Operating Room Nurse

Job Title:

Preoperative and Postoperative Care Nurse

Department:

Surgical Services

Reports To:

Director of Surgical Services

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Position Summary:

The Preoperative and Postoperative Care Nurse collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to deliver patient care, utilizing the nursing process. This role provides professional nursing care to patients, including conducting nursing assessments, assisting with exams and treatment, patient education, and maintenance of medical records.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Delivers safe and appropriate care to patients, according to the nursing skills inventory and the age and needs of the patient/population served.
2. Coordinates the planning for the delivery of nursing care with an interdisciplinary team and administers appropriate clinical decisions in the delivery of patient care.
3. Collaborates with, directs and may delegate to the healthcare team in the attainment of positive outcomes based on data, research, evidence, and professional standards of care.
4. Responsible for checking and maintaining crash cart and malignant hyperthermia cart at the beginning of shift.
5. Ensures that all supplies are stocked and organized.
6. Ensures Pre-op Checklist is complete (H&P present, informed consent signed, test results present, surgical site identified, etc.) before patient is taken into surgical suite.
7. Responsible for identifying patient's name, DOB, allergies, and medical history.
8. Responsible for ensuring all allergy band and ID bracelet is on correctly.
9. Responsible for ensuring all operative informed consents are signed by patient and physician.
10. Ensure that all surgical orders are correct and placed in charts (no abbreviations).
11. Initiate intravenous line and fluids according to surgical orders, or anesthesia orders.
12. Answer patient questions within the scope of practice and ensure they are kept comfortable.
13. Monitor patient for condition changes and report to physician.
14. Ensure all preoperative labs, diagnostic testing are complete and placed in chart for physician review.
15. Coordinate with med-surg unit on all inpatients that are due to be received for surgery.
16. Coordinate with surgical scheduling on all outpatient procedures and prior to date of surgery responsible for pre-assessment calls to patient.
17. Coordinate with Circulating RN on counting narcotics each morning prior to surgery.
18. Adhere to policies regarding types of anesthesia received by patient: ie General (1 hour), MAC (15 Min), TIVA (30 min), Local (1 set of stable vitals).
19. Ensure monitoring equipment is functioning.
20. Coordinates with anesthesiologist for post-op medication management and pain management.
21. Ensures all discharge orders are correct, in order, and signed by physician.
22. Ensure safe transport to discharge location: whether it is to nursing unit or to vehicle with family for outpatient procedures.
23. Keep PACU bays adequately stocked with anticipated supplies needed.
24. Responsible for checking suction equipment and ensure function ability.
25. Maintain recovery record charting and charges.
26. Be able to recognize emergency situations, coordinate with anesthesia and physician, and handle in a calm proficient manner.
27. Will be required to take on-call and work after the regular schedule as needed.
28. Perform other duties as assigned

Safety/Infection Control:

Demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to regulations and policies and procedures pertaining to safety, emergency preparedness, infection control, OSHA, fire safety and hazardous materials

Performance Improvement:

Participate in performance improvement activities as necessary

Customer Service:

Maintain confidentiality of patient related issues and adhering to all HIPAA rules and regulations.

Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills

Treat all patients, visitors, and staff members fairly and with respect

Utilize effective communication methods and skills

Explain all procedures, treatments, and care while remaining aware of language barriers

Able to perform care in non-judgmental manner and recognize discrepancies between patient and personal beliefs

Company Policy:

Ensure personal appearance is business casual and professional at all times

Responsible for wearing identification badge at all times which must be visible and above the waistline

Attend all required meetings and in-service education

Remain flexible in staffing patterns and resolution of staffing conflicts; participates in temporary assignments

Compliance with attendance standards

Demonstrate flexibility when changes in assignments are necessary

Qualifications:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Current Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Texas.

Minimum of one (1) year work experience in the operating room.

Maintains professional growth and development though seminars, workshops, and professional affiliation to keep abreast of the latest trends in the field of expertise

Completes annual educational requirements

LANGUAGE/MATH/REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Basic computer skills

CERTIFICATE/LICENSES:

BLS

ACLS will need to be obtained within 30 days of DOH

Competencies:

Professional Maturity: The ability to separate emotional feelings from the real issues at hand

Responsibility: The ability to accept choices you have made and the results they have led to

Communication: The ability to write and speak effectively; actively listens to others, and give feedback

Flexibility: Demonstrate responsiveness and adaptability following change initiatives

Intelligence: Understand information and apply new knowledge

Energetic: Exhibits high levels of energy and enthusiasm

Organized: Efficient in structuring tasks to be accomplished

Computer Savvy: The ability to use technology efficiently and effectively

Customer Service: The ability to enhance customer satisfaction

Job Knowledge/Technical Knowledge: Knowledgeable of current role and technical systems, and the impact it has on the organization

Integrity and Respect : Demonstrates upmost level of integrity

Interpersonal Communication: Writes and speaks effectively based on the psychological, relational, situation, environmental and cultural dynamics within the situation

Collaboration and Partnership: Encourages participation from team members

Manages Change: Demonstrates flexibility with changing environments

Problem Solving: Resolve issues in a timely manner

Attention to Detail : Follows procedures to ensure entry of data

Organization : Uses time efficiently by prioritizing and planning work activities

Judgment : Ability to make independent decisions

Teamwork : Works with others to accomplish objectives and shows support for decisions

Quality: Sets high standards to ensure quality in work performed

Accountability: Takes responsibility for adhering to all company policies, procures, and performance expectations

Physical Demands:

The physical demands for this position include: adequate vision, hearing, and repetitive motion

Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature

Ascending or descending stairs, ramps and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms

Substantial movements (motion) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers in a repetitive manner

Bending legs downward and forward by bending leg and spine

Work Environment:

Well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation

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