Operating Room Nurse Clinician III - CLC; Casual Appointment

Minimum Qualifications

RN with two years of preferred clinical operating room, ICU, Cath Lab and other procedural areas RN experience. Must possess and maintain a current license or valid permit to practice in Texas. Current BLS required.

Competent Clinician. Possesses knowledge and skill to meet standards for competent professional nursing practice as specified in the Texas Nurse Practice Act. Experienced, knowledgeable and skilled in specialty area. Competently functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Experienced nurses transferring into the operating room must complete the operating room specific Competency Based Orientation (CBO) tool satisfactorily within the 6-month probationary period.

Practice is characterized by predominantly interdependent and independent critical thinking decisions. Practice is problem focused and patient centered in the manner care is provided. Provides safe and competent intraoperative patient care. Actively acquire knowledge and skills specific to patients undergoing a surgical procedure. Practice strong patient advocacy role and diligence in the preoperative review of documents and verification of surgical procedure, site and other critical safety checks prior to surgery.

Safely circulate in emergent and urgent surgical cases and collaborate with physicians and other members of the surgical team during surgical time outs and debriefing procedures. Enforces aseptic and sterile techniques to all aspects of patient care. Effectively and safely operate highly specialized OR equipment. Able to manage unexpected or emergency situations that are commonly seen in assigned specialty population.

Serves as a resource for Nurse Clinician I or II. Can manage commonly seen contingency situations that arise on the clinical unit. Provides patient care through nursing practices based upon the American Nurses Association Standards of Practice, Nursing Process and UTMB’s three domains for competency and advancement:
Professional Practice, Professional Performance and Performance Improvement.

• Validates specialized perioperative nursing knowledge
• Indicates attainment of current perioperative nursing practice standards
• Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans
• Participates actively in our surgical time out and debriefing
• Ensures that operating on the correct patient and the correct procedure is being performed
• Observes, checks and monitors all equipment used during surgery to confirm they are running smoothly
• Assists in positioning, responding to comfort/safety of patient
• Provides for accurate care, handling and documentation of surgical specimens
• Supports the surgical technologist during the case effectively
• Performs surgical counts (Initial, Closing and Final) and reconciles incorrect counts per policy
• Documents accurately all surgical procedures, documentation, supplies and implants
• Participates actively and supports departmental initiatives related to patient safety, efficiency, cost containment, staff and physician satisfaction, and other projects mandated by the department
• Observes and enforces strict standards of asepsis
• Able to take call status and respond to emergencies per policy, “stay days” and work long and unpredictable hours
• Thrives and maintains collegiality and professionalism during high-stress situations
• Actively invests and engages in improving or maintaining staff morale and satisfaction
• Completes required specialty specific Competency Based Orientation (CBO) tools by the initial performance evaluation due date for placement in employee file
• Actively participates in the initial and ongoing evaluation of competency using CBO tools and/or Competency and Clinical Advancement Program (CCAP) tools
• Independently and competently assists with activities for assigned area embodying UTMB’s core values
• Independently and competently completes assessments of patients and identifies actual and potential nursing diagnoses/patient care needs
• Competently plans and prioritizes culturally, age and specialty appropriate care for the identified patient group
• Independently and…