Surgical Services RN- OR 36 hours/wk

Description

JOB SUMMARY AND SCOPE

$2500. sign on bonus

The Surgical Services Registered Nurse (RN) plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive, high-quality patient care throughout the perioperative continuum. This includes preoperative preparation, intraoperative assistance as a circulating and scrub nurse, and postoperative care in both Phase I and Phase II recovery. The RN must be able to anticipate patient and surgical team needs, ensure adherence to safety protocols, and effectively communicate with all members of the perioperative team. This role also includes participating in an on-call rotation to respond to urgent and emergency surgical cases outside of standard operating hours.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Maine
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (required)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification (required for PACU, must be obtained within six months of hire)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification (required for PACU, must be obtained within six months of hire)
• Minimum of one year of experience in medical/surgical or perioperative nursing
• Proficiency in basic computer kills and electronic medical records (EMR) documentation
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification preferred

Essential Job Functions

Preoperative Responsibilities:

Conduct comprehensive patient assessments to evaluate readiness for surgery, including:

• Reviewing medical history, current medications, allergies, and potential risk factors
• Assessing baseline vital signs and overall health status
• Establishing and maintaining IV access as per physician orders
• Verify that all preoperative documentation is accurate and complete, including:
  • Surgical and anesthesia consents
  • History & Physical (H&P) reports
  • Relevant lab results and imaging studies
  • Provide patient education, explaining the surgical procedure, anesthesia plan, and postoperative expectations
  • Collaborate with the surgical team to address any concerns or last-minute changes in the surgical plan

Intraoperative Responsibilities:

• Function as a Circulating Nurse, ensuring a safe and sterile surgical environment:
  • Position and prepare the patient according to surgical needs
  • Maintain accurate sponge, needle, and instrument counts to prevent retained surgical items
  • Monitor sterile field integrity and assist the surgical team as needed
• Function as a Scrub Nurse, preparing and handling sterile instruments and supplies:
  • Anticipate surgeon’s needs and provide instruments efficiently
  • Ensure aseptic technique is maintained throughout the procedure
• Enforce surgical safety measures, including:
  • Proper patient identification, time-out procedures, and correct site verification
  • Protection from thermal, electrical, and positioning-related injuries
  • Proper specimen collection, labeling, and handling
• Assist in responding to emergencies intraoperatively, such as changes in patient condition, bleeding complications, or anesthesia-related issues

Postoperative Responsibilities (Phase I & Phase II Recovery):

• Monitor patients in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) following surgical procedures and anesthesia administration
  • Assess airway patency, respiratory status, hemodynamic stability, and pain control
  • Recognize and respond promptly to post-anesthesia complications, such as nausea, respiratory distress, or delayed awakening
  • Administer appropriate pain medications, antiemetics, and fluids as per post-op orders
• Provide emotional support and education to patients and their caregivers regarding post-surgical care, including:
  • Wound care instructions and activity restrictions
  • Pain management strategies
  • Follow-up appointments and discharge instructions
• Ensure safe patient transfers to inpatient units or facilitate discharge home when criteria are met
• Conduct postoperative call-backs to assess patient recovery and address any concerns

On-Call Responsibilities:

Participate in the surgical on-call rotation, responding to emergency surgical cases during evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays

· Arrive promptly when called in and assist in emergency procedures, including trauma, urgent c-sections, and unplanned surgical interventions

· Work efficiently under pressure, collaborating with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and other OR staff to ensure optimal patient outcomes

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA regulations
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and outcomes
• Attend required training sessions, meetings, and continuing education programs to stay current on best practices in perioperative nursing
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to enhance perioperative processes and efficiency
• Ensure compliance with infection control policies, hospital protocols, and safety standards
• Assist in mentoring and training new staff members or students as needed

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Frequent lifting of up to 35 lbs independently and pushing/pulling up to 100 lbs using mechanical assistance
• Extended periods of standing, walking, bending, and reaching
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills required to handle surgical instruments and equipment
• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, and chemicals (Category I risk level)
• Requires flexibility in scheduling and the ability to work extended shifts as needed
• Visual acuity correctable to 20/20. Color vision is necessary. Normal hearing acuity

EXPOSURE RISK

· Exposure Category I: Employee at risk for exposure to blood borne pathogens.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

· Maintains current knowledge of the hospital-wide Quality Improvement Program.

· Works with Director to implement appropriate quality improvements for the department.

· Quality initiative projects and methods for initiating, testing, data collection, analysis, and reporting the effectiveness of the project.

Establishes indicators to monitor departmental service in response to complaints, identified problems, variances, sentinel events, or new services as well as patient outcome-oriented indicators for high volume and/or high-risk services.

· Reports all Quality Improvement activities, measurements and results according to the established reporting structure.

· Participates in the annual review of the Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Program.

· Participates as a member of functional and/or process improvement team as appropriate to position or requested.

· Provides Quality Improvement orientation, training, and continuing education for all departmental staff.

· Involves all departmental staff members in the Quality Improvement Program’s plans and processes.

· Is accountable for identification and mitigation of risks and hazards within the department.

COMPLIANCE

· Adheres to the federal, state, and local statutes and regulations.

· Adheres to the Compliance Program policies and procedures of DECH/CCH.

· Adheres to all Privacy and Security policies and procedures of DECH/CCH. Communicates any concern related to compliance issues to manager of department or Compliance Officer.

Communicates any concern related to confidentiality issues to the Privacy Officer

• DECH is an equal opportunity employer.

-critical need