Healthcare Traveler - May 2008 - (Page 18)

Cardiac Care says. “This hospital is only about 6 hours away, so I can easily drive home on my days off.” Professionally, Lori has valued the chance to help get a brand-new cardiac unit up and running. The ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute had only recently opened its doors when she first arrived.“It is great for the region’s residents who used to have to travel an hour or so to get to a physician or surgeon,” explains Lori. “Before, if patients suffered a heart attack, they had to be transported to another facility. But not anymore. In the first year, the surgeon conducted more than 200 surgeries.” On duty, Lori assumes patients’ care immediately – Lori Moretti, RN following their open-heart surgeries. “We make sure they are hemodynamically stable, and help manage their pain and blood pressures. If the BP is too high, there is a possibility of patients blowing a graph from their surgery. If it is too low, then we run the risk of kidney failure.” As their status progresses, Lori instructs patients on how to aid in their own recoveries. “Because patients’ respiratory behavior plays a very big part in their recuperation, we teach them about coughing and deep breathing,” she states. “We watch their fluids closely and administer antibiotics. Also, because I work nights, I make sure patients are ready for the morning with their dressings changed, and they are encouraged to get out of bed and sit up in a chair.” Of course, there is always the possibility of an emergency developing, which is when Lori kicks her skills into full-service mode. “My ultimate job is to get patients to the operating room (OR) to address a complication before their chests have to be opened bedside,” she concludes. “The best part of my day, though, is seeing my patients—who have been very, very sick—go home.” Love of learning In 2001, Robert B. Kent, RCIS, fulfilled a lifelong dream of establishing a career in the medical field when he began practicing as a registered cardiovascular invasive specialist (RCIS). “Both my grandma and dad were victims of heart attacks,” he comments. “I wanted to learn more about heart disease and be able to pass on that knowledge to my family.” Robert has almost exclusively served patients in the cardiac catheterization lab. However, after some time as a core staff member, he began sensing a desire for new challenges. “I wanted experiences in other facilities so I could become a more well-rounded specialist,” he says. “And because I was already traveling an hour to my job anyway, I thought I might as well become a full-time traveler.” He made that career switch 3 years ago and has since worked with a handful of staffing agencies, most recently through Irving, Texasbased Med Travelers. Unlike traditional mobile practitioners, Robert tends to extend contracts, turning them into longterm assignments. “Mostly, I base my selections on areas where I have family,” he relates.“I like to spend as much time with them as I can. Fortunately, many facilities offer the option to lengthen assignments.” Thus far, Robert has practiced 21∕2 years in Montgomery, Alabama, and is continuing a multimonth opportunity at Chambersburg Hospital in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. “I have been here for 7 months so far and have extended again, which will take me through summer to September. If I want to, I think there will be another possibility to renew.” The facility has also taken on the challenge of the C-Port study in which the cath lab performs interventional cases without OR backup available on site. “Since this only focuses on a small selection of hospitals, I feel that this is a great opportunity to expand my learning experiences.” Part of the appeal that keeps Robert in his current situation is the fast pace associated with the cath lab. “I work with two cardiologists here who are extremely busy,” he says.“Right now, I am scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but I try to volunteer for as much on-call duty as possible.” Robert keeps busy assessing people both before and after their procedures. He also monitors and assists the physicians. “At this hospital, only nurses circulate—that can differ from one lab to another. What I enjoy the most, though, is getting to know the patients. I am not there to just be a scrub tech, but to develop a rapport while I am looking out for their best interests.” What does he like most about being a traveler? For Robert, it’s all about broadening his knowledgebase. » www.healthcaretraveler.com “The best part of my day is seeing my patients—who have been very, very sick— go home.” By the numbers 652,091 number of deaths in 2005 attributed to heart disease 7 million quantity of cardiovascular procedures performed in 2005 18 Healthcare Traveler May 2008 http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - May 2008

Healthcare Traveler - May 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes Cardiac Care at the Heart of Many Travelers Careers The Current Economy Clinical Tips Drug Update On Assignment Name It When In Advertisers' Index Good for You Tax Facts Big Deals Contest Rules Starter's Kit Going the Distance Tales from the Road Allied Corner Classifieds

Healthcare Traveler - May 2008

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