Registered Nurse - Surgical Services

Registered Nurse - Surgical Unit

Pioneers Medical Center

Reports to: Director of Surgery 

FLSA Status: Full-time Non-Exempt, Hourly

Pioneers Medical Center is a community-based healthcare facility focused on building life-long partnerships with our patients to empower them to achieve optimal health. In addition to our hospital and emergency facilities, we collaborate with leading physicians to provide local care for your cardiac, orthopedic, oncology, urology and internal medicine needs. We treat our patients like a valued family member. Whether for an emergency, serious illness, surgical procedure, lab test, radiology scan, chronic disease management, preventative care, home health service or long-term care and from infants to adults to seniors, we provide The Care You Count On.

Essential Functions

1. Serves as Circulating Nurse during a variety of standard surgical procedures, observing for and correcting breaks in aseptic technique, assisting the Surgeon outside the sterile field, and mixing and administering medications as ordered by the surgeon.
2. Guides the Surgical Technician in setting up and stripping down the operating room prior to and after surgery.
3. Collects pertinent information about individual patients which is essential to safe care during surgery.
4. Ensures that all consents necessary for the performance of surgery have been signed and that all prescribed identification procedures have been carried out.
5. Calculates patient's blood loss during surgery using prescribed methods.
6. Verifies sponge and needle count with Surgical Technician before surgery and before and after closure, and certifies that all are accounted for in line with established operating room procedures.
7. Completes records and reports in accordance with operating room procedure, including the identification and labeling of specimens.
8. Observes the patient before, during and after surgery and attends to such physical needs as those involving positioning or repositioning to facilitate circulation. Meets patient's emotional needs by providing him/her with reassurance or the opportunity to discuss his/her fears or by answering his/her questions and explaining the activities that are taking place.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Diploma, Associate, or Baccalaureate Degree graduate of an accredited school of nursing.  A current active Colorado RN license without restrictions is required. 
2. Current BLS certification is required. 
3. Exhibits knowledge of confidentiality principles.
4. Is knowledgeable of current trends in nursing practice.
5. Demonstrates honesty and integrity at all times.
6. Possesses appropriate interpersonal communication skills necessary to deal effectively with patients, families, hospital and medical staff, and visitors.
7. Must adhere to the standards and policies of the corporate compliance program, including the duty to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and report to a designated manager (or employer hotline) any suspected unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful acts or practices.
8. Adheres to the safety guidelines as outlined by the facility and reports unsafe equipment, areas, practices, etc., as required by policy.

Education and Experience

1. ACLS required within six months of date of employment or transfer.
2. Two (2) years minimum O.R. experience required.
3. Circulating Nurse Experience Prefered 

Personal

1. Understands and utilizes standard precautions.
2. Adheres to established dress code.  Presents a neat and well-groomed appearance.
3. Is present and punctual for all scheduled shifts.
4. Serves as a role model to ancillary staff.