Perioperative Care Asst

Performs nonprofessional direct and indirect care activities under the supervision of a professional Registered Nurse. Assists in the provision of high quality, cost-effective care by performing delegated tasks. Performs preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative support activities to assist the nursing team caring for surgical/procedural patients which may include total care within the scope of practice (stable patient’s vital signs, activities of daily living) and the performance of point of care testing. This unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) role has limited access to medications including the transport of non-controlled substances at the request of a licensed care provider. May perform support activities to assist the Sterile Processing team within the assigned specialty/service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. High School diploma or equivalent required.

2. Successful completion of departmental clinical support or PCA orientation.

3. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support or HeartSaver First Aid within 30 days of hire date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE:

1. Prior patient care experience.

2. CNA or MA experience.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Performs preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative support activities to assist the nursing team caring for surgical/procedural patients which may include total care within scope of practice (stable patient’s vital signs, activities of daily living, promotion of comfort) and the performance of point of care tests. Reports changes in patient’s condition to a RN. Includes assisting personnel in obtaining supplies, instruments, and equipment for surgical/procedural cases.

2. Utilizes appropriate aseptic technique to open sterile supplies for patient use or for sterile field; performs shave preps; and holds extremities during surgical or procedural preps. Cleans and prepared work area for next patient and shift. 

3. Transports patients to and from various areas. Cleans transport devices. Assists with patient transfers and positioning. 

4. Retrieves/cleans patient care equipment. Runs errands as directed in timely manner.

5. Reviews stocking lists, preference cards, and supply carts to ensure/acquire supplies, instruments, and equipment are available for patient care use. Assists in the maintenance of inventory control system.

6. Maintains effective inventory control system including the daily stocking, checks for outdates (includes removal, discard, or reprocessing following established guidelines), and monitoring of level of supplies (i.e., case cart, trauma cart, suture packs) on supply/specialty carts/rooms. Places or returns supplies, instrumentation, and equipment to designated storage locations. Places unused sterile instrumentation and soft goods back in the appropriate location when being returned from Perioperative Services, HVI, or Children’s Hospital.

7. Assists in maintaining a clean, sanitary, and safe work environment in procedural areas and SPD through the maintenance of egress corridors by monitoring halls keeping them free of extra equipment allowing for easy equipment transportation; organization and cleaning of work areas, storerooms, patient bays, computers, and monitors; performance of post-case /post-care cleaning following established policies; performance of terminal and isolation cleaning if necessary including the daily/weekly cleaning of mobile fluid-waste equipment; cleaning/stocking of scrub sinks/housekeeping carts; weekly warmer cleaning with logged documentation; and cleaning of autoclaves as assigned.

8. Processes instruments/scopes when requested as the need arises. Prepares various cleaning solutions used in the decontamination of instruments, equipment, and rooms. Operates processing and cleaning equipment (i.e., washer/sterilizer or immediate use sterilizer known as IUS, and various other cleaning apparatus in OR, Sterile Processing, and other designated areas following established policies. Documents in designated log books completion of cleaning tasks. 

9. Wraps instruments and supplies for sterilization labeling appropriately with color appropriate labels. May be assigned the task of preparing/processing OR linen and sterile packs. 

10. Documents appropriately to foster the work of the department. Duties can include the obtainment and recording of patient weight, temperature, pulse, respirations, BP, intakes/outputs, and abdominal girths as directed by the nursing staff.

11. Transports specimens and records specimen delivery to lab or in designated log books. Add fixative to specimens when needed.

12. Provides respiratory support by properly setting up equipment needed for oxygen administration including the changing of tank regulators and checking of tank volumes.

13. Follows all departmental policies and procedures including the reporting of equipment/room repairs to appropriate persons in a timely manner. Performs tagging of equipment and putting in Biomed ticket for repair.

14. Assists in routine unit operations as directed/needed to ensure smooth communication and functioning of the unit. Relays accurate telephone, visitor, patient, and healthcare provider messages to appropriate persons in a timely manner.

15. Transports linens, trash, and biohazardous case carts/materials according to established policies wearing PPE and ensuring correct signage is in place prior to transport.

16. Assists with room or bay set-up. May monitor sterile field set-up when directed by registered nurse.

17. Assists team by performing tasks such as answering telephone and minor clerical duties in designated area.

18. Transports non-narcotic medications when directed by registered nurse. PCA may transport patient with a PCA/Epidural pump.

19. Cleans autoclaves in Sterile Processing and Operating Room/Procedural Areas. Cleans and organizes Sterile Processing areas as assigned. Cleans washers, cart washer, dryers, shelving, and other equipment as assigned in accordance with Manufacturer’s recommendation and departmental policy.

20. Processes instruments between cases (wash and sterilize by heat or cold sterilization) as the need arises. Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of various equipment and supplies in designated areas. Monitors halls keeping them free of extra equipment allowing for easy equipment transportation. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 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.

1. Must be physically capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.

2. No known history or malignant hyperthermia (may not be waived).

3. Must be capable of lifting up to 60 pounds and pushing heavy loaded carts weighing more than 200 pounds. Able to transport patients on stretchers, in wheelchairs, or in cribs

4. Must be able to discern and distinguish colors for point of care testing and inventory monitoring.

5. Must possess visual and hearing acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.

6. Demonstrates ability to utilize PPE.

WORKING 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.

1. Work is completed in direct patient care environment.

2. Work area supports the activities of multiple providers performing parallel processing.

3. Must be able to work in a high stress environment.

4. Exposed to communicable diseases, body fluids, and chemicals.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Must understand and practice excellent personal hygiene

2. Must be able to operate computer program with training.

3. Must have ability to follow directions both written and verbal (i.e., proficient reading and writing English language), and work with people.

4. Demonstrates team-building communications and work efforts to assist healthcare providers.

5. Demonstrates skills needed to utilize Safe Patient Handling equipment.

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