IRL Staff Nurse, General Cardiology - UI Heart and Vascular Center

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: IRL Staff Nurse, General Cardiology - UI Heart and Vascular Center

Company: University of Iowa

Location: Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Job Type: Full-time, Regular

Category: Healthcare - Nursing

Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is for a dedicated Staff Nurse specializing in General Cardiology within the UI Heart and Vascular Center (HVC).

• The position focuses on providing direct patient care in an outpatient/ambulatory setting, emphasizing patient assessment, care plan development, and implementation of nursing interventions.

• Key responsibilities include patient intake, vital sign monitoring, medication and allergy charting, and performing minor procedures like suture removal and wound dressing.

• The role requires strong interdisciplinary collaboration to coordinate patient care across various settings and to support effective discharge planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for an outpatient clinic setting within a major academic medical center, focusing on general cardiology patients. The emphasis on "No Nights, Weekends or Holidays!" is a significant perk that should be highlighted, indicating a structured Monday-Friday work schedule with defined hours.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide direct clinical nursing care within the UI Heart and Vascular (HVC) outpatient/ambulatory team.

• Conduct patient intake, monitor vital signs, and accurately chart current medications and allergies.

• Perform procedures such as suture removal and wound dressing changes as per protocol.

• Apply nursing theory to assess patient health care needs, diagnose responses to illness, and develop comprehensive care plans.

• Implement patient care plans, documenting interventions and patient/family responses.

• Coordinate the continuum of care across different settings, collaborating with other services to schedule diagnostic tests and medical clearances.

• Develop and implement patient transfer and discharge planning throughout the episode of care.

• Maintain patient safety by adhering to universal precautions and departmental policies, procedures, and protocols.

• Maintain competency with special equipment, medications, and procedures common to the cardiology patient population.

• Collaborate and integrate patient and family contributions into the multidisciplinary care plan.

• Provide patient and/or caregiver counseling as needed.

• Serve as a clinical preceptor for new nursing staff and/or agency staff.

• Provide clinical care and cross-coverage to all HVC locations (main campus, Iowa River Landing, and/or outreach sites) as required.

• Adhere to and support departmental standards and practice guidelines.

• Demonstrate professional behavior, pride in work, flexibility, and appropriate appearance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of direct patient care, procedural skills, care coordination, and educational/mentorship duties. The cross-coverage requirement across multiple HVC locations indicates a need for adaptability and strong organizational skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• An Associate’s Degree in Nursing, a Diploma in Nursing, a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN), Professional Masters of Nursing and Healthcare Practice (MNHP), MSN/Clinical Nurse Leader, or a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN, MA) is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing direct nursing care in one or more of the following settings within the past six months:

  • Outpatient Cardiovascular Clinic
  • Adult Cardiac Catheterization Lab
  • Adult Electrophysiology Lab
  • Telemetry Unit
  • Cardiology Unit
  • Cardiovascular ICU
  • Emergency Room

• Three (3) years of experience in the aforementioned settings is considered a desired qualification.

• Demonstrated ability to professionally interact with patients, families, nursing staff, and other multidisciplinary team members is required.

Required Skills:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required by the start date.

• Current license to practice nursing in the State of Iowa is required by the start date.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) are essential.

• Proficiency in patient assessment and care plan development.

• Competency in administering and charting medications.

• Skill in performing procedures such as suture removal and wound dressing.

• Knowledge of universal precautions and patient safety protocols.

• Ability to coordinate care and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience with EPIC electronic health record system.

• Current job-related professional certification (e.g., within cardiology specialty).

• Knowledge of University policies, procedures, and practices.

• Experience functioning as a clinical preceptor.

• Familiarity with University of Iowa Health Care systems and practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement specifies a recency of "within the past 6 months," which is critical for applicants to note. The preference for BSN enrollment or completion, along with professional certifications, indicates a value placed on advanced education and specialized credentials.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Clinical Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies showcasing your approach to patient assessment, care plan development, intervention implementation, and evaluation of outcomes for cardiology patients. Highlight specific patient scenarios encountered in outpatient or inpatient cardiovascular settings.

• Process Improvement Examples: Document instances where you identified opportunities for improving patient care processes, workflow efficiency, or patient education within a clinical setting. Quantify the impact of your contributions where possible.

• Collaboration Examples: Showcase instances of successful interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in coordinating care for complex cardiology patients, scheduling diagnostic tests, or managing discharge planning.

• Documentation Samples: While direct patient charts cannot be shared, be prepared to discuss your approach to accurate, concise, and timely documentation of patient intake, vital signs, medications, procedures, and patient responses.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Adherence: Demonstrate understanding and adherence to established clinical workflows, including patient intake, vital sign monitoring, medication reconciliation, and procedural protocols.

• Care Plan Implementation: Show experience in actively implementing patient care plans, ensuring interventions align with diagnoses and patient-specific needs.

• Performance Measurement: Be prepared to discuss how nursing care is evaluated, including patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and adherence to safety protocols.

📝 Enhancement Note: For nursing roles, a traditional "portfolio" often translates to well-documented examples of clinical practice and problem-solving. Candidates should focus on preparing specific examples that illustrate their skills in patient assessment, care planning, procedural competency, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings: Access to retirement savings plans, likely including a 403(b) or similar plan with potential employer match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO) for vacation, sick leave, and holidays, in addition to the specific "No Nights, Weekends or Holidays!" schedule.

• Tuition Assistance: Opportunities for tuition reimbursement or assistance for continuing education and advanced degrees.

• Professional Development: Support for professional growth, including training, certifications, and continuing education units (CEUs).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Options for life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.

Working Hours:

• Scheduled hours will be between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

• This position explicitly offers "No Nights, Weekends or Holidays!", providing a stable and predictable work schedule.

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for Registered Nurses in Iowa City and similar academic medical center environments. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications and experience. The explicit mention of "No Nights, Weekends or Holidays!" is a significant benefit that strongly influences work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare (Academic Medical Center, Hospital & Health Care)

Company Size: University of Iowa Health Care employs over 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers, indicating a large, complex organization with diverse opportunities. This size suggests a well-established infrastructure and a commitment to research and education alongside patient care.

Founded: The University of Iowa was founded in 1847, and its Health Care system has evolved over many decades, signifying a long-standing presence and deep roots in medical advancement and community service.

Team Structure:

• The UI Heart and Vascular Center (HVC) is a specialized department within UI Health Care, likely comprising multiple interdisciplinary teams focused on various aspects of cardiovascular health.

• The General Cardiology team operates within an outpatient/ambulatory setting, suggesting a collaborative environment with other nurses, physicians (cardiologists), medical assistants, patient navigators, and administrative staff.

Methodology:

• Patient-Centered Care: Emphasis on patient and family-centered care, respecting preferences and expectations.

• Evidence-Based Practice: Integration of nursing theory and research into clinical practice.

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Strong focus on working with a multidisciplinary team to coordinate care.

• Continuous Improvement: Commitment to assessing effectiveness of care and developing patient care plans based on current conditions and best practices.

• Technology Integration: Utilization of computer applications for patient care and documentation.

Company Website: https://uihc.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®" slogan encapsulates the institution's mission, highlighting innovation, patient impact, and a forward-thinking approach to healthcare. The recognition by U.S. News & World Report as the best heart hospital in Iowa underscores a commitment to excellence and high-quality patient outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Staff Nurse, typically an entry-level to mid-level position for registered nurses, focusing on direct patient care within a specialized unit. It's a hands-on role requiring clinical expertise in cardiology.

Reporting Structure:

• The Staff Nurse reports to a Nursing Manager or Assistant Nurse Manager within the UI Heart and Vascular Center's General Cardiology outpatient team.

Operations Impact:

• As a direct care provider, the Staff Nurse's primary impact is on patient outcomes, patient experience, and the efficient functioning of the outpatient cardiology clinic.

• By providing thorough assessments, implementing care plans, and educating patients, they contribute to better disease management, reduced hospital readmissions, and improved quality of life for cardiology patients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Clinical Advancement: Opportunities to specialize further in cardiology, potentially through advanced certifications or experience in more acute settings within the HVC.

• Preceptorship and Mentorship: The role includes serving as a clinical preceptor, which develops leadership and teaching skills.

• Education Support: The University offers tuition assistance, supporting nurses who wish to pursue BSN, MSN, or other advanced degrees, which can lead to roles in advanced practice, management, or education.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Potential to gain experience at different HVC locations (main campus, Iowa River Landing, outreach sites), broadening exposure to various operational models.

• Specialized Certifications: Encouragement and potential support for obtaining relevant professional certifications (e.g., CVRN, RN-BC in Cardiovascular Nursing).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "No Nights, Weekends or Holidays!" defines a unique career path within nursing, prioritizing work-life balance. Growth opportunities are likely tied to clinical expertise, educational attainment, and developing leadership skills through roles like preceptorship.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role within a major academic medical center's Heart and Vascular Center, specifically in an outpatient/ambulatory clinic setting. This environment is dynamic, patient-focused, and involves direct clinical interaction.

Office Location(s):

• Main Campus

• Iowa River Landing

• Outreach Sites (as needed/requested)

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The workspace is designed for close collaboration among nursing staff, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless patient care.

• Access to Technology: Expect access to electronic health record systems (EPIC preferred), patient monitoring equipment, and other clinical technologies necessary for cardiology care.

• Patient Interaction: The primary workspace is the patient exam room and clinic environment, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage multiple patient interactions throughout the day.

• Team Interaction: Regular team huddles, patient care conferences, and direct communication with colleagues are integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule:

• The schedule is structured between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

• The explicit "No Nights, Weekends or Holidays!" policy is a defining characteristic of this work environment, offering significant work-life balance compared to traditional hospital nursing roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of multiple locations highlights the need for flexibility and potentially familiarity with different clinic setups. The structured daytime hours are a major differentiator for this role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and cover letter to assess qualifications against the minimum requirements.

• Phone/Video Interview: A preliminary discussion with a recruiter or hiring manager to gauge your interest, experience, and fit with the role and team.

• On-Site Interview: This typically includes:

  • Meeting with the Nurse Manager and potentially other nursing leaders.
  • Interviews with fellow staff nurses and potentially physicians to assess clinical skills, teamwork, and cultural fit.
  • A review of your clinical experience and approach to patient care.

• Skills Assessment: May include scenario-based questions related to cardiology patient care, critical thinking, and handling specific clinical situations.

• Preceptor Role Discussion: Questions may explore your experience or willingness to serve as a clinical preceptor.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: When discussing your experience, focus on the impact of your actions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to illustrate the results of your work (e.g., "reduced patient wait times by X%", "improved patient education completion rates by Y%").

• Highlight Cardiology Experience: Emphasize specific skills and knowledge related to general cardiology, outpatient care, and patient education.

• Showcase Collaboration: Be ready to provide examples of how you effectively collaborated with physicians, advanced practice providers, and other team members to achieve positive patient outcomes.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Given the potential for cross-coverage at different sites, highlight instances where you adapted to new environments or teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Clinical Scenarios: Prepare for questions involving common cardiology patient presentations, potential complications, and appropriate nursing interventions in an outpatient setting.

• Patient Education: Be ready to discuss your approach to educating patients on their conditions, medications, lifestyle modifications, and follow-up care.

• Ethical Considerations: Consider how you would handle ethical dilemmas or challenging patient/family interactions.

• Process Improvement Ideas: Think about how you would contribute to improving clinic workflows or patient satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a resume and cover letter to be uploaded as "Relevant Files" is crucial. Candidates should tailor these documents specifically to the job description, highlighting relevant cardiology experience and skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Electronic Health Record (EHR) System: Proficiency with EHR systems is essential. EPIC is specifically mentioned as a desired qualification, indicating its significant use within the organization. Candidates with strong EPIC experience will have a distinct advantage.

• Patient Monitoring Equipment: Familiarity with standard vital sign monitoring devices (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, pulse oximeters, EKG machines).

• Medical Devices: Experience with basic medical equipment used in wound care, suture removal, and patient assessment.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While direct data analysis might be less emphasized for a Staff Nurse role, understanding how patient data contributes to care plans and outcomes is important.

CRM & Automation:

• EHR systems often have CRM-like functionalities for patient management and communication. Understanding how to utilize these features for patient outreach, scheduling reminders, and follow-ups is key.

• Automation within the EHR might include charting templates or order sets, requiring the ability to navigate and utilize these efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of EPIC is a critical keyword. Candidates should highlight any experience with EPIC or similar comprehensive EHR systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centered Excellence: A core value is likely centered on providing the highest quality of care and ensuring positive patient experiences, aligning with the "Changing Medicine. Changing Lives." mission.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: The emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and serving as a preceptor points to a culture that values mutual support, knowledge sharing, and collective problem-solving.

• Integrity and Professionalism: Demonstrated through maintaining professional behavior, pride in work, and adherence to policies and procedures.

• Continuous Learning and Improvement: Encouraged through opportunities for advanced education, certifications, and the application of nursing theory and research.

• Efficiency and Effectiveness: While patient care is paramount, the outpatient setting necessitates efficient workflows and effective patient management.

Collaboration Style:

• Multidisciplinary Approach: Staff nurses are expected to work seamlessly with cardiologists, advanced practice providers, medical assistants, and other support staff.

• Open Communication: Clear, concise, and respectful communication is vital for patient safety and care coordination.

• Mentorship and Support: The inclusion of a preceptor role suggests a culture where experienced staff support and guide newer team members.

• Shared Responsibility: Team members share responsibility for patient outcomes, clinic operations, and maintaining high standards of care.

📝 Enhancement Note: The University of Iowa's motto and the specific emphasis on teamwork and patient care suggest a culture that is both academically rigorous and deeply committed to compassionate service.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing High Patient Volume: Working in an outpatient cardiology clinic can involve seeing a high number of patients daily, requiring efficient time management and prioritization skills.

• Coordinating Care Across Multiple Sites: The need to potentially work across different HVC locations may present logistical challenges and require adaptability to varying environments and team dynamics.

• Keeping Up with Cardiology Advancements: The field of cardiology is constantly evolving, requiring continuous learning to stay abreast of new treatments, diagnostics, and best practices.

• Balancing Autonomy and Supervision: While autonomy is encouraged, knowing when to seek supervision or collaborate with senior staff is crucial for patient safety.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Cardiology Training: Opportunities to deepen knowledge and skills in specific areas of cardiology care through on-the-job training and mentorship.

• Preceptorship Skills Development: Gaining experience in mentoring and educating new nurses, enhancing leadership capabilities.

• Educational Support: Access to tuition assistance for pursuing advanced nursing degrees (BSN, MSN), opening doors to more advanced roles.

• Professional Certifications: Support for obtaining and maintaining relevant certifications in cardiovascular nursing.

• Exposure to Research and Innovation: As part of an academic medical center, there may be opportunities to be involved in or learn about ongoing clinical research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge for this role is likely managing a demanding patient load in a structured, daytime environment, while the growth opportunities are strongly linked to clinical specialization and educational advancement within the healthcare system.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience with patient assessment and care plan development for cardiology patients in an outpatient setting." (Focus on your process, key considerations for cardiac patients, and how you tailor plans.)

• "How do you prioritize your tasks when managing multiple patients with varying needs in a busy clinic?" (Discuss time management techniques, delegation if applicable, and how you ensure no patient is overlooked.)

• "Walk me through a time you had to collaborate with a physician or another healthcare professional to manage a complex patient case." (Use the STAR method to detail the situation, your role, the actions taken, and the positive outcome.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for the University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center, specifically in this General Cardiology role?" (Research the HVC's mission, recent achievements, and align your values with theirs.)

• "What does 'patient-centered care' mean to you, and how do you implement it in your daily practice?" (Connect your answer to the UIHC mission and the specific needs of cardiology patients.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight Key Skills: Select 2-3 strong examples from your experience that best showcase your cardiology nursing skills, patient assessment, care planning, and collaboration.

• Quantify Results: If possible, use data or specific outcomes to illustrate the effectiveness of your interventions or contributions.

• Focus on Process: Explain your thought process and the steps you took in each scenario, emphasizing your clinical reasoning.

• Be Prepared for Specifics: Have examples ready for routine procedures (suture removal, wound dressing), patient education scenarios, and managing patient flow in a clinic.

• Showcase EPIC Experience: If you have EPIC experience, be ready to discuss specific modules or functionalities you used effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on "No Nights, Weekends or Holidays!", be prepared to discuss how you maintain engagement and productivity during these structured hours and what attracts you to this specific work-life balance.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Nurse position:

• Submit your application and ensure your resume and cover letter are uploaded and marked as "Relevant File" through the provided application link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight specific experience in cardiology, outpatient settings, patient intake, vital sign monitoring, medication management, and any procedural skills mentioned in the job description. Use keywords from the posting.

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the UI Heart and Vascular Center, your interest in General Cardiology, and how your skills and experience align with the role's requirements, particularly the structured daytime schedule.

• Prepare for Interview Scenarios: Review common cardiology conditions, outpatient clinic workflows, and patient education strategies. Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method.

• Research UI Health Care: Thoroughly research the University of Iowa Health Care system, its mission, values, and its reputation as a leading cardiovascular center. Understand their commitment to patient care and innovation.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.