Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgery Center

Job Description:
POSITION: Surgery Center RN
DEPARTMENT: Surgery Center
REPORTS TO: Director, Surgery Center/Charge Nurse
REVIEWED BY: Director, Surgery Center and Human Resources
STATUS: Non-Exempt
REVIEW CATEGORY: Clinical Patient Care
REVISION DATE: 03/01/2020
SUPERCEDES: 01/01/2011
POSITION SUMMARY: Renders professional nursing services in the treatment and care of patients while adhering to surgery center policy. Provides nursing care in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of patient visit.
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Standard:

• Supports the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Organization.
  
  • Supports, and performs according to approved policies and procedures.
  • Participates as a team member in support of the total perioperative process.
  • Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.
• Contributes to the progress and development of the approved Quality Improvement Program.
  
  • Supports risk management and participate in programs directed to patient and staff safety.
  • Contributes to the quality improvement process; identify role and contributions to functional teams; participates in data collection.
  • Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances, and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.
• Communicates effectively with patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers.
  
  • Interactions are respectful and courteous.
  • Communicates effectively and professionally using translator when necessary.
  • Documents that information received from the patient is disseminated to the appropriate people or departments.
  • Verifies patient and procedure according to established policies.
• Maintains and promotes professional competence through continuing education and other learning experiences.
  
  • Participates in committees, conferences, and quality management activities.
  • Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.
  • Objectively evaluates suggestions or criticisms and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance as needed.
  • Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations.
  • Attends and actively participates in meetings, committees, in-services, drills, and conferences according to job responsibilities and Facility requirements.
  • Assists with orientation and training of new personnel and acts as a resource person for patient care problems.
  • Organizes and participates in orientation and staff development program to meet facilities needs.
  • Demonstrates growth and development by accepting responsibility and accountability for ones own practice.
• Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.
  
  • Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and noncompliance according to Facility policy.
  • Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities; enforces compliance with safety and security policies and procedures.
  • Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure.
• Interacts appropriately with various age groups.
  
  • Accurately assesses and interprets age-specific patient data.
  • Accurately interprets age-specific patient responses to questions and instructions.
  • Involves the patient’s family/significant other in decision-making about the patient’s care.
  • Provides care appropriate to the patient’s age group.
  • Accurately applies knowledge of growth and development.
  • Considers age-specific patient requirements when responding to emergency situations.
• Exhibits computer systems knowledge and proficiency as necessary to perform job functions.
• Demonstrates the attitudes and behaviors of The South Bend Clinic Service Standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned when appropriate.
• Adheres to HIPAA guidelines set forth in Clinic policies and procedures.

PACU RN:

• Effectively organizes time, equipment, supplies, and personnel for management of PACU.
  
  • Organizes nursing activities efficiently, considers staff abilities when delegating activities.
  • Uses equipment effectively by anticipating patient needs and providing necessary care.
  • Confirms that proper techniques and procedures are used according to accepted standards of practice.
  • Assists in inventory of supplies, drugs, and equipment to maintain availability and stock levels in postoperative areas.
  • Considers cost-effectiveness in the provisions of care.
  • Maintains order and cleanliness of postoperative areas.
• Performs safe and individualized nursing care for the patient in the immediate postoperative/post anesthesia period.
  
  • Assesses and documents the patient’s physical and emotional status upon arrival in the PACU.
  • Documents post anesthesia care and identity of second person in the PACU during the patient’s recovery from anesthesia/sedation according to approved policies and procedures.
  • Provides nursing care to meet patient needs related to surgical condition and type of anesthesia administered.
  • Monitors patients and informs surgeon or anesthetist of observed complications.
  • Documents post-operative pain according to policies and procedures.
  • Discharges patient following established criteria.

Pre Op/Post Phase 2 RN:

• Effectively organizes time, equipment, supplies, and personnel.
  
  • Organizes nursing activities efficiently, considers staff abilities when delegating activities.
  • Uses equipment effectively by anticipating patient needs and providing necessary care.
  • Confirms that proper techniques and procedures are used according to accepted standards of practice.
  • Assists in inventory of supplies, drugs, and equipment to maintain availability and stock levels in pre and postoperative areas.
  • Considers cost-effectiveness in the provisions of care.
  • Maintains order and cleanliness of postoperative areas.
• Performs thorough preoperative patient assessment required by the outpatient setting.
  
  • Assists in assessing the physical and emotional status of the patient upon admission according to facility policy.
  • Develops a plan for patient care based on assessment data; implements and documents preoperative care according to facility policy.
  • Informs patient and family about routine care and procedures related to the perioperative experience.
  • Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient and supports the patient’s right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
  • Starts IV’s as ordered by physician.
  • Verifies all physician orders and current H & P are on chart.
• Performs safe and individualized nursing care for the patient in the immediate postoperative period.
  
  • Assesses and documents the patient’s physical and emotional status upon arrival in the postoperative area.
  • Documents post operative care and identity of second person in the postoperative area during the patient’s recovery from anesthesia/sedation according to approved policies and procedures.
  • Provides nursing care to meet patient needs related to surgical condition and type of anesthesia administered.
  • Documents post-operative pain according to policies and procedures.
  • Reviews post-op instructions and prescriptions from the physician with patient and significant others and documents in the patient’s medical record.
  • Discharges patient following established criteria.
  • Monitors proper storage and recordkeeping of medications.

OR RN:

• Organizes time, equipment, supplies, and staff to provide effective case management.
  
  • Supervises and directs patient care in a single operating room.
  • Uses equipment effectively by anticipating patient needs and providing necessary care.
  • Considers cost-containment by using supplies economically and in effective turn over time.
  • Assists with supply, drug, and equipment inventories to maintain stock level availability.
• Addresses patient needs during admission to the operating room with attention to requirements specific to the outpatient setting.
  
  • Transports patients to the operating room according to facility policy, safety requirements, and patient needs.
  • Identifies the patient and correct surgical intervention according to facility policy and communicates with all surgical team members.
  • Reviews the patient’s medical records and needs to plan care with other health care team members.
  • Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient, maintains patient’s privacy and dignity.
  • Explains intraoperative phase routine procedures and care to the patient.
  • Maintains and updates instruments cards and surgeons preference cards.
• Performs the circulating nurse’s function adhering to approved operating room procedures for the scheduled procedure.
  
  • Prepares operating room according to the procedure to be performed and patient needs.
  • Assembles and provides properly functioning equipment, supplies, and instruments before start of procedure; positions and adjusts equipment as required during the procedure. Tags malfunctioning equipment and notifies management.
  • Anticipates needs of the surgical team, assists anesthesia staff by supporting the patient during administration of anesthesia.
  • Assist with proper and safe positioning of the patient and prepares the operative site as directed by established procedure.
  • Monitors compliance with principles of aseptic technique according to accepted standards.
  • Assists with identification and confirmation of operative site.
  • Provides continuity of patient care by communicating with others perioperative care personnel and documenting records appropriately.
  • Provides for comfort in the physical environment by monitoring designated parameters such as room temperature, sensory stimuli traffic and noise level.
  • Initiates corrective action when breaks in sterile techniques occur.
  • Adheres to dress code policy in intra-operative areas.
  • Follow policies for sponge, sharp counts, and initiate action if counts are incorrect.
  • Administer medication according to policy.
  • Communicate and document administration of medicine and solutions according to policy, including medications error.
  • Perform daily checks.
  • Monitor proper storage and recordkeeping of medications.
• Responds in a timely manner to meet the needs of the patient and physician.
  
  • Accurately comprehends and interprets verbal orders and direction.
  • Documents patient care records and other forms accurately according to facility policy.
  • Accurately advises others responsible for patient care about the patient’s status.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education/Certification/License:
Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Current RN license in the State of Indiana. Must possess current BLS and ACLS.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must be knowledgeable of safe and effective operation of a variety of specialized equipment specific to the perioperative area. Must be able to read and interpret orders. Must have the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with patients, families, staff, and physicians. Must be able to calculate figures and amounts.
Special Demands/Requirements:
None. Works in a patient care/operating room environment which required physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands and certain undesirable patient care activities and possible exposure to biohazards. Work schedule may vary to meet need of the SurgiCenter.
ADA JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Physical Demands: Climbing/Balancing/Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling/Reaching/Standing/Walking/Pushing/Pulling/Lifting/Fingering/Grasping/Feeling/Talking/Hearing/Repetitive Motions
Physical Requirements: Medium Work - Exerting up to 50lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 20lbs of force frequently, and/or up to 20lbs of force constantly to move objects.
Visual Acuity: Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading.
Environmental Conditions: The worker is subject to extreme noise level and/or viration of extremities or whole body./The worker is subject to hazards including moving mechanical parts, electricity, high places, or chemicals.