Austin, Texas is home to one of the highest performing cardiovascular facilities in the nation – Heart Hospital of Austin. Our team of professionals has made us the #1 Cardiac Program in Texas for six consecutive years as ranked by HealthGrades. Additionally, Heart Hospital of Austin has been named one of the Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals in the nation by Truven Health Analytics for seven years. Our exceptional clinical outcomes have allowed us to be the first in Texas to implement new procedures and technologies. Our Pathway to Excellence-designated facility is a nurse-friendly organization promoting evidence-based practice and professional growth. The facility boasts two hybrid operating rooms, five OR suites, three catheterization labs and two electrophysiology labs - all equipped with leading-edge technology and highly-specialized personnel. Heart Hospital of Austin is one of the largest non-academic cardiovascular research sites in the world conducting up to 30 research studies simultaneously. Our small 58-bed hospital offers a family-like atmosphere while remaining the largest cardiothoracic program in Central Texas.
Primary Duties
1. Patient Care
- Completes admission assessment and periodic reassessments according to patient's progress and/or unit protocols and age-specific parameters.
- Documents findings and communicates all pertinent information to interdisciplinary team members as appropriate.
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members in the development, evaluation, and revision of the plan of care as appropriate to meet the patient's needs and goals.
- Provides competent direct care and ensures the provision of a safe and comforting environment resulting in a high level of patient satisfaction.
- Assists healthcare team members in the understanding of hospital policies and procedures.
- Provides education to patients/families/significant others, incorporating age-specific criteria and assessment of readiness to learn.
- Maintains patient confidentiality.
- Maintains standard precautions.
- Administers medications and completes treatments according to hospital policy and within age-specific parameters.
- Maintains all necessary documentation.
- Facilitates discharge plan in collaboration with interdisciplinary team.
- Demonstrates knowledge and ability to use necessary patient care equipment.
- Coordinates response of the interdisciplinary team to emergency situations.
- Performs Point of Care procedures in a timely manner according to established policy and procedure. Documents required information and complies with all Point of Care quality control standards.
2. Staff/Unit Responsibilities
- Delegates appropriately to non-licensed staff in accordance with job descriptions, license requirements, and standards of practice.
- Utilizes resources in an efficient and cost effective manner.
- Participates in developing other staff and affiliating students.
- Maintains and develops own professional competencies.
- Maintains unit-based competencies.
- Maintains and promotes a team spirit through active cooperation and collaboration.
- Assists in interdepartmental service coordination.
- Actively participates in the Performance Improvement and Utilization Review program.
- Assumes a leadership role in the maintenance of the patient-focused care delivery system.
- Assists in directing and guiding staff in the coordination of unit operations.
- Supports the multi-skilled worker environment (i.e., cross training).
- Demonstrates willingness to assist other areas of the hospital as needed.
- Cross-trains and willingly works in other areas of the hospital accepting assignments within competency level.
- Effectively applies prioritization and time management to patient's care.
- Assists in all aspects of care in the environment.
- Adheres to all policy and procedures.
- Ensures that a patient has a signed consent present in the chart prior to procedure.
Qualifications/Specifications
Education: Graduate of a nursing program.
Licensure/Certification: Registered Nurse with current state licensure or licensure from a state within the Nursing Compact. BLS certification required within 30 days of hire. Successful completion of AHA approved course in ACLS within three months of employment required for all nursing areas except Executive Wellness and OR. ACLS preferred for OR and Executive Wellness nurses who cross train into other nursing areas. PALS or ENPC certification required for Emergency Room nurses within six months of employment.
Experience: Minimum of one-year adult, acute care with cardiology/cardiovascular nursing preferred.
Compensation commensurate with experience with compensation range between $24.91-$37.81/hr.
* Shift 2 is $1.90, Shift 3 is $3, and Shift 3/blended is $2.65. Weekends are $2, on call is $2, charge is $1. (Shift 2/shift 3) shift differential on top of the weekend shift differential if they work nights. Therefore, at HHA, a nurse would get the following shift differentials:
1) Hired for days 6am-6pm
- If work weekends then payment is as follows:
- 7a-7p: hourly rate + $2.00 weekend differential. Please note that although our shifts at HHA start at 6am, the differential doesn’t start paying until 7a, which is the observed SDH shift start.
2) Hired for nights 6p-6a
- 7p-7a: hourly rate + $2.00 weekend differential + $2.65 blended shift diff. Therefore, total shift differential for the weekend night staff is $4.65/hr. As above, although our shift starts at 6p, the differential starts paying at 7pm*
