Operating Room

Operating Room Nurse

Responsible for direct patient care effectively and efficiently, which may include patients with varied and complex needs. Assumes leadership roles with progressive responsibility to maintain patient care and safety. Develops and updates plan of care in partnership with patient and family using the nursing process, incorporating the patient priorities and abilities. Follows the nursing processes, modifies care based on continuous evaluation of the patients condition. Demonstrates clinical problem-solving and critical thinking. Makes decisions using evidence based analytical approach. Plans for routine events and anticipates/prevents and manages/elevates emergent situations. Contributes to meeting quality and safety standards. Reports near misses as errors promptly and consistently to improve systems and processes to identify trends. Communicates in an active, positive, and effective manner to health care team members. Manages usual patient assignments and other area demands. Addresses patient needs during admission to the operating room. Prepares operating room according to requirements of patient/procedure being done. Supervises and direct patent care in a single operating room. Reviews patient medical records/needs to plan care with other health care team members. Maintains patients privacy and dignity. Assist with identification and confirmation of operative sight. Accurately comprehends and interprets verbal orders/directions. Completes patient care responsibilities in a timely manner with accurate documentation. Organizes multiple priorities and anticipates/plans for potential problems. Uses down time efficiently, aware of other team member workloads and offers assistance. Responds to request for assistance from other team members positively. Implements initiative to achieve national patient safety goals; Works within the policy and procedures set forth by the facility. Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care in the operating room. Assists in ensuring supplies and equipment are available for use. Perform assessments on patients within appropriate time frames. Models and reinforces behaviors consistent with goals for teaching the medical patient, communicates patient status to the appropriate member of the healthcare team and provide support to the family as needed. Acts as clinical resource for staff. Communicates with the supervisor regarding patient care staff conflicts, and unusual occurrences. Maintains general overview of surgeons and their needs. Demonstrates mentoring ability when interacting with staff members. Maintains a safe environment for staff, patients, physicians and visitors. Monitors staff adherence to protocols and procedures. Monitors efficient room turnover. Verifies physician and ancillary personnel credentialing when in question. Maintains a working relationship with all staff. Maintains continuous communication with schedulers to help solve scheduling problems and/or operating room utilization. Completes or delegates the unit daily check/logs per policy and protocol. Directs, delegates, and oversees work efforts as appropriate to insure the best possible delivery of service. Provides leadership to staff, giving direction and guidance to staff as appropriate. Maintains accountability regarding patient care and unit operations. Works in cooperation with the Medical Staff to ensure regulations and accreditation standards are maintained. Follows all safety rules on the job and reports accidents promptly and corrects minor safety hazards. Ability to adequately diagnose, plan and implement nursing interventions and evaluate patient conditions. Compliance with facility policies and procedures. Compliance with continuing and mandatory education programs. Practices nursing within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act of Texas and accepts responsibility and accountability for own actions. Possess appropriate communication skills to practice collaborative nursing. Ability to respond quickly, physically and mentally when priorities and/or patients condition changes. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Nursing care for Intra-Operative patients. Operation of vital sign monitors. Assessment skills. A basic understanding of nursing diagnosis. Principles of Standard Precautions. IV Therapy. Basic computer skills. Must be able to perform skills and competencies.

Education and Experience: Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing. Registered Nurse in the State of Texas; License must remain active and unencumbered while employed. Basic Life Support (BLS) certified. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified or must be obtained within ninety (90) days of hire. One (1) year of previous Intra-Operative Care experience.