Registered Nurse RN - Open Heart

Cardiovascular Operating Room Registered Nurse

This position is responsible for assessing the needs of each patient before and during a surgical procedure and maintains patient safety. The RN outlines individual care plans, implements, evaluates and documents care of patient during surgical procedures. Provides leadership to the OR team. Communicates with the patient and family, OR team, supervisor, manager and ancillary departments. Participates in staff development through preceptorship and continuing education.

Responsibilities include assessing the needs of the surgical patient and developing a plan of care specific for that patient. Implements and evaluates the plan of care during the procedure and makes necessary adjustments keeping patient safety a priority. Supervises activity in the room. Anticipates and coordinates any schedule changes for the room. Assembles equipment and supplies. Assists anesthesia as necessary. Monitors sterile field. Communicates with patient, family, physician, OR team, supervisor/manager, and ancillary departments. Participates in staff development by attending in-services, educational meetings, staff meetings, and other meetings/seminars for educational opportunity along with leadership and growth opportunity.

Other duties and responsibilities include demonstrating a positive, courteous and helpful attitude toward the patient, visitors, physicians and co-workers. Demonstrating ability to fill varying roles as necessary. Demonstrating the ability to interpret information and reports pertinent data to the physician, including pertinent clinical information. Assessing learning needs of the patient considering readiness, ability, preferences, and cultural / spiritual variables. Providing education to meet the individual patient needs and ability to learn. Developing and maintaining good working rapport with interdisciplinary personnel to meet the needs of each patient. Possessing a thorough knowledge of normal pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative routine. Able to recognize deficiencies in routine and correct. Demonstrating a good basic knowledge of anesthetic agents and their side effects/complications. Possessing thorough knowledge of individual physician preference. Demonstrating appropriate communication and assessment skills with both family and patient. Seeking assistance of necessary support services to guarantee appropriate home care. Completing appropriate charting and documentation according to policy, standards, and procedures. Fulfilling on-call responsibilities and extra shift coverage as needed. Demonstrating assessment of pain, promoting comfort through required intervention, and documenting accordingly. Demonstrating the ability to organize and prioritize. Demonstrating effective leadership skills when in the operative suite daily with other operating team members and maintaining good effective communication. Demonstrating a general ability to manage assignments and perform routine duties in the department. Instructing other team members when appropriate, explaining goals and rationale for individualized care. Implementing clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies and procedures. Demonstrating understanding of clinical pathways and utilizing appropriately. Remaining calm and efficient when working in stressful situations. Documenting in an accurate, clear, and concise way and including pertinent clinical data. Sharing information and reporting significant changes and/or abnormal findings to appropriate team members and physicians. Participating in regulatory surveys. Participating in the performance improvement activities. Assisting with orientation and ongoing competencies. Providing a safe and secure environment for patient care. Attending and participating in professional association activities and programs to assure being current on regulations, guidelines, and professional standards. Remaining current on new developments by reading professional journals and attending seminars. Demonstrating understanding of role in emergency preparedness procedures. Other duties as assigned.

Certifications and Licensures include BLS: Basic Life Support and RN: Registered Nurse. Required Education includes an Associates Degree in Nursing is required. Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with 12 months experience preferred.