JOB DESCRIPTION

PERIOPERATIVE NURSE

POSITION: Pre/Intra/Post-Operative Care Staff Nurse

SUMMARY: The Perioperative Staff Nurse is responsible for the patient’s admission to the facility, comprehensive pre-operative care, and safety of the patient during their transfer and stay in the surgical suite, immediate post-operative care, and stabilization for return to the home environment.

1. POSITION DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

a. To utilize specialized nursing knowledge and discriminative judgment while providing direct and indirect patient care.

1. Responsible for patient’s admission and pre-operative care; holistic preparation for surgery, considering all needs, including pre-operative education, escort family members, psychosocial needs, utilizing preference standards, and acting under established protocols, practices, and standing orders.

2. Coordinates pre-operative lab work required for individual patients, documenting and reporting pertinent results.

3. Responsible for the patients post-operative care and stabilization; holistic preparation for return to the home environment, considering all needs, including post-discharge care, escort family members, educational and psychosocial needs, utilizing reference cards and acting under established protocols, practices and standing orders.

4. Performs through and accurate continual patient assessment, anticipating potential problems and reporting pertinent assessments to the anesthesiologist, supervisor, and or surgeon appropriately.

5. Documents actions in a medical record completely and accurately in a timely manner.

6. Keeps safety of patient, self and others as a primary concern at all times; acts appropriately in an emergency situation.

7. Acts as discharge nurse when assigned, giving holistic and thorough discharge education. Demonstrates good nursing knowledge base and rationale for actions, including cardiac monitoring.

8. Supervises and directs, as delegated the activities of non-professional personnel.

9. Utilizes equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently, assisting with stocking, replenishing, and preparation of supplies.

10. Performs safe aseptic techniques and procedures.

11. To perform the tasks delegated to the “circulating” role.

i. Checks room for needed supplies and prepares room for specific patient and procedures.

ii. Assists in transporting patient to the O.R. and checks patient records for appropriate pre-op preparation and procedures (i.e. lab, x-ray, appropriate permits).

iii. Performs and or directs appropriate surgical prep.

iv. Completes documentation for O.R. records, and patient chart including medications and physician orders.

v. Directs proper care for instruments, supplies, sterilization, and storage of equipment.

vi. Supervises and assists with the proper, safe positioning of the patient.

vii. Performs sponge, needle, and instrument counts and documentation.

viii. Identifies, labels, and cares for all surgical specimens properly.

ix. Secures emergency equipment and supplies as needed.

x. Controls the general “tone” of the operating room.

12. To perform the tasks of the “scrub” role.

i. Scrubs, gowns, and gloves members of surgical team following aseptic techniques.

ii. Sets up operating room with all necessary equipment and supplies.

iii. Arranges instruments according to routine for a given procedure.

iv. Handles instruments correctly and checks fro cleanliness and proper working condition.

v. Maintains sterile field throughout the surgical procedure.

vi. Performs clean up following procedures, as well as general housekeeping duties

13. Forms other related duties as assigned by supervisors.

To function effectively as a member of the surgery center team.

Participates as a team member in planning and implementation of patient care.

Takes responsibility for an adequate patient load and reviews schedule for next day.

Reports for work in a timely manner and maintains good attendance record.

Shows flexibility in accommodating a schedule and facility changes, i.e. working late or early, changing workdays, locations, etc.

Utilizes time effectively.

Organizes work effectively and appropriately to finish in a timely manner, and demonstrates the ability to produce results.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with other team members. Monitors surgery schedule continually, communicating arrivals, cancellations, delays; communicates with reception desk, contacts patients or surgeons who are late.

Demonstrates interest and enthusiasm towards work

Contributes to increased morale and positive attitude in department and facility.

Demonstrates the ability to accept challenge.

Requires minimal supervision in daily tasks.

Reports pertinent information to Charge Nurse.

Provides assistance to team members, physicians, and anesthesia personnel as needed (i.e. reliability, working relations, initiative and training needs)

Reviews physicians preference cards and updates as needed.

Assists in stocking, preparation, and waste management of supplies.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

To support Continuous Quality Improvement activities.

Participates in on-going committees and other educational programs to enhance patient care.

Makes post-operative phone calls, assessing patient status and reporting any pertinent information to supervisor and or anesthesiologist.

Utilizes critical thinking and problem solving skills, making suggestions fro improvement.

Performs and documents daily assignments, including general housekeeping and maintenance of work environment.

Develops communication skills and promotes inter-departmental relationships to ensure continuity of care.

Maintains current CPR certification.

2. OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

1. Utilizes specialized nursing knowledge, nursing process and discriminative judgment while giving direct or indirect care.

2. Recognizes legal and policy limits of individual practice.

3. Recognizes importance of teamwork.

4. Respects patient rights to privacy, dignity and confidentiality.

5. Provides a safe, efficient and supportive patient atmosphere.

6. Assesses physical and emotional needs of patients and implements appropriate nursing interventions.

7. Monitors the activities of non-professional nursing personnel.

8. Is cognizant of health care cost.

9. Maintains accurate records of controlled substance.

10. Attends all staff meetings and in-service programs.

11. Is knowledgeable of an in compliance with administrative, medical, and nursing policies and procedures.

12. Reports and completes appropriate forms for incident to patient, visitors and employees.

13. Reports to supervisor needed repairs or maintenance of equipment or building. In the absence of supervisor, notifies the appropriate repair service and follows up to be certain the problem is resolved.

14. Participates in regular monitoring of supplies.

15. Is responsible for organization and neatness of work area.

16. Assists with housekeeping tasks.

17. Documents physician orders.

18. Is knowledgeable and responsive to emergency situations (i.e. cardiac arrest, malignant hyperthermia, drug reaction, etc.)

19. Participates in the Quality Improvement process and activities including the areas of safety, infection control, patient education/teaching, documentation, adherence to guidelines for cleaning /decontamination of the facility, adherence to guidelines for sterilization of instruments and supplies, patient satisfaction, physician satisfaction, compliance with OSHA standards and risk management.

20. Demonstrates competency in performing job tasks and in operating equipment on and annual basis.

21. Possesses clinical skills necessary to provide quality care to all patient age populations.

22. Performs all other duties assigned by supervisor.

3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSETS

1. Care and caution when handling equipment.

2. Conservative use of supplies.

3. Responsible for equipment, supplies and medication.

4. Support trial implementations of new and less costly supplies and equipment.

4. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

1. Immediate Supervisor: Charge Nurse

2. Positions to be Supervised: Technicians and Front Desk Personnel delegated

5. CONTACT WITH OTHERS

1. Internal: Staff in clinical, administrative services and front office.

2. External: Physicians, Allied Health Professionals, patients and families, representatives of medical industry, billing and business office.

6. POSITION CHARACTERISTICS

It is necessary to perform some overtime apart from regular scheduled work hours to provide patient care, because of the nature of the patient care and the pace in the pre/post-operative care unit, this job can be stressful and hectic.

7. POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Physical and mental- requires extensive mobility, walking and standing, 90-100% of the time spent pushing, pulling, lifting equipment; lifting, turning, and assisting patients. Potential exist for exposure to blood and body fluids as well as other hazardous materials. Personal protective equipment should be utilized as needed. Must be able to analyze, problem solve, and make decisions quickly and calmly. Must be able to work independently as well as within a team. Must have through knowledge of nursing theory and excellent patient assessment skills. Must present professional image. Must be willing to take responsibility and maintain accountability. Must possess good organizational and excellent communication skills as well as flexibility. Must have ability toprioritize and handle periods of stress. Requires respect for the confidential nature of the work environment.

8. POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

The Pre/Intra/Post-operative Staff Nurse must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing, currently licensed to practice nursing. The successful candidate must have the ability to work independently as well as function within a team; have the ability to asses patient needs, determine priorities, plan and direct pre/post-operative care of the patient; present good public relation skills; and posses the ability to handle stress. Experience and cardiac monitored nursing care are preferred. CPR is mandatory and ACLS will be required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $33.00 - $36.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Physical setting:

• Clinic
• Outpatient

Standard shift:

• Day shift

Supplemental schedule:

• Holidays

Weekly schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Required)

License/Certification:

• RN License (Required)

Work Location: In person