Don't let the job title fool you. As a telephone interview nurse at the cardiac catheterization lab at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Sally Adams Smith is not on the phone all day. Her job is much more comprehensive than that.

The hospital added the position two years ago to help provide continuity for cardiac-care patients, particularly those who are having same-day surgical procedures, such as catheterizations and stint insertions. Smith conducts pre-operative interviews and serves as the conduit of informant between patients, family members and the medical staff. She also follows patients through the discharge process.

Smith has worked most of her 27-year career in cardiac care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and her vast experience was a major reason for her being assigned to the new job.

"I've been in surgery prep; in the procedure room; scrubbed in for surgeries, standing side-by-side with the physicians; at the bedside; been a charge nurse on the cardiac floor and the CCU; plus I've worked in the emergency department on the night shift," said Smith, RN, BSN. "I love people and I love hearts."

Smith spends the majority of her days either on the phone with patients doing pre-op and post-op work, or at the computer. She also interacts with physicians.

Smith still uses her clinical skills, drawing blood and starting IVs when the rest of the staff is busy.

"One of the most rewarding things about this job is that I can help alleviate people's fears about their procedures, and I educate them and their families," she said.

Smith's love of cardiac care brought her to the board of the American Heart Association's Northeast Georgia chapter; this year she is chapter president. Smith was named chapter Nurse of the Year in 2005.

She also has chaired three heart walks in Gainesville and Hall County.

"Being able to help educate patients and their families in my job and my community work is incredibly rewarding," she said. "With my background, it comes naturally to translate medical terms into language people can understand."

Depending on the size of the institution and the scope of the work, the average starting salary for telephone interview nurses is about $60,000. Smith said it's vital to have an understanding of both the clinical and the personal sides of patient care. Patience and the ability to communicate are also crucial.