Staff Nurse Pre-Op

Summary
The Pre-Operative nurse provides direct patient care and utilizes the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation according to policies and procedures of the facility.   Understands safety hazards and use of equipment to prevent damage or harm to personnel and patients. He/she has the ability to function in assigned areas of POSC/POSCP as directed. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Reviews medical record for completeness of operative consent surgical orders, H&P, and diagnostic studies. Ensures medical records are in compliance with policy. 
• Greets, identifies, and admits patients in Pre-op holding area according to admitting routine.
• Provide physiological comfort and psychological support based on individual patient needs. 
• Perform appropriate diagnostic tests, i.e. Hgb, blood glucose, urine pregnancy test, EKG. Starts IV therapy and administers pre-operation medication, if applicable. 
• Assists anesthesiologist with pre-operative nerve block.
•  Assures all necessary supplies and emergency equipment is available and operational.
• Appropriately handles the disposal of biohazardous materials.
• Understands and performs proper technique of equipment in assigned work area.
• Adheres to POSC procedures, policies, and standards.
• Maintains area of Special Assignments.
• Responsible for training new employees.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies 

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Teamwork – Accountable to team, respectfully appreciate the view of team members, open to new ideas and responsibilities, communicate with team regarding overall patient care including using resources efficiently, working toward a positive patient experience.
• Customer Service – Works well with patients and/or Operating Room Staff, vendors, and physicians, by keeping them informed and promoting a positive image of the company.  Maintains confidentiality.
• Dependability – Meets deadlines, works independently, is punctual and has good attendance.  Identifies, troubleshoots, and solve daily situational problem that arise.   Identifies when to involve management appropriately. 
• Organizational Skills – Maintains efficient and organized workspace.   Manages time well.
• Technical Skills – Maintains current understanding of technical processes and equipment.  Uses technology to increase performance and productivity.
• Product Expertise - Knows products features, understands marketplace, shares expertise with others. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience 

• Graduate of accredited School of Nursing.
• Previous Pre-Operative experience preferred.
• ACLS and BLS certification required.  If not ACLS certified when hired, will obtain within three months of hire. This position requires involvement in preparation of State and AAAHC Surveys.        

Language Skills 

Ability to respond to common inquiries from patients, patient’s representative, and physicians. Ability to read and interpret diagnostic studies and medical records. Ability to read and interpret policies and procedures, and IFUs.   Ability to effectively present information to patients, patient’s representative, physicians, and regulatory agencies.   Ability to communicate in a second language is a plus.

Mathematical Skills 

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as weight, height, and medication dosing.

Reasoning Ability 

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written/oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving variables in situations, equipment and schedule changes.

Computer Skills 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of MS Word, including Outlook, and Advantix. Athena preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

• Georgia State's Board of Nursing Licensure - NCLEX, Certified
• American Heart Association's Certification - BLS Certified

Physical Demands 
 The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear.    The employee may be required to be on their feet much of the day, and may be required to push, pull, or tug patients on stretchers and in wheelchairs.  These duties can be stressful, as can dealing with injured people. There is potential exposure to anesthetic gases, hazardous chemicals, blood and body fluids, sharps, and cleaning solutions.  The employee frequently is required to move all extremities within full range of motion as well as stoop and bend at 90 degrees. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. This is a full-time position.  Workdays are Monday through Friday. This position may require long hours. 

Work Environment 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.