Registered Nurse Surgical Services

Job Summary

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. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization
• Assesses patients at intervals as stated in policies and procedures.
• Develops an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.
• Implements the plan of care by:
  1. protecting the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal sources and extraneous objects.
  2. performing accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items.
  3. performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level.
  4. managing the patient’s specimens in the appropriate manner.
  5. communicating the patient’s status to the appropriate parties throughout the continuum of care.
  6. administering medications safely and correctly.
  7. performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels.
  8. 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.
  9. performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period.
  10. performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection.
  11. assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person.
  12. providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure.
  13. actively involving the patient or designated support person in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care and the rehabilitation process.
  14. protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy.
  15. providing culturally and age-appropriate, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and
  16. providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.
• Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes.
• Transfers care as appropriate. 
• Delegates tasks as appropriate according to the state Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions. 
• Documents nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly.
• Collaborates effectively with other disciplines as appropriate.
• Participates in quality review and performance improvement projects.
• Uses problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.
• Maintains required competencies.
• Pursues professional growth and participates in a professional organization.
• Acts as a patient advocate and maintains privacy and confidentiality of all appropriate information.
• Covers on-call duties as assigned
• Actively participates with new surgical services employee orientation and training
• Follows all facility and departmental policies and procedures
• Charge nurse duties as assigned

Non-Essential Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Roosevelt General Hospital (RGH) is committed to providing safe, quality care to patients.  Employees are required to adhere to the Values of RGH.

 Integrity 

• We are committed to honesty and ethical principles, where our words and actions reflect our dedication to fostering strong relationships and maintaining professional credibility. 
• We take accountability for our actions and their impact on others, consistently honoring our commitments and upholding moral standards and values in every situation. 

Learning 

• We promote personal growth and professional excellence by embracing continuous learning through training, mentorship, and constructive feedback. 
• We foster a collaborative culture driven by curiosity and critical thinking, encouraging staff to ask questions, seek answers, and share knowledge. 

Innovation 

• We confidently embrace changes in technology, processes, and practices, encouraging strategic risk-taking and creativity to enhance healthcare delivery, patient safety, and the quality of care. 
• We collaborate with partners from other hospitals, academic institutions, industry leaders, and community organizations to promote continuous improvement and remain at the forefront of advancing healthcare outcomes. 

Kindness 

• We engage in open communication with patients, families, and colleagues to understand their needs and concerns, while respecting their differences and upholding their dignity. 
• We foster a nurturing environment where individuals feel supported, understood, and valued, strengthening relationships, promoting growth, and enhancing the overall well-being of all. 

Excellence 

• We strive to be a model rural healthcare facility, setting high standards in healthcare delivery and ensuring exceptional patient satisfaction within the communities we serve. 
• We take pride in our accountability and fiscal responsibility, skillfully balancing costs and outcomes to guarantee that superior patient care is always delivered. 

Unity 

• We collaborate across departments and disciplines to deliver effective and compassionate healthcare, working alongside patients, families, and community partners to ensure seamless coordination of care and achieve our common goals of wellness and healing. 
• We prioritize open communication and mutual respect, empowering our teams to collaborate effectively by acknowledging and celebrating the unique contributions and strengths of each individual.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
• Current registered nurse licensure in the state of New Mexico
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or must be obtained within thirty (30) days of hire
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
• Two Years perioperative services experience preferred
• Certified Nurse, Operating Room (CNOR) certification preferred

Professional Requirements

• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. 
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wear identification while on duty.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations. 
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicate the mission, ethics and goals of the organization.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions  

• Working regular hours including call hours and weekends as required
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment
• Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions
• Pushing and pulling heavy objects
• Manual and finger dexterity
• Hand and eye coordination 
• Standing and walking for extensive periods of time
• Functional range of body motion including handling and lifting patients 

• Position requires light to moderate work with 50 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry.
• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.