Provides direct and indirect patient care of the perioperative patient in a therapeutic manner focusing on a multidisciplinary approach. Assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimum patient care. (Code of ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, ANA, 2001) Apply critical thinking and professional judgment when following the five rights of delegation: The right task, the right circumstances, the right person, the right directions and communication, and the right supervision and evaluation. (Reference: The Principles for Delegation ANA and NCSBN, 2006) Acts in compliance with hospital, patient care policies/ procedures and the State of Indiana Nurse Practice Act. The RN is able to render care in accordance with their skills, ability, and competencies to our patient population.

Education:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (AND/ASN) Required, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) Preferred

Certifications/Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year experience in Surgical Services within the last two years in a hospital setting. At least 2 years’ experience in nursing in a clinical setting preferred.
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Indiana
• BLS Certification must be maintained
• Practice appropriate telephone and patient triage skills managing inbound and outbound follow-up calls while being aware of the need to balance quality care with efficient use of time and resources.
• Perform verbal assessment with patient prior to admission – in person or via telephone, communicating information to appropriate team members
• Ensure pre-operative care requirements of patients are accomplished through the use of the nursing process including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation
• Perform patient teaching/education as established by the department.
• Assess pertinent information, plan, implement and document interventions and evaluate results.
• Maintain and promote patient’s safety by assessing physical and psychological needs
• Provide general health information.
• Refer caller to appropriate resources including medical care, hospital services and community services within established procedures and guidelines.
• Thoroughly document all call encounters utilizing manual and or on-line information systems at the time of the call.
• Alert anesthesia of results of labs, physical assessment or special needs of individual with medical problems prior to the date of surgery.
• Use effective communication techniques which adhere to common standards of courtesy.
• Answerer inquiries in a timely and helpful manner.
• Communicate arrival time and NPO instructions to patients as prescribed.
• Seek educational resources and create learning experiences to enhance and maintain current knowledge and skills for his or her continuing competence in nursing practice, and individual professional growth.
• Delegates nursing care activities to members of the nursing team based on patient care needs and competencies of available nursing staff as necessary.
• Communicates information appropriately with Medical Staff and other members of the health care team to promote continuity of care and attainment of patient expected outcomes.
• Acting as patient advocate
• Adapts teaching to the educational level and cognition state of each patient to promote maximum understanding.
• Communicates effectively with the Charge Nurse, Manager and Director to ensure that problems or opportunities to improve unit activities are addressed.
• Consistently provides outstanding service to all patients, physicians, fellow employees, and guests as appropriate to position.
• Document nursing care completely, accurately, and legibly.
• Actively participates in department committees and group meetings with a focus on providing input to improve the quality of services.
• Consistently demonstrates behavior which reflects that working as a team is more important than self-interest.
• Protects confidentiality of patients/co-workers, respecting their dignity, privacy, and differences
• Attitude - Provides highest quality service and meeting customers' needs with utmost kindness, care, compassion, courtesy, empathy, respect and friendliness. Always acknowledges and serves customers with a friendly, open smile and direct eye contact.
• Appearance - Takes pride in personal appearance, the facility and its surroundings.
• Commitment to Coworkers - Recognizes we are linked to one another by a common purpose; serving our patients and our community, that we are team members with our physicians and co-workers, and that we each deserve respect and support.
• Communication - Listens attentively to our customers to fully understand needs. Pays close attention to both verbal and non-verbal communication. Is committed to exceeding customers' expectations and providing more than what is expected.
• Customer Waiting - Provides prompt service, keeps customers informed regarding the time in which the service will be performed and makes customers comfortable while they are waiting.
• Privacy – Maintains customer privacy and confidentiality
• Responsiveness - Acknowledges every approaching patient or family member. Responds in a way that demonstrates the care, courtesy and respect our customers deserve.
• Safety Awareness - Ensures an accident-free environment. Establishes, promotes and monitors a proactive innovative approach to enhance hospital and patient safety. Adheres to and ensures compliance with Joint commission Patient Safety Goals and hospital safety policies.
• Sense of Ownership - Demonstrates a sense of ownership in their job, takes pride in what they do, and how they do it. Accepts responsibility for and is in control of the job that needs to be done
• Team Member is accountable for areas of responsibility meeting regulatory requirements including but not limited to maintaining annual TB testing, completing annual mandatories (ALC and competency), and maintaining current registration/certification/licensures as appropriate to position requirements.