Location:  Lansdowne, VA

Status:  Full-Time / Non-Exempt

$10,000 Sign-On Bonus

Are you looking for new career opportunities, great wages, excellent benefits, and work-life balance?   Follow your heart to Virginia Heart!

The Nuclear Cardiology Stress Nurse is a registered nurse who provides skilled, compassionate care to patients undergoing cardiac diagnostic testing in Cardiac PET/CT. Working closely with technologists, cardiologists, APPs, and support staff, the nurse supports positive patient outcomes and experiences. After completing training and competency assessments, the nurse performs clinical and administrative duties related to exercise and pharmacologic stress testing, as well as specialized FDG PET preparation, under direct supervision. The role also involves travel to other PET locations for coverage or patient prep, in line with Virginia Heart’s mission of excellence in cardiovascular care.

When you work with Virginia Heart, you will enjoy a dedicated and experienced staff, competitive wages, excellent benefits and the following rewards and incentives:

·         No Nights, weekends, or holidays!

·         Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision plans

·         401(k) Retirement Plan

·         Paid Short-Term Disability

·         Employee Assistance Program for Mental and Physical well-being

·         Three Weeks of Paid Vacation upon eligibility

·         One week of Paid Sick Leave

·         Annual Merit-Based increases

·         Career Advancement Opportunities

·         Employee Referral Bonuses

·         Employee Discount Programs

·         Quarterly Employee Appreciation Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events.

Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients. We are seeking experienced professionals to join our team in our outpatient cardiology setting.  Every employee, at every level, begins their journey at Virginia Heart learning about the history of the organization and its established culture built on trust and integrity. Our employees drive this culture, and we want you to be a part of it. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates general knowledge of cardiac stress testing: treadmill, chemical stress test, nuclear stress test, and other cardiac diagnostic testing.
• Possesses the cognitive skills required to perform stress testing, including knowledge of pathophysiology, appropriate indications/contraindications, protocols, cardiovascular physiology, hemodynamic responses, ECG interpretation, and emergency interventions.
• Escorts patients to and from the diagnostic testing room.
• Maintains awareness of the daily schedule and helps coordinate patient flow.
• Performs focused chart preparation and conducts a patient interview to assess appropriateness for stress testing, notifying the supervising physician, medical director, and/or technical director when clinically indicated.
• Completes paperwork and consent forms in accordance with departmental policy.
• Prepares the monitoring room and patient for pharmacologic stress testing, including assessing baseline ECG, blood pressure, lung auscultation, and oxygen saturation and clearly explaining the procedure.
• Assists Nuclear Medicine Technologist as needed per protocol.
• Starts IVs and administers medications under the supervising physician’s orders.
• Recognizes and responds to arrhythmias, blood pressure changes, or signs of clinical deterioration before, during, and after stress testing.
• Accurately interprets 12-lead ECGs, identifies test endpoints, and determines when to terminate the study.
• Manages unexpected clinical situations with flexibility and sound judgment, delegating responsibilities as appropriate.
• Documents relevant clinical information in the PET/CT reporting system, stress testing software, and electronic health record.
• Serves as liaison between supervising physician and patients, addressing concerns and questions.
• Coordinates with Virginia Heart colleagues at different offices when further cardiac procedures or follow up visits are indicated.
• Will be required to travel to other PET locations for clinical coverage or to assist with patient preparation for FDG cardiac PET studies.
• Prepares patients for FDG cardiac PET/CT studies by:
  • Checking and documenting fasting blood glucose levels.
  • Administer oral or IV glucose and/or insulin under protocol to optimize myocardial suppression.
  • Educate patients on the required high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet to improve imaging quality.
  • Monitor and document metabolic response and communicate with supervising provider regarding any abnormal findings.
  • Collaborates with technologists to ensure patient readiness and adherence to imaging protocols.
• Routinely checks crash cart inventory and ensures medication expiration dates are up to date.
• Responds to emergent clinical situations, including chest pain, arrhythmias, and syncope, and initiates appropriate management including IV medications and resuscitative efforts until a physician arrives.
• May be required to assist with standard office RN duties such as INR management, prescription refills, and In Basket management as needed.
• Educates patients and families about cardiac risk factors and heart health when appropriate.
• Performs clerical and other administrative duties as needed.
• Stocks diagnostic testing rooms and communicates supply needs to program manager.
• Follows all radiation safety and infection control protocols.
• Operates medical equipment safely and wears appropriate radiation badge.
• Maintains and cleans clinical equipment according to manufacturer guidelines.
• Promptly reports equipment issues.
• Annual Radiation Safety Training is required.
• Attendance at training sessions for new processes is required.
• Continuing education is encouraged and supported through internal and external opportunities.
• Demonstrates professionalism and courtesy with patients, providers, and team members.
• Maintains a clean and tidy workstation and clinical space.
• Adheres to the Virginia Heart dress code.
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REQUIREMENTS:

• Current Virginia State Registered Nurse License required.
• Current BLS certification required.
• ACLS required; or must be obtained prior to independently performing stress testing.
• At least 1 year of nursing experience required; cardiology experience preferred; critical care experience highly preferred.
• Prior stress testing experience preferred; if none, must complete competency requirements within 90 days of hire.
• Experience with EHR systems, EPIC preferred.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Sound clinical judgment and ability to manage dynamic patient conditions.
• Experience or comfort with FDG PET/CT patient preparation (glucose/insulin management and dietary education) preferred.
• Must have or obtain Virginia state license from Virginia Department of Health Professions to practice in outpatient setting