POSITION SUMMARY

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Ambulatory Surgery Center R. N. is responsible and accountable for the delivery and documentation of patient care during the peri-operative period.

Fiscal Management

• Utilize supplies and materials in a cost-effective manner.

• Monitors levels of inventory in accordance with established desired quantities.

Standards of Nursing Practice

• Provides quality patient care as outlined in the "Peri-Operative Standards of Practice" and the department's policies and procedures.
• Interprets and monitors compliance of established standards, policies and procedures for surgical technicians and other unlicensed Ambulatory Surgery Center personnel as applicable.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Cultural practices will be addressed and supported as long as such practices do not harm others or interfere with the planned course of medical therapy.

Educational Development

• Assists in the orientation of new employees.
• Attends and participates in departmental staff meetings.
• Ensures individual skills are current by attending relevant educational programs.

Ambulatory Surgery Center Environment

• Maintains a safe environment by adherence to safety principles.
• Participates in departmental fire and disaster drills.
• Understands the criteria and can monitor all daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly engineer checks, equipment logs and quality control monitors.
• Complies with infection control guidelines.

Performance Improvement

• Assists in the identification of patient related potential problem areas for referral and quality review through the CARETRAC program.
• Monitors established quality review for compliance.

Other Duties and Responsibilities Include but are not Limited to the Following

• Admits and prepares outpatients (ambulatory surgery center patients) for surgery in an efficient and thorough manner, anticipates changes in C.R. schedule, ensures that all aspects of charts and required pre-op workload are completed as required for surgery.

• Assesses. plans. implements and evaluates patient care in accordance with the physicians' orders. ASC policy and patients' needs, and anesthesia guidelines.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability for accurate, concise, and timely documentation in the medical record and patient care plan.
• Assesses the patient's condition and nursing needs; prescribes appropriate nursing actions to meet the physical, social, and rehabilitative needs of the patient, including discharge planning.
• Reports pertinent observations and reactions regarding patients to the appropriate person (i.e. surgeon, anesthesiologist. ASC Manager, Administrator) and records those observations accurately and concisely.
• Incorporates and demonstrates the knowledge of nursing practice including legal aspects, nursing process and quality improvement.
• Identifies patient and family teaching needs and initiates intervention to meet needs.
• Develops a complete and accurate patient care plan to provide a sound basis for administering patient care within the ASC established policy and standards which is consistent with and supports the medical plan of care.
• Maintains and promotes a positive, safe environment for patients and co-workers.
• Demonstrates an ability to provide leadership and management responsibilities for the safe delivery of patient care.
• Participates in economical utilization of supplies and medication and ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Administers medications and I.V. solutions in a safe and effective manner.
• Assists with or initiates emergency measures for sudden adverse development in patients with cardiac arrest, malignant hyperthermia, respiratory distress, shock, etc. Maintains all annual education standards as indicated per ASC requirements.
• Coordinates discharge of patients to home or other facilities as appropriate and provides accurate and complete report of patients' condition upon transfer.
• Attends departmental meetings and Inservice education and shows responsibility for own professional practice and ongoing education.
• Maintains an effective rapport with physicians, patients, family, staff members and clinic personnel.
• Demonstrates complete knowledge of infection control and universal precautions, actively supports, and promotes strict adherence to policies and procedures as outlined in the departmental manuals.
• Does not abuse or take advantage of sick time or personal days off; rarely sick or absent from work due to health reasons.
• Always provides proper notification and advance notice for absence or tardiness.
• Observes the dress code.
• When requested, is willing to adjust personal schedule in order to complete workload in view of increased patient activity, staffing reduction or in preparation for special inspection.
• Available for additional duties with scope of training.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current Registered Nurse licensed for the State of Georgia.
• Current ACLS and BLS certification.

Experience:

• OR experience preferred.

• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT AND WORKING CONDITIONS
• Sitting/Standing: Extended periods of sitting and/or standing in an open office environment
• Handling: Normal office activity including, keyboarding, interacting with others, participating in meetings, extended periods of sitting and/or standing in an open office environment, use of headset or telephone for extended periods of time.
• Repetitive motion: Frequent and regular use of the wrists, hands, and fingers to make small movements such as typing or picking up small objects. Normal fine and gross motor control of fingers and hands.
• Exposure to weather, uneven walking surfaces and office setting
• Requires frequent lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted, including assisting patients when required.
• Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting, and sitting, with some heavy lifting, pushing, and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift.
• Requires exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment.
• Requires ability to facilitate prescribed treatment, including full manipulation and resistance.
• Requires full range of body motion including manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.