RN Pre-Admission Testing (RN) -Pre Admission CTR PAC

Preoperative Nurse

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St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport has more than 3,200 employees. It includes a 473-bed community teaching hospital, a 76-bed inpatient psychiatric facility in Westport, a large multispecialty provider group, and special needs services for adults and children. St. Vincent's is the first hospital in Fairfield County to be integrated into the Hartford HealthCare network, and is the system's second-largest hospital.

Job Summary

Provides holistic, quality and cost-effective nursing care for patients/caregivers and/or others in the preoperative population within a unit, service or other primary area of practice; focuses on admission planning which includes identification of actual/potential perioperative risk factors. Provides direct patient care in collaboration with the Pre-Admission Testing Center Provider(s) to complete preoperative education and testing in accordance with current HHC guidelines. Applies the nursing process within the context of the organizational framework for Professional Practice. Functions as a clinically competent/expert. Delegates and supervises work appropriately. Reports to Unit Manager/Director of PATC.

Responsibilities

• Appropriately assesses and plans patient care by: accurately and reliably obtaining, assessing and interpreting data; identifying and documenting problems and expected outcomes based on a plan of care for the preoperative patient; utilizing scientific knowledge base and appropriate physiological/psychological/social/cultural/spiritual concepts; organizing care and interventions; and identifying appropriate resources in order to meet individual and family health goals.
• Using evidence based recommendations, coordinates and implements patient-centered care with variances along the continuum by: contributing to and following plans of the health care team and partnering with patient/caregivers; ensuring documentation and communication amongst caregivers is complete; delegating and ensuring completion of activities in alignment with patient safety; and educating patients/caregivers to achieve established health goals in an effort to provide coordinated seamless care.
• Utilizes data to identify actual/potential perioperative risk factors, preadmission services and special needs for initiating referrals and implementing additional interventions as indicated. Collaborates with other members of the health care team on pertinent patient care concerns that directly impact admission.
• Demonstrates competencies in Nursing Practice (knowledge and behaviors) to meet age-specific patient needs.
• Provides/models quality patient/customer service by: demonstrating a willingness to accommodate all customers; maintaining an awareness of patient needs and utilizing initiatives to respond to those needs; utilizing discretion and compassion in responding to patient/caregiver needs; maintaining confidentiality of all patient information; and functioning in a collaborative manner with other members of the health care team to ensure quality patient care.
• Provides preoperative education for patients/caregivers in accordance with current HHC Preoperative Guidelines.
• Contributes to care improvement by participating in: coaching, mentoring and developing staff and acting as resource for peers; performance/quality improvement opportunities; the cost effective utilization of resources and by recognizing the value of evidence based practice as part of continuous improvement. Contributes to improvement of nursing practice by questioning current rituals in practice.
• Assumes responsibility for self-improvement, in collaboration with Unit Manager/Director of PATC by: identifying, communicating and seeking resources or instruction/validation to meet own learning needs, and is self-directed in maintaining currency of validations.
• Completes venipuncture, EKG, nasal swabbing, vitals, height/weight and assists with coordination of specialty consults as directed by Pre-Admission Testing Center Provider(s) to ensure safety of the surgical patient, quality care and optimal patient/caregiver experience in alignment with the Strategic Goals of HHC.

Qualifications

Required Credentials

• Three (3) years diversified clinical nursing experience, including medical/surgical or acute care experience required

Licensure, Certification, Registration

• Active CT RN License.
• BLS and ACLS certification

Education

• RN Diploma, Associate degree required, BSN preferred

Language Skills

• English

Knowledge, Skills and Ability Requirements

• Strong knowledge and understanding of patient care standards and procedures including pre and postsurgical patient care
• Excellent communication [oral, written and listening] and interpersonal skills to interact with a wide range of constituencies.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• General computer skills.
• Ability to provide customer, patient, client centric service
• Ability to provide age-specific care
• Excellent attention to details and ability to prioritize efficiently.