Why UnityPoint Health?    

Commitment to our Team – We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.    

Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you matter. Come for a fulfilling career and experience a culture guided by uncompromising values and an unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve.    

Benefits – Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.     

• Caring is what we do, and it starts with our team members: expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program as we support you both personally and professionally.  
• You can only give your best when you feel your best, and we help you live well with dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members to give you peace of mind.   
• We strive to make things easier and more personal in health care to set us apart from the rest, and you can experience that commitment through early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, a tuition reimbursement program designed to help you further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family in the way that works for you.  

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – At UnityPoint Health, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together. Our collective goal is to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected.   

Development – We believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.   

Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.    

Hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work at  https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org 

The RN or Respiratory Therapist assists other department staff to provide exercise training, emotional support and education about lifestyle changes to patients to decrease the risk of events related to cardiac or pulmonary disease processes. Responsibilities include: assessment, creating individualized patient plan of care as well as continuous evaluation of stated goals, initiating cardiac monitoring, providing patient and family eductation, utilizing equipment required in Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab and Wellness, and cleaning/straightening gym/education room/office spaces/nourishment area.

RN Duties: 

Direct Patient Care

• Possesses/exhibits strong EKG rhythm interpretation skills.
• Provides leadership in emergent situations.
• Establishes a climate of mutual respect and trust with patients and families.
• Documents patient status and care given while the patient is in the Cardiopulmonary Rehab Dept.
• Purposefully conducts all aspects of the job in an ethical manner.

Patient Education and Support

• Instructs patients and/or family regarding lifestyle changes, dietary choices and exercise routine and allows time for questions.
• Utilizes visual/teaching aids as needed. Teach-back/Return demonstrations when appropriate.
• Encourages family participation.
• Verbalizes where to find interpreter services.

Safety and Equipment Knowledge

• Assesses the need for any additional safety measures.
• Assists in the cleaning and care of exercise equipment.
• Uses and stores oxygen appropriately including: flow rate, proper fitting of nasal cannula and correct handling of oxygen tanks.
• Verbalizes the appropriate use of exercise equipment.
• Speaks clearly and directly to patients.
• Specialized skills to include, but not limited to, obtaining and interpreting EKG-3 lead, knowledge of common cardiac, pulmonary, and emergency medications, interpretation of rhythms/arrhythmias, telemetry application/use, lab value interpretation, cardiac & pulmonary specific equipment (pacemaker/defibrilators, LVADs, oxygen/portable ventilators, etc.), exercise prescription and progression principles, incision care (CABG, angiogram, transplant, etc.), accurately charge and track unit statistics, & knowledge/practice unit specific policies.

Departmental Support

• Performs and provides nursing support in various roles within the Cardiopulmonary Rehab Department
• Possesses the ability and makes independent decisions based on the knowledge of departmental functions, policies and procedures.
• Promotes the development, preparation, implementation and attainment of departmental goals, policies and projects.
• Communicates with the department supervisors as necessary when problems or unusual circumstances arise and documents as necessary.
• Provides on-call emergency coverage (as defined by departmental policy) for Cardiovascular procedures.

Respiratory Therapist Duties: 

Direct Patient Care

• Performs skin preparation and proper lead placement while initiating cardiac monitoring.
• Ensures patient privacy.
• Obtains vital signs and documents in appropriate location.
• Observes/promotes religious/cultural beliefs of others.
• Establishes a climate of mutual respect and trust.

Patient Education & Support

• Observes ways to increase patient’s function and self-care skills.
• Coaches patients as they perform exercise activities.
• Informs patients of their rights and responsibilities.
• Uses appropriate communication skills & adult learning strategies.
• Involves patient/family in teaching/care.

Safety and Equipment Knowledge

• Uses and stores oxygen appropriately including: flow rate, proper fitting of nasal cannula and correct handling of oxygen tanks.
• Assesses need for additional safety measures.
• Assists in cleaning and care of exercise equipment.
• Verbalizes the appropriate use of exercise equipment.

Quality Improvement

• Participates in departmental validations.
• Completes annual hospital competencies and computerized learning modules within specific timeline
• Aligns with guidelines provided by the AACVPR Accreditation (American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation).
• Attends monthly staff meetings.

RN: 

• Education: Graduated of an accredited Nursing Program with an Associate's Degree in Nursing. Must obtain BSN within 5 years of hire. 
• Experience: Prefer at least one (1) year of hospital clinical experience or demonstrated clinical efficiency, but not required. 
• Licensure: 
  • Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa. 
  • Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or withing 90 days of employment. 
  • ACLS certified within 1 year of successful completion of Basic Dysrhythmia. 

Respiratory Therapist: 

• Education: Associate Degree from an accredited Respiratory Therapy Education Program.
• Experience: Prefer one (1) year of hopsital clinical experience or demonstrated clinical efficiency, but not required. 
• Licensure: 
  • Current Respiratory Therapy-Registered licensure with the Iowa Department of Public Health. 
  • Registered Respiratory Therapist with the National Board of Respiratory Care. 
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) or completion within 90 days of employment.