PERIOPERATIVE NURSE

Position Summary:
Under the general supervision of the Surgical Services Supervisor, incumbent accomplishes the Surgical Services Department’s strategic objectives by providing strong clinical skills, being a team leader, preceptor, mentor, and active team membership. The Perioperative Registered Nurse is expected to uphold and set the example of professional conduct of the profession and consistently displays planning and organizing the assigned functions required to operate and maintain departmental activities and services. Incumbents will support and provide strong quality of care with evidence-based practice and best practices. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information. Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the OR and other areas of perioperative services for all patient populations.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
•    Promote the mission, vision, and values of Sage Memorial Hospital.
•    Perform procedures for which Registered Nurse has been trained according to written policies & procedures.
•    Assess patients at intervals stated in the Surgical Services policies and procedure.
•    Assists with maintaining compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances including accreditation with The Joint Commission (TJC).
•    Oversee patient care and delegated functions based upon the nursing process and in compliance with policies & procedures and standards of care.
•    Develop an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.
•    Implement the plan of care by:

• Protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources.

• Performing accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items.

• Performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level.

• Managing the patient’s specimens according to organizational policy and procedures.

• Communicating the patient’s status to relevant parties throughout the continuum of care.

• Administering medications safely and correctly.

• Performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels.

• Performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels.

• Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period.

• Performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection.

• Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person.

• Providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure.

• Involving the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care and the rehabilitation process.

• Protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy.

• Providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within the legal standards of practice.

• Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of setting.

•    Responsible for motivating, teaching, and assisting department staff members in providing skilled nursing care.
•    Ensure confidentiality of all patient information.
•    Evaluate the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes.
•    Display a professional spirit that fosters positive working relationships.
•    Transfer care as applicable.
•    Delegate tasks according to the Arizona Nurse Practice Act and applicable job descriptions.
•    Document nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly.
•    Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as applicable.
•    Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects.
•    Participate in the performance appraisal process.
•    Use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.
•    Maintain required competencies.
•    Pursue professional growth and participates in a professional organization.
•    Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
•    Translate diagnosis information into Navajo language or arrange for translation for patient.
•    Participate in training, infection control, patient safety, and fire safety in-services when indicated.
•    Accept and adapt to change in work area and/or work duties.
•    Will perform nursing chart reviews on a consistent basis to ensure patient care services are provided and documented by appropriately trained staff.
•    Collaborate with medical providers and other discipline resources in planning, implementing, and monitoring the provision of patient care services.
•    Practice infection control and patient safety procedures.
•    Attend nursing clinical staff meetings and trainings as appropriate. 
•    Maintain professional and technical knowledge by conducting research; attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
•    Provide “On-call” duties as assigned.
•    Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in nursing required; bachelor’s degree of Science in Nursing (BSN) strongly preferred.
• One (1) year of clinical experience in respective department.
• Current, unrestricted nursing license from the State of Arizona or another compact licensing state.
• Valid American Heart Association certification in ACLS and BLS.
• Certification in PALS and NRP are required within 90 days of hire. 

• Must successfully pass the Employee Health requirements (mask fit, immunizations), and Pre-Employment requirements (background investigation, drug screen).

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:

• Knowledge of effective principles and practices of education and development.
• Knowledge of nursing practice and patient care.
• Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures.
• Knowledge of clinical instruments and equipment.
• Knowledge in clinical departments assigned.
• Knowledge of appropriate procedures and standards for administering of medications and patient care.
• Knowledge of abnormal and normal cardiac monitor strips, including abnormalities or rate, or abnormally appearing complexes, of heart block.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mathematics.
• Ability to perform effective interpersonal skills and function at a high level of independence.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language both verbally and in writing with staff and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and demonstrate team-building skills with empathy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Familiarity with the Navajo Way.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to demonstrate excellence and continually seek improvement in outcomes.
• Ability to interpret applicable Tribal, federal, state laws, regulations, and requirements pertaining to the practice of Nursing.
• Ability to interpret TJC, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Arizona Department of Health (ADOH) regulations.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills, analyze problems, project consequences, identify solutions, and implement recommendations.

Physical Demands:

• Physically demanding, high-stress environment
• Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions
• Pushing and pulling heavy objects
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients
• Manual and finger dexterity
• Hand and eye coordination
• Standing and walking for extensive periods of time
• Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range
• Working under stressful conditions
• Working irregular hours including call hours

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in a clinical department with moderate noise level, where patient care is performed. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.