SALARY STATED IS STARTING PAY RANGE.

POSITION SUMMARY: This professional provides planned and highly skilled nursing care for the immediate pre and post-operative patient.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Licensure and Certification:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed to practice in the State as a Registered Nurse
• Must maintain BLS/ACLS/PALS

Experience:

• Previous medical / surgical experience preferred
• Previous Post Anesthesia recovery experience preferred

Physical:

• Must be able to Sit, stand, and walk continually
• Frequently bend, climb, reach overhead, carry/push or pull up to 25 pounds, grasping/squeezing
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to speak and hear normal auditory levels

Mental: Stamina to withstand stress and strain. Good memory, patient and tactful. Emotional stability. Able to both listen and direct. Skill in organization.

Mathematical skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, and percentages.

Language skills: Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Ability to effectively present information, respond to questions, and professionally interact with managers, employees, patients, vendors, and the general public.

Reasoning ability: Ability to recognize and define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and correct errors. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and forms to understand abstract and concrete variables. Ability to think critically using inductive and deductive reasoning.

JOB SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Comprehensive and current knowledge of nursing theory
• Knowledge and understanding of perioperative nursing
• Adequate understanding of a wide variety of medical/surgical pathophysiology
• Awareness of symptoms, possible complications and appropriate interventions of surgery and anesthesia
• Knowledge should be up-to-date on the actions of all pharmaceuticals and anesthetic agents
• Have a working knowledge of fluid and electrolyte balance
• Able to perform accurate and complete patient assessments
• Skilled in age-based competencies
• Competent in general nursing technical skills

JOB RELATIONSHIP: Is directly responsible to the Nurse Manager of assigned area. Indirectly responsible to Clinical Director. Acts as lead of assigned area when directed. Does not supervise other staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively participates as a team member in the total perioperative process
• Works collaboratively with the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care
• Prepares pre-op & PACU areas for incoming patients according to patient needs
• Provides comfort and reassurance to patient and patient family members
• Utilizes the nursing process to perform safe and individualized nursing care pre and post operatively
• Administers medication per physician orders
• Accurately comprehends and interprets physician orders and direction
• Performs pre-operative assessment and prepares patient for surgery developing a plan of care, based on patient needs, related to the procedure and type of anesthesia
• Receives patient postoperatively, assesses patient needs administering care accordingly; evaluates care plan and outcomes
• Makes post-operative telephone call
• Participates in QA activities
• Assures patient safety and communicates concerns appropriately following chain of command
• Starts and monitors intravenous lines
• Develops effective communication and interpersonal relationship skills
• Maintains competencies for perioperative nursing
• Reports any abnormal observed complications to the anesthesia provider and physician
• Documents patient-care records and other forms accurately, legibly and in a timely manner
• Prepares patient for discharge and reviews and documents discharge instructions with patient and responsible adult
• Organizes nursing activities efficiently and effectively
• Considers cost containment by using supplies economically and by managing efficient turnover time
• Assists with supplies, drugs, and equipment inventories to maintain stock level and availability
• Maintains order and cleanliness of assigned area
• Prepares room and equipment between patients
• Cleans and prepares stretcher beds
• Transports patients as needed
• Promotes patient and physician satisfaction
• Attends all required education and in-service
• Adheres to safety policies and practices good body mechanic and ergonomics
• Follows all company policies and procedures
• Reports incidents in a timely manner
• Performs other duties as assigned

ESSENTIAL VALUES, CODES OF CONDUCT

Demonstrates knowledge of and adheres to the Code of Conduct

• Detail oriented
• Attitude that is caring, respectful, sensitive, tactful, compassionate, empathetic, and tolerant
• Exhibits mental alertness for quality decision making and exercising good judgment
• Works well with others – a team player
• Exhibits high level of integrity
• Willing to accept assignments within the limits of the position and to accept extra duties willingly
• Display initiative, flexibility and adaptability in his/her career approach
• Able to maintain a poised and professional manner even in the face of diversity
• Enjoys working with and around people of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and creeds
• Must show initiative and take responsibility for professional development and continuing education
• Must be able to accept and give direction, and to identify and use the proper chain of command
• Must be able to act and present as a professional role model

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Days and hours of work vary to meet patient or center needs

• The Center is a well-lit, ventilated and climate controlled environment. The Center may require decreased lighting to meet patient care needs or procedure requirements, such as laser rooms and some OR/Procedure rooms
• Ability to work with medical and office equipment, some of which will have moving parts
• Noise level is usually quiet to moderate
• May have exposure to blood and other potentially infectious body fluids and materials or toxic chemicals and cleaning solutions
• Procedure rooms are often small, and due to equipment may have little room to work around and may necessitate reaching, pulling, pushing
• Work in close proximity to patients and co-workers