Description
Deliver specialized critical cardiac nursing care to patients with acute coronary syndromes, advanced heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiogenic shock in the Cardiac Care Unit, providing advanced monitoring, timely interventions, and coordinated multidisciplinary care.
- • Identify age-specific cardiac care needs and tailor plans accordingly.
- • Perform continuous ECG and invasive hemodynamic monitoring (arterial line, CVP/PA catheter).
- • Recognize ischemia and life-threatening arrhythmias and initiate ACLS protocols.
- • Titrate vasoactive, antiarrhythmic, sedative, and analgesic infusions per protocols and patient response.
- • Administer anticoagulants, antiplatelets, diuretics, and other cardiac medications safely.
- • Acquire and interpret 12-lead ECGs; trend ST segments and QTc.
- • Evaluate vital signs, cardiac biomarkers, and electrolytes to determine urgent interventions.
- • Manage post-PCI, ablation, TAVR, or device-implant patients; monitor access sites and hemostasis.
- • Perform or assist with vascular sheath management and bleeding prevention per policy.
- • Care for temporary pacemakers and external pacing; assess capture, sensing, and thresholds.
- • Assist with synchronized cardioversion, defibrillation, and transcutaneous pacing.
- • Manage mechanical circulatory support (e.g., IABP, Impella) and respond to device alarms.
- • Conduct pulmonary assessments; manage oxygen therapy and ventilator support as needed.
- • Monitor fluid balance, daily weights, and urine output; optimize diuresis for heart failure.
- • Detect and treat complications such as cardiogenic shock, tamponade, and pulmonary edema; escalate care promptly.
- • Perform approved bedside therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based on clinical status.
- • Collect specimens and trend labs, including troponin, BNP, lactate, and coagulation studies.
- • Administer blood products and monitor for transfusion reactions.
- • Compile and analyze data from monitors and tests to guide cardiac care plans.
- • Assess pain, anxiety, and sedation needs; prevent and manage delirium.
- • Provide patient and family education on cardiac conditions, procedures, medications, and lifestyle changes.
- • Advocate for patients and provide emotional support during acute cardiac events.
- • Collaborate with cardiology, intensivists, cath lab, EP, and interdisciplinary teams to develop and revise care plans.
- • Document histories, assessments, rhythms, interventions, responses, and plan revisions in the medical record.
- • Identify nutritional risks; support heart-healthy diet and fluid/sodium restrictions.
- • Participate in STEMI, chest pain, and rapid response workflows to meet time-sensitive metrics.
- • Ensure defibrillators, monitors, infusion pumps, and support devices are checked, stored, and functioning.
- • Identify and report malfunctioning equipment and safety concerns.
- • Assess family coping and coordinate patient care conferences as needed.
- • Participate in protocol development, quality improvement (e.g., door-to-balloon, CLABSI/CAUTI prevention), and continuing education.
- • Supervise and mentor unit nursing staff and support personnel.
- • Provide post-mortem care when required.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Healthcare & Human Services
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
