East Alabama Medical Center

East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) in Opelika, AL is looking to fill 2 RN positions in the Cath Lab **$5,000 sign on bonus available**  For more than 30 years, EAMC has provided a full range of heart services to patients through East Alabama and West Georgia. Our Cardiovascular program continues to grow with the addition of EP in the Fall of 2018 and we will start a TAVR program within the next 12 months.  We provide cardiac support with the utilization of Impella, IABP, and ECMO.  We have a growing PE program where we utilize the Inari device and EKOS to care for these type patients.  We are working on becoming a referral center for PEs.  The heart program began in 1985 when Dr. John Mitchell performed the hospital’s first heart catheterization procedure. Two years later, in September 1987, Mr. Bobby Sizemore was the hospital’s first open-heart surgery patient.  Drs. David Cleveland and John Garrett performed the procedure on Sizemore, who was an EAMC Engineering employee and who installed some of the equipment in the cardiovascular operating room (CVOR). EAMC’s heart program has progressed over the years and earned several awards since its inception.   Job Summary: The Cardiac Cath Lab is where our cardiologists perform angioplasties, implants pacemakers and diagnoses cardiac conditions with an invasive catheterization procedure. As a Cath Lab nurse, a registered nurse assists the physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac conditions. Patient Assessment and Preparation: Registered Nurses who work in a Cardiac Catheter Laboratory assist physicians with patient assessments. Cardiac Cath Lab nurses prepare patients for catheterization, angioplasty, pacemaker implantation and cardiac procedures. Preparation of patients can include taking the patient's vital signs, oxygen levels and heart rhythm before the physician examines the patient. Registered Nurses ensure the patient’s chart and records are updated. A Cardiac Cath Lab nurse may begin an intravenous line while preparing patients for a catheterization or other cardiac procedures. Nurses help ease the patient's fear and answer questions regarding the cardiac procedure. Cath Lab nurses obtain patient consent for cardiac procedures. Assisting Physicians: The nurse closely monitors the patient's vital signs during the procedure. Patients may be awake during the procedure, which requires the Cardiac Cath Lab nurse to help keep them calm and reassured. Registered Nurses administer medication according to the physician’s instructions before, during and after cardiac procedures. In addition to scheduled procedures in the Cardiac Cath Lab, Registered Nurses must assist during emergencies and perform lifesaving procedures. After-Procedure Care: Patients recover from cardiac procedures in the recovery area of the Cath Lab. Cath Lab nurses monitor patients during their recovery in the Cardiac Cath Lab, monitoring the patient's vital signs, administering medications and updating the patient’s chart. During the recovery period, the Cath Lab nurse watches for signs of infection or side effects from the procedure. Nurses must be prepared to administer treatment if patients experience excessive bleeding, fever or other side effects from the cardiac procedure. Patient and Family Education: Registered nurses provide instructions and education to patients and their families before discharge from the Cardiac Cath Lab. Education and instruction can include information on medications, nutrition and care of a surgical site.