Summary
Provides directpatient care to all patient populations. Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care relatedto the surgical environment. Assistswith the maintenance of PACU equipment and inventory. Participates in performance improvementactivities. Responsible for monitoringpatient's physiological status in the immediate postoperative environment. Communicates with surgeon andanesthesiologist continuously, and as needed, about patient conditions;receives direction for patient management. Intercedes to maintain optimumhomeostasis. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in conditionor response to treatment. May berequired to perform in the charge nurse role.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Able to perform a head-to-toe assessment on allpatient populations and reassessments per facility policy. Provides careappropriate to disease condition and age of the patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge of perioperative factorsthat alter immediate postoperative phase.
• Identifies physical symptoms and changes andtakes appropriate action in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge of airway management andprocedures and the ability to use the equipment.
• Demonstrates ability to assesscardio-respiratory systems for changes and provides appropriate treatment.
• Observes behavioral and physiologic changes dueto medications, takes appropriate actions and documents.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassesspain. Utilizes appropriate painmanagement techniques. Educates thepatient and family regarding pain management.
• Demonstrates an ability to assist physicianswith procedures. Carries out medical/surgical asepsis during treatments andspecial procedures.
• Knowledge of medications and their correctadministration based on age of patient and clinical condition. Follows the fivemedication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Carries out safety measures to prevent patientfrom harming him/herself or others.
• Assesses level of consciousness and promotesactivity. Encourages turn, cough, and deep breathe by exercises and positionchanges.
• Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs,actions and side effects.
• Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines,spinal and epidural catheters anddocuments pertinent clinical information per policy. Has knowledge of emergency medications.
• Demonstrates knowledge of peripheral nerveblock procedures and catheters; able to document pertinent clinical informationper policy.
• Ability to formulate an individualized plan ofcare. Ability to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient's response totreatment and evaluate overall plan for effectiveness. Formulates a teaching plan with patient andfamily based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness oflearning. Interacts professionally withpatient/family.
• Responds appropriately to patient in an emergencyor per ACLS or PALS protocol.
• Communicates effectively and thoroughly thepatient's condition upon transfer from PACU to the receiving unit RegisteredNurse.
• Establishes and maintains effectivecommunication and good working relationships with co-workers and health careteam members for the patient's benefit. Consults other departments as appropriate to provide an interdisciplinaryapproach to the patient's needs.
• Orients new staff as needed.
• Maintains regulatory agency requirements,hospital and nursing policies, procedures and standards.
• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring,identifies dysrhythmias, and treats appropriately based upon facilityprotocol.
• Able to perform 12 lead EKG as indicated.
• Able to perform waived testing (point-of-caretesting) or moderate complexity testing per clinical laboratory guidelines andunit policy and procedure. Able to interpret results of laboratory tests andtake appropriate action on test results. Notifies physician of any abnormal lab/test results.
• Completes specially assigned dutiesconsistently and as schedule allows.
• Documentation meets current standards andpolicies.
• Manages and operates equipment safely andcorrectly.
• Treats patients and their families with respectand dignity. Identifies and addressespsychological, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients andtheir families. Functions as a liaisonbetween patients, their families and other departments and other healthcareproviders.
• Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain steadylevel of productivity; self-motivated. Organizes and manages activitiesreflecting due consideration for the needs of the department and staff.

ChargeNurse Responsibilities:

• Makes daily patient assignments, monitors thedaily surgery schedule and daily unit progress, reports changes to involveddepartments.
• Supports/oversees unit staff and monitorsstaffing efficiency. Monitors late andon call schedule. Staff's unit accordingto nursing standards. Supervises staffto ensure quality of nursing care, delegates' specific duties and tasks. Monitors daily time sheets.
• Provides and controls supplies, and equipmentneeded for successful operation of the department. Directs and delegates control of inventoriesto ensure proper amounts available.
• Supervises care and cleanliness of equipmentand supplies to ensure good working conditions.
• Effectively communicates pertinent issues to ORDirector.
• Provides orientation to new staff members. Assists in the evaluation process.
• Promotes the hospital's mission, values, andgoals.
• Utilizes initiative, strives to maintain asteady level of productivity, completes assigned projects by due date.
• Knowledgeable of lab procedures and labequipment.
• Participates in QA/PI activities, communicatesresults to staff.
• Completes other duties as assigned by Director.
• Communicates with OR Director regarding issues,conflicts, or operational occurrences in the department and participates withproblem solving.
• Promotes professional growth of subordinates bysharing knowledge and/or directing them to sources if information appropriateto given situation. Utilizes journals, books, etc. to learn and/or improve newtechniques and equipment.

Core Competencies
ActionOrientation - Targets and achieves results, overcomes obstacles, acceptsresponsibility, establishes standards and responsibilities, creates aresults-oriented environment, and follows through on actions.
Communications - Communicates well both verbally and in writing. Effectively conveys andshares information and ideas with others. Listens carefully and understandsvarious viewpoints. Presents ideas clearly and concisely and understandsrelevant detail in presented information.
Creativity/Innovation - Generates novel ideas and develops or improves existing and new systems thatchallenge the status quo, takes risks, and encourages innovation.
CriticalJudgment - Possesses the ability to define issues and focus on achievingworkable solutions. Consistently does the right thing by performing withreliability.
CustomerOrientation - Listens to customers, builds customer confidence, increasescustomer satisfaction, sets appropriate customer expectations, and responds tocustomer needs.
InterpersonalSkills - Effectively and productively engages with others and establishestrust, credibility, and confidence with others.
Leadership - Motivates, empowers, inspires, collaborates with, and encourages others.Builds consensus when appropriate. Focuses team members on common goals.
Teamwork - Knows when and how to attract, develop, reward, and utilize teams to optimizeresults. Acts to build trust, inspire enthusiasm, encourage others, and helpresolve conflicts and develop consensus in creating high-performance teams.
Professional Requirements

• Meets dress code standards; adheres to policydress code policy.
• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled,completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, usescomputerized punch time system correctly.
• Attends annual review and department in-services,as scheduled.
• Attends monthly staff meetings or reads staffmeeting minutes.
• Represents the organization in a positive andprofessional manner.
• Actively participates in performanceimprovement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policiesregarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals ofthe hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Assists other staff members in performing anyduty that enhances the delivery of patient care.

Advanced Orthopedic and SpineCertification Requirements
(CR.1c) As partof the Advanced Orthopedic and Spine Certification, at a minimum, the Programdirect-care staff, must have eight (8) hours of education specific to theProgram scope, initially, and at least annually thereafter.
(CR.1e) As partof the Advanced Orthopedic and Spine Certification, staff possess adaptabilityto processes as related to up-to-date best practices, collaboration betweendepartments, compliance with protocols/processes, communication, cooperationand exceptional customer service.
Within 90 daysof hire or, if currently employed, within 90 days of signing the jobdescription, must adhere to:

• Orientation of Advanced Orthopedic and SpineCertification
• In compliance with the Program educationrequirements
• Completed department specific competencies

Regulatory Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Current state Registered Nurse licensure in thestate of Louisiana
• Current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively in English,both verbally and in writing.
• Basiccomputer knowledge.

Physical Demands
The physicaldemands described here are representative of those that must be met by anemployee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Whileperforming the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talkand hear. This position is very active and requires repetitive motions, standing,walking, bending, kneeling and stooping all day. The employee must frequentlylift or move items weighing over 100 pounds.

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