac Diagnoses.
• Major Equipment Used: GE Telemetry monitors, IV pumps, Dinamaps, Dopplers, MedtronicExternal Pacemakers
• Special Certifications Needed: BLS; ACLS within 6 months of hire
• Special Competencies/Skills Needed: EKG/Telemetry course completed in the past
• Schedules: 12-hour shifts (7-7); Full Time is considered 36 hours per week, including every other weekend
• Dress code: Tasteful scrubs (individual provides their own)
• Designated Charge Nurse/Clinical Coordinator who does not take an assignment unless necessary.
• Complete computerized charting through the Meditech system for patient assessment and care documentation ("charting by exception")
• Bedside Monitors at every bedside and in-room computer charting systems for next-to-patient charting ease
• Electronic medication administration record (eMAR) is used for the delivery of all medications provided to patients
• Unit was just remodeled in August 2006
• Staff schedules: "Self Scheduling" plan sheets are available for the nursing staff with the understanding that some changes may be made to ensure adequate staff coverage for safe patient care. Every other weekend or the equivalent of four weekend shifts in a four week schedule are required. Also offer an every weekend commitment program.

Qualifications

• Current licensure as an RN.
• Current certification as a BLS and ACLS Healthcare Provider through the American Heart Association.
• Must have successfully completed a telemetry training course in the past; prior telemetry/PCU experience with CV/Post Open Heart patients preferred.
• Prior experience working with sheath pulls preferred.
• Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing.
• Customer service abilities including effective listening skills.
• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to perform work that requires frequent standing, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, moving, lifting of patients and/or equipment up to 50 pounds.