Job Purpose
The Specialist Nurse, Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is a highly skilled and experienced registered nurse dedicated to providing critical care to patients with acute cardiac conditions. This role requires a deep understanding of cardiovascular physiology, acute cardiac interventions, and advanced life support. The Specialist Nurse CCU plays a crucial role in stabilizing patients, minimizing complications, and optimizing patient outcomes within the CCU.
Core Responsibilities
Patient Assessment and Clinical Care Delivery
- Provide expert nursing care for patients with cardiac conditions, including assessment, monitoring, and management of acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, arrhythmias, post-cardiac surgery, and other cardiovascular disorders.
- Initiate and administer medications (including IV drugs), anticoagulants, and other treatments as per AMCE’s protocols and patient needs.
- Monitor and interpret cardiac rhythms, and intervene as necessary, including defibrillation, cardioversion, or other emergency interventions.
- Conduct regular physical assessments, monitor vital signs, oxygen saturation, and laboratory values, ensuring early recognition and management of deterioration.
- Manage invasive monitoring techniques such as central venous pressure (CVP), arterial lines, and intra-arterial monitoring.
- Provide post-operative care for cardiac surgery patients, ensuring effective pain management, wound care, and rehabilitation.
- Implement and monitor non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and invasive mechanical ventilation in patients as required.
Emergency Response
- Respond to medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, acute arrhythmias, or other life-threatening conditions, taking leadership in resuscitation efforts, implementing advanced life support (ALS), and managing critical care situations.
- Administer and interpret diagnostic tests, including 12-lead ECG, chest X-ray, and laboratory results, ensuring timely interventions.
Patient and Family Education
- Educate patients and their families on managing heart disease, including lifestyle changes, medication adherence, risk factor modification, and the importance of ongoing follow-up care.
- Provide emotional support to patients and families, addressing concerns related to diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery.
Safety and Compliance
- Ensure adherence to AMCE health and safety policies, including the safe handling of medications, equipment, and patient safety protocols.
- Follow infection control procedures to minimize the risk of hospital-acquired infections and ensure patient safety.
- Actively participate in the development and implementation of clinical guidelines and protocols to ensure best practice and safe care delivery.
Quality Improvement
- Participate in regular audits, quality assurance activities, and evidence-based research to continually improve service delivery and patient outcomes.
- Identify opportunities for improvement in patient care and contribute to the development of solutions and action plans.
Training and Professional Development
- Engage in ongoing education and professional development, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of advances in cardiovascular care, cardiac nursing, and critical care.
- Contribute to the orientation, education, and development of new staff within the Coronary Care Unit.
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSc Nursing) or equivalent from a recognized institution.
- Advanced training in in Cardiovascular or Critical Care Nursing (or equivalent) is an advantage.
Professional Requirements
- Valid nursing license
- Membership in relevant medical associations
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalent certification, with proven skills in advanced life support
Experience Requirements
- Minimum of 3-5 years of nursing experience in a Cardiac Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit or similar critical care setting with a focus on cardiovascular nursing
- Direct experience in managing acute cardiac conditions such as Acute myocardial infarction (MI), Heart failure (Acute and chronic), post-cardia surgery recovery, acute and chronic respiratory failure in cardiac patients
- Experience with invasive monitoring techniques such as Central venous pressure (CVP), arterial line insertion and management, etc.
Knowledge Requirements
- In-depth knowledge of the cardiovascular system, including cardiac anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology.
- Knowledge of and experience with cardiac diagnostic equipment and techniques, including ECG interpretation.
- A deep understanding of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols and procedures.
- Comprehensive knowledge of medications used in cardiac care, including vasoactive drugs, antiarrhythmics, and anticoagulants.
- Ability to interpret hemodynamic parameters and make informed clinical decisions.
- Proficiency in interpreting ECG rhythms and identifying arrhythmias.
- A solid foundation in critical care nursing principles, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Knowledge of current evidence-based practices in cardiac care.
Skill Requirements
- Strong clinical skills, including advanced cardiac assessment, hemodynamic monitoring, and medication administration
- Effective communication skills to interact with patients, families, and healthcare team members
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform effectively in sensitive situations.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Proficiency in patient assessment and critical-thinking abilities to prioritize patient safety
- Strong collaborative skills to work seamlessly within a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment
- Good leadership skills to mentor junior staff and take initiative
Personal Abilities
- Professional attitude towards work
- Shares the AMCE’s vision
- Proactive and organized
- Commitment to clinical governance / improving quality of patient care
- Has personal and professional credibility and commands the respect of colleagues and peers
- Supportive and approachable and capable of inspiring confidence in staff members
- Ability to manage stress and maintain composure in high-pressure situations
- High attention to detail
- Openness to new ideas and continuous improvement
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- High levels of honesty and integrity
- Empathy and compassion for patients, with a focus on delivering patient-centred care
African Medical Centre of Excellence, Abuja (AMCE Abuja) aims to be an Employer of Choice, providing equal opportunity for everyone regardless of their background, gender, race and other protected characteristics.
