Mechanical Circulatory Support Nurse

Where You’ll Work

CHI St Vincent Infirmary is a 600 bed faith-based, non-profit, acute care facility providing quality health care to patients and communities from all over the State of Arkansas. Our level II trauma center is a regional referral center for cardiology, trauma, behavioral health, cancer care, neurosciences, and other specialties. We have been consistently named by US News & World Report as one of the State’s best hospitals, with high performance in heart care, colorectal surgery, and joint replacement. 

If you are committed to social justice, health equity, and prepared to deliver care in new, innovative ways, you belong with us. 

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Mechanical Circulatory Support Nurse at CHI St Vincent Infirmary,  you’ll monitor patients who are critically ill and unstable following extensive injury, surgery, or life-threatening disease. You’ll provide continued care and perform procedures as detailed in the care plan. CVICU Nurses deliver care to patients in critical condition who are suffering heart problems. These patients are often coming out of cardiac surgery and require a very specialized level of care. 

To thrive in this role, you’ll heavily depend on your ability to multitask and react. You’ll clinically care for your patients- remaining focused and attentive as you continuously monitor your patients throughout your shift. You also serve as their advocate- supporting their best interests when they cannot. However, your sound judgment during an emergency and rapid response are impressive, putting you on the radar for advancement.

• Proficiently cares for and assists in the patient and MCS device in which the patient is currently on. 
• Proficiently performs safety checks on MCS devices and understands the appropriate steps when an unexpected or emergency situation occurs. 
• Monitors pump functioning throughout patient therapy and maintains pump integrity; monitors circuit volume and administers products, medications and/or volumes as ordered; monitors anticoagulation, electrolyte acid-base balance and blood gas composition volumes and adjusts MCS device to maintain physician orders. 
• With the MCS coordinator, Intensivist APRN  or perfusion sets up and primes ECMO circuits; initiates and maintains extracorporeal life support according to protocols. 
• With the MCS coordinator, Intensivist APRN or perfusion assists with logistics of cannulation, decannulation, and in-house transport of patients on MCS. 
• With the MCS Coordinator, Intensivist APRN and perfusion department manages planned and emergent disruption of MCS. Assists with the replacement of components under normal and emergent conditions. 
• Proficiently and Safely recovers and takes care of open heart surgeries, vascular and thoracic surgeries 

Job Requirements

• Active RN license to practice in the state of Arkansas 
• 1 year of experience as an RN/Charge RN in a CVICU/MCS setting
• Must be competent in the following roles: charge nurse & preceptor must be proficient in the following device/surgeries: ECMO, LVAD, impella, CRRT, IABP, swan ganz, and recovery of open heart surgery 
• BLS through the American Heart Association is required 
• ACLS through the American Heart Association is required