[italianrn07]

Hi all, I saw a job posting for a Pacemaker RN at a clinic. Does anyone know what this RN would do or if it is a interesting job? Thanks.

[ghillbert]

Probably interrogating/programming pacemakers/ICDs.

Like anything, I imagine such a specialized job would be interesting and you'd learn a lot, but I don't know that i could do it for a long time.

[Dinith88]

Originally Posted by italianrn07

Hi all, I saw a job posting for a Pacemaker RN at a clinic. Does anyone know what this RN would do or if it is a interesting job? Thanks.

Look into Electrophysiology clinicians/RNs. These are the pacemaker specialists...they help insert them...they work with EP-docs...they work at EP clinics (for people with pacemakers, etc)...

An EP nurse is the the nursing counter-part of the Electrophysiologist doctor.

In plain english...

[snoboard]

A device nurse like the previous post is kinda the handy-man for say of the EP doctor - the nurse specializes in knowing the types of devices, how they are implanted, types of leads implanted into the heart, what type of device is used for type of dx i.e sick sinus syndrome, if a patient needs resynchronization due to HF sxs etc for 2 examples - they usually become trained in how to read device settings and how to change the device settings to better the patient based on if they are symptomatic with high/lower hr's, if they are being shocked more often for say VT, etc. - its actually an interesting field hope that helps

[bullseye]

you will be responsible with helping with the insertion and troubleshooting pacemaker, you would be working in an ep lab

[dianah]

The posting was for a clinic, OP didn't mention EP lab . . ? ?

italianrn07, did you contact the clinic to inquire about the job description and requirements, as well as the nursing duties?

At our hospital we have an EP nurse who runs the clinic, following pts with pacemakers and ICDs and referring pts who need the units placed.
Vendor reps attend the clinics (each vendor has a day for their clinic), are available for consultation, interrogating and interpreting the data.
We in the Cath Lab set up and scrub in on the pacemakers and ICDs but the EP MD and the Fellows actually choose and place the leads.
We always have a rep. from the vendor in the room, for prn assistance and for testing the leads and unit.

Previous place of employment was the same: RNs scrubbed in on pacers to help hand instruments, assist the MD and maintain the sterile field, while another RN sedated and monitored the pt.
The MDs followed the pts in clinic.

Good luck!