POSITION SUMMARY:
This position contributes to the fulfillment of Thayer County Health Services vision and mission by exercising appropriate nursing judgment based on knowledge, skills and understanding in nursing situations, participates in planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care, is involved in a quality assurance program to provide optimal patient care in the surgical setting.

• Maintains current CPR, ACLS, and NRP certifications.
• Must have good communication skills.
• RN license required, Bachelor's degree and one year experience preferred.

• Performs nursing care and services for patients such as observing and recording signs and symptoms, administering sterile treatments, using and caring for special equipment, and assisting with recovery of patients, according to medical and/or nursing plan.
• Prepares, administers and documents oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous medications; observes site of insertion, rate of flow in IV’s and discontinues IV’s.
• Assists physicians, nurses and others as required; responsible for total patient care of patients assigned and delegation of duties to appropriate personnel as necessary.
• Performs duties in care and cleaning of surgery area and equipment after use, prepare and sterilize patient instruments and supplies, keep utility and service rooms in order.
• Observes, records, and reports to the appropriate persons, general and specific physical and mental conditions of patients, and signs and symptoms which may be indicative of change.
• Performs selected procedures and treatments, provides nursing care in Pre-op Area, Operating Room and Recovery Room following demonstration of competence.
• Participates in planning care for patients utilizing physician orders, instructions, established standards, nursing techniques, policies and procedures.
• Promotes patient education and assists in teaching patient health maintenance and self-care.
• Studies and evaluates trends and developments in nursing practices with thought of their adaptability to the specific needs.
• Assumes responsibility for accuracy of procedures, documentation and maintenance of high standards of nursing care. Maintains accurate and complete records.
• Verifies electronically placed provider orders in a timely manner.
• Assists, implements, and evaluates surgical patient care.
• Assists in training and orientation of new employees.
• Performs and delegates pre-authorization in the absence of prior authorization specialist for all surgical procedures prior to surgery date and verifies and updates surgery schedule as necessary.
• Participates in Quality Assurance, committees where requested/needed, attends in-service programs, staff and employee meetings and required educational trainings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Recognizes and has a commitment to meet the ethical, moral and legal obligations of nursing.
• Maintains and promotes good health practices.
• Will conform to TCHS procedures and policies.
• Will perform all duties as described by the job description within the scope of licensure.
• Maintains current professional license in accordance with state law.
• Provides leadership in medical concerns in the absence of the physician.
• Does not discuss patient matters such as medical treatment, diagnosis or history outside of the clinical setting in; keeping in compliance of HIPAA.
• Understand and comply with the requirements of Thayer County Health Services’ Compliance Program, including, but not limited to, the Code of Conduct, the Compliance Manual, all supporting policies for compliance and compliance plans.
• Participate in all education and training programs regarding compliance as required by organizational policy and as requested by supervisor.
• Demonstrates formal greetings with patients, visitor and TCHS staff.
• Willingly accepts new responsibilities and cooperates with implementation of change.
• Dresses in a neat, clean uniform for patient care; maintains high personal hygiene standards.

• Indoor, smoke free, patient care environment.
• Frequent contact with bio hazardous materials and communicable diseases.
• Much walking, bending, stooping, lifting, and standing required.
• Holiday, weekend and weekday call rotation.
• Health care workers who prepare or administer hazardous drugs or who work in areas where these drugs are used may be exposed to these agents in the air or on work surfaces, contaminated clothing, medical equipment, patient excreta, and other surfaces. Studies have associated workplace exposures to hazardous drugs with health effects such as skin rashes and adverse reproductive outcomes (including infertility, spontaneous abortions, and congenital malformations) and possibly leukemia and other cancers. The health risk is influenced by the extent of the exposure and the potency and toxicity of the hazardous drug. Due to these risks, all pharmacy staff are required to be fitted annually for a filtered respirator.