Interventional radiology on call schedule

[krystin954]

I am looking for examples and current policies regarding interventional radiology nursing on call schedule. Our department is currently going through a change in our call schedule and we are struggling to come up with something that will be approved by management. We have three IR rooms, have separate neuro and vascular call teams off hours. We are staffed with 7 nurses. It is a 600 bed level 1 trauma, comprehensive stroke center and teaching facility so we do have high volumes. Looking for a similar type institution and examples. Policies would be extremely helpful if you have access to them. How does your department handle having rest periods in between periods of on call (such as the weekends). And how are you reimbursed? Do you have to use your own pto?

thank you in advance for your input

[RNtoOutdoors]

Only 7 nurses? Does your IR do their own pre-op and recovery?

The IR dept I am currently a traveler at is adding neuro, so they are also struggling to address call scheduling, as well as shortening their call back time, thereby possibly having nurses stay overnight at the hospital. What a challenge!

I do not take call, so I don't know the particulars of what they've come up with so far. Good luck with your search!

[Duranie]

The only comment I have is: why would it ever be right to make an employee use their pto as a part of the on-call schedule?

I must be missing something .... because pto is something you've earned, and having to use it in the course of normal scheduling for call or otherwise makes no sense to me. It's there to allow the employee the flexibility to have time off in addition to their regular days off, for whatever they need it for, and not have to worry about if they can afford to take a day off or whatever. I'd be ___ed if my employer wanted me to use it as regular time off.

[StephPghRN]

As nurses we are responsible for picking our own call. The majority of us try to pick days we are off the next day during the week. If we work the next day we come in and work as long as we can or come in late. We are responsible for covering from 7pm until 7am. On the weekends we cover 7am until 7pm and then a different nurse covers 7pm until 7am. We then have a third nurse who is the second call team who is for dire emergencies only like strokes or GI bleed if the first call team is already being utilized. They cover 24 hours Sat and Sunday only.

[caffinatednurse93]

What does a interventional radiology nurse do? What are their specific roles?

[RNtoOutdoors]

Here's a pretty basic description:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10139086

Honestly, some days, I feel like more than 50% of my time at work is spent answering phone calls and and trying to direct the flow of information and communication. Many people, doctors included, still do not fully understand what IR is and what we do.

As an IR RN, I screen patients to see if they are appropriate candidates for conscious sedation or anesthesia, or if the procedure ordered is even the right one! Depending on the department (I've worked in several IRs), the RN could be the one transporting patients. There may be a pre/post recovery area, or the patients could go to PACU, or be recovered by the IR RN.

IR RN's often have to wear lead, and help perform procedures in IR, CT, US, MRI and NM. There is usually call involved. The work flow is usually highly dynamic; routine cases could be "bumped" at any time if an emergent case comes up. It requires high attention to detail and a high level of flexibility. You have to be able to delegate and also do the grunt work if the situation requires it. It's rewarding, but not for everyone!