RN, Operating Room

Description

This position is expected to assess patients nursing care needs primarily in the operating suite, evaluate effectiveness of care provided, and integrate nursing theory into clinical practice in the Ambulatory Surgery Center. The position must be able to apply nursing theory to assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate safe patient care and continue to analyze ongoing assessment data to determine safe patient outcomes throughout the Ambulatory Surgery Center supporting all team members.

This position requires State Licensure as Registered Nurse (RN) who will collaborate and integrate information from patient and family working with multi-disciplinary team members.

• Assesses patient status on admission to the operating room and/or the post‑operative area, and on a continuing basis.
• Provides safe, therapeutic quality care to patients by utilizing the nursing process and nursing diagnosis in a timely manner and by setting appropriate priorities. Coordinates nursing interventions to enhance achievement of expected outcomes and to ensure readiness for discharge. Documents interventions and patient’s responses.
• Ensures provision of patient care in an organized and timely manner including effective and timely turnovers between cases.
• Utilizes nursing care standards when planning and implementing patient care evidenced by case prep daily of getting appropriate supplies and equipment for individual cases.
• Communicates appropriate information regarding patient conditions to those who require the information, including surgeons, anesthesia, management, and other staff.
• Safely carries out physician’s orders correctly and promptly, documenting all activities.
• Initiates and participates in patient and family education. Assesses learning needs according to patient’s level of understanding and readiness to learn.
• Displays an understanding of each patient’s cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturity in assessments, treatment, and care including pediatrics to geriatric patient populations.
• Takes part in pre‑ and post‑operative communications and communicates any problems to the appropriate person.
• Maintains competencies to function in RN role within specific area, e.g., OR circulator – identification, counting and care of instrumentation and sponges, skin preparation of surgical site.
• Maintain competencies in monitoring the patient undergoing anesthesia and/or sedation, including airway protection, assessment and support of the patient.
• Protect sedated and anesthetized patients by identifying safety hazards such as electrical equipment, pressure points and by minimizing exposure to maintain privacy and body temperature.
• Expertise in safety principles, asepsis, sterile technique and universal precautions.
• Assesses, anticipates and implements appropriate care throughout the whole surgical process as needed to support team members.

• Correlates clinical data with nursing care. Provides the patient with care measures congruent with his/her age, sex and health status.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, prioritizes work to meet the changing needs of the department.
• Knowledge of and ability to troubleshoot a variety of medical equipment and instruments to administer patient care including surgical instrumentation during the procedures.
• Document and perform nursing care in assigned area based on standards of care and practice, and policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures, including but not limited to standards for confidentiality, Infection Control, safety (OSHA), attendance, punctuality and personal appearance.
• Serve as a role model and mentor, providing direction and leadership to other staff.
• Demonstrates understanding of established emergency procedures for the Center.
• Demonstrates the ability to direct and provide for patient care in emergency situations.
• Demonstrates the ability to make decisions concerning Center‑based problems.
• Participates in the orientation of nursing and ancillary staff as requested.
• Participates in developing standardized patient education programs.
• Participates in Quality Improvement activities, including…