RN - Surgical Services

Job Summary

Provides direct patient care to pediatric 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 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 assures all appropriate needs of surgical operating team are met.

Monitors, positions and assists patient during procedure.

• 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 Social Services/Pastoral Care as appropriate.
• Gives patient explanations and verbal reassurances consistently.
• Adapts nursing procedures to meet the needs for treatment of individual 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.
• Directs and assists in maintenance and handling of special equipment and instruments.
• Observes behavioral and physiologic changes due to medications, take appropriate actions and documents.
• Adjusts expectations of patient’s behavior and act according to 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.
• Demonstrates competence in preparing and cleaning of OR suites before and between cases and after, based on universal precautions and AORN standards.
• 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.
• Protects patient’s sensitivities and right to privacy at all times.
• Is able to open sterile supplies and set up for procedures.
• 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, consent signed, test results present, etc.) before patient is taken to surgical suite.
• Is consistently ready and prepared for assigned cases and has patient in the surgical suite in a timely manner.
• Appropriately responds to the patient in an emergency or physically distressful situation.
• Assessment and re-assessment 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 prior to, during (if applicable) and after the procedure and documents on the OR flow record.
• Communicates lab/radiology reports to the surgeon during the procedure.
• 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 patients benefit. Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the Hospital as well as of the Surgical Services Department.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of instrument processing, sterilization and biological monitoring. Has the knowledge to be able to use the immediate use sterilizer.
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of facts and good judgement, knowledge of disease, surgical conditions and care required.
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of dysrhythmias, followed by appropriate treatment.
• Is able to perform all duties of circulating and scrub nurse.
• Is able to function independently as PACU nurse.
• Utilizes…