Registered Nurse -- OR/Surgical Services

JOB SUMMARY                                                                                                                                                                

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 surgeons and anesthesia providers 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 the surgical operating team are met.  Monitors, positions and assists patients during procedure.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS                                                                                                         

• 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 the 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 six (6) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Protects patient’s sensitivities and right to privacy.
• Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines, spinal and epidural catheters and how to document appropriately.
• 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 the patient is taken into the surgical suite.
• Is consistently ready and prepared for assigned cases and has patients in the surgical suite 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
• 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.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co-workers for the patient’s benefit.
• Counts narcotics at beginning and end of all shifts with another RN, per hospital policy.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of instrument processing, sterilization and biological monitoring. Actively participates in instrument processing, as schedule allows.
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of dysrhythmias, followed by appropriate treatment.
• 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.
• Takes appropriate actions and documents in response to manifested anxiety or distress. Requests Social Service/Pastoral Care, as appropriate.
• Gives patient explanations and verbal reassurances consistently.
• Adapts nursing procedures to meet the needs for treatment of, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Identifies physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate actions in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates ability to assess cardio-respiratory 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 regardin