Registered Nurse - Peri-Operative Program (Full Time)

Provides direct patient care to neonate through geriatric patient populations. Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment. Communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously and as needed about patient condition. Assists with the maintenance of surgical equipment and inventory. Participates in performance improvement activities. Assesses operating room for equipment functioning and readiness, obtains supplies for individual cases and ensures all appropriate needs of surgical operating team are met. Monitors, positions and assists patient during procedure. Assumes Charge Nurse position when assigned to A Call 1 position.

NON-EXEMPT

Approaches patient in a kind, gentle and friendly manner.

Responds to patient's inappropriate behavior in a therapeutic manner.

Takes appropriate actions and documents in response to manifested anxiety or distress. Requests Pastoral Care, as appropriate.

Gives patient explanations and verbal reassurances consistently.

Adapts nursing procedures to meet the needs for treatment of individual neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.

Identifies physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate actions in a timely manner.

Demonstrates ability to assess cardiorespiratory systems for changes in pediatric to geriatric patients and is able to treat appropriately.

Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.

Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served. Able to interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.

Directs and assists in maintenance and handling of special equipment and instruments, being fiscally responsible by preventing damage and loss.

Observes behavioral and physiologic changes due to medications, takes appropriate actions and documents.

Adjusts expectations of patient behavior and acts according to the effect medication has on patient.

Positions patients safely; pads and protects bony prominences.

Preps and drapes patients correctly for all procedures.

Carries out medical and surgical asepsis during all procedures.

Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.

Demonstrates competence in preparing and cleaning of OR suites before and between cases and after terminal case, based on patient's infection class.

Carries out established techniques for safe administration of medications and parenteral fluids, as per hospital policies and procedures.

Coordinates and supervises patient care; provides patient and family with teaching/education, as necessary.

Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions and side effects.

Follows the five (5) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.

Protects patient's sensitivities and right to privacy.

Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines, Swan-Ganz, spinal and epidural catheters and how to assist Anesthesia Care Provider with insertion, when needed.

Is able to open sterile supplies and set up for procedure.

Demonstrates thorough knowledge of location, care and operation of all surgical equipment.

Accurately records, handles and labels specimens; demonstrates care of specimens.

Ensures Pre-op Checklist is complete (H&P present, informed consent signed, test results present, surgical site identified, etc.) before patient is taken into surgical suite.

Is consistently ready and prepared for assigned cases and has patient in the surgical suite 30 minutes before the scheduled time.

Appropriately responds to the patient in an emergency or physically distressful situation.

Assessment and reassessment of the patient is clearly and concisely communicated in charting. Documentation meets current standards, policies and procedures and is completed within shift.

Effectively communicates with the physician in accounting for all sponges, needles and instruments during and after the procedure and documents in the appropriate area.

Communicates Clinical Laboratory/Imaging Services reports to the surgeon during the procedure.

Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory's and the patient care unit's policies and procedures.

Ability to interpret results of waived tests; take appropriate action on waived tests results.

Gives thorough report of patient's intraoperative condition to PACU nurse or receiving unit.

Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co-workers for the patient's benefit.

Counts narcotics with another RN or LPN, per hospital policy.

Demonstrates thorough knowledge of instrument processing, sterilization and biological monitoring.

Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of dysrhythmias, followed by appropriate treatment.

Is able to perform all duties of circulating nurses.

Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain steady level of productivity; self motivated; manages activity and time; does not waste time.

Controls traffic to avoid infection.

Regularly collaborates with other members of the nursing team, in order to maintain equipment and supplies for surgical procedures. As changes occur, communicates changes in procedures to co-workers by updating Physician Preference Cards. Actively participates in Supply Management Processes.

In Charge Position.

Assists surgeons in operations throught provision of qualified staff.

Formulates schedule which provides staff available for all procedures.

Assigns personnel, delegates specific duties/tasks.

Reports changes of any type to surgical staff and reports changes to departments affected by the changes.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with pressure to meet deadlines, to be accurate, and to handle constantly changing situations.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with a variety of people, deal with stressful situations, and handle conflict.

Professional Requirements:

Adheres to dress code.

Completes annual educational requirements.

Maintains regulatory requirements.

Wears identification while on duty.

Maintains confidentiality at all times.

Attends department staff meetings as required within the department.

Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work in designated time.

Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.

Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

Coordinates efforts in meeting regulatory compliance, federal, state and local regulations and standards

Communicates and complies with the Benefis Health System Mission, Vision and Values as well as the focus statement of the department.

Complies with Benefis Health System Organization Policies and Procedures.

Complies with Health and Safety Standards and Guidelines.