JOB SUMMARY 

To act as patient advocate, providing continuity of care designed to meet individual patient needs through collaboration with other members of the health care team at the Hospital. Supports the philosophy, objectives and goals of the Hospital. The Pre-op nurse will ensure quality care to the individual patients pre-operatively including, but not limited to geriatric, adult, pediatric and adolescent patients. 

Reports to: Pre-Op Nurse Manager 

Classification: Non- Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS 

Degree from accredited nursing program. 

Licensure as registered nurse. Current PALS and ACLS certification 

Minimum of 1 years work experience as a staff nurse preferred. 

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE

 Category I exposure to bloodborne pathogens, frequent exposure to chemical hazards and may encounter radiation hazards.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Duties of Pre-op RN opening Pre-op area for the day include:

1.1 Readies the area to receive patients.

2. Assesses physical and emotional needs of patients and implements appropriate.
Nursing interventions. Include confirmation of the following information:

2.1 Allergies

2.2 Medications taken at home

2.3 Dentures, contacts or glasses

2.4 Pertinent medical conditions

2.5 Pertinent past medical history

2.6 Confirmation of consent and operative side

2.7 Assures laterality procedure marked per policy.

2.8 Confirmation of responsible party

3. Assesses or performs the following:

3.1 Temperature

3.2 Weight and height

3.3 Start IV on all patients, except those who have an order not to start an IV. Utilizes anesthesia protocol regarding IV fluids and catheter size.

4. Respects patients’ right to privacy, dignity and confidentiality.

5. Assists the patient to undress, if patient needs assistance, and gives locker key to
Patients’ family.

6. Follows appropriate Pre-Op/Admitting policies and procedures.

7. Performs pre-operative instruction and explanation according to facility policy
and procedure.

7.1 Provides preoperative instruction.

7.2 Describes the perioperative experience to the patient and the participation
of the significant other, including what to expect before, during and after the procedure.

7.3 Reviews health history and procedure to be performed. Provides all required preoperative instructions applicable to the procedure being performed.
7.4 Completes the nursing pre-assessment record.

7.5 Reviews with the anesthesiologist health histories of any scheduled admissions that do not meet the Center’s admission criteria.

7.6 Reviews or takes physician verbal preoperative orders. Monitors that orders or preoperative testing requests from either the admitting physician or the anesthesiologist have been received.

7.7 Carries out all pre-operative orders for testing; lab, EKG.

7.8 Modifies physician/anesthesiologist of any critical values.

8. Is knowledgeable about and responsive to emergency situations, i.e. cardiac
arrest, malignant hyperthermia, drug reaction, fire, disaster etc.

9. Reports and completes appropriate forms for incidents related to patients, visitors,
and employees.

10. Attends and participates in staff meetings and staff development programs,
including mandatory ones.

11. Participates in CQI process and activities.

12. Assists with all other duties as the need arises or as assigned.

13. Performs duties of waived and specific non-waived laboratory testing to include pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic phases of testing. This includes specimen collection and processing, instrument operating and quality controls, evaluation and documentation of test results and notification of physician of any critical results.

14. Ensures that patients are seen by the anesthesiologist prior to being taken to the
OR.

15. Sets priorities to facilitate the timely and efficient flow of patients throughout the
day.

16. Prepares and restocks the Pre-Operative area for the following day.

17. Comply with facility Standards of Behavior and complete all required education assignments within the designated timeline.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
 
1. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.