Registered Nurse (RN) - Operating Room

POSITION STANDARDS

EDUCATION:

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing

Current New Hampshire licence

Current BCLS certification required upon hire.

Current ACLS certififcation required within 90 days of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

For the RN practicing in the OR prior experience in Peri-Operative Nursing is required and said nurse understands and practices the standards set forth by AORN.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

Active participant in inservices, educational programs, and educational conferences. Exhibits membership in organizations relevant to professional growth.

AGE OF PATIENTS TREATED:

The Registered Professional Nurse cares for pediatric through geriatric patients in the Operating Room

POSITION PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Anything listed here requires a pre-employment physical by Employee Health to determine if the employee is capable of meeting the requirements.

Physical Activity:

Sitting - 34% to 66%

Standing - 67% to 100%

Walking - 67% to 100%

Bending - 67% to 100%

Squatting - 67% to 100%

Crouching - 67% to 100%

Kneeling - 34% to 66%

Reaching - 67% to 100%

Upper Extremity:

Use of Upper Extremity - 67% to 100%

Push/Pull/Lift/Carry:

Initial push up to a maximum of 55 lbs - 34% to 66%

Initial pull up to a maximum of 42 lbs - 34% to 66%

Sustained push up to a maximum of 25 lbs - 34% to 66%

Sustained pull up to a maximum of 18 lbs - 34% to 66%

Lift up to a maximum of 35 lbs - 1% to 33%

Carry up to a maximum of 35 lbs - 1% to 33%

PART TWO:FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Position Objective

The Registered Nurse is accountable to meet the complete nursing needs of a defined group of patients utilizing the nursing process and the medical plan of care in accordance with the New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act and the Patient Bill of Rights. The role for the RN in the Operating Room requires constant flexibility to meet the unexpected and to act in an efficient, rational manner at all times. The Peri-Operative nurse plans and directs nursing care for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures.

Performance Expectation

• Circulator: Is a member of the unsterile team, who directs the activities of the OR suite during the operative procedure. Monitors and coordinates all activities with in the room and to manage the care required for each patient. The RN should be continually knowledgeable about the status of the patient.

Prepares and assist in the set up of operating room for the scheduled procedure. Verify accurate and complete preparation of supplies, instruments, equipment and special order implants/instruments, pre-operatively.

Opens and dispenses sterile items safely and accurately.

Monitors and Maintains room sterility.

Monitors and communicates info to other members of the team and family.

• Utilizes and updates Surgeon specific preference cards.

Provides input and information to keep pick cards complete and accurate.

• Pre-Operative interview of surgical patient: The circulating nurse serves as the patient advocate while the patient is least able to care for him or herself.

Identifies patients utilizing 2 identifiers – name and DOB, confirms with patient and compares to arm band and surgical consent form.

Performs physical and psychosocial assessment.

Assess' special needs related to patient history, surgical procedure, positioning needs and length of planned surgical procedure.

Verify any allergies or sensitivities

• Assist with Induction of Anesthesia:

Greets patient upon admission to assigned operating room.

Provides emotional support to patient prior to induction of anesthesia.

Remains at patient side during induction.

Maintains quiet environment.

Reposition patient after induction as necessary to provide patient safety and positioning for procedure.

• Assist with needs of the Sterile Team:

Assist with gowning of the sterile team.

Creates and maintains a safe environment.

Anticipates the needs of the sterile team.

Assist surgeon and anesthesia provider to monitor blood loss.

• Implements and Enforces operating room policies and procedures:

Utilizes Comprehensive Surgical Checklist

Counting:

Counts sponges, sharps, instruments with scrub person. Reports and documents counts as correct or incorrect to surgeon. If incorrect, adheres to hospital policy and procedures to support the safety of the patient in surgery.

• Documentation:

Documents on the Comprehensive Surgical Checklist, Intra-operative Record, Implant logs, and Pathology requisitions.

Completes specific and accurate information related to the patient specific surgical procedure.

Prepare and label specimens for transfer to lab according to hospital policy.

Accurate charge capture for items utilized in the Operating Room for patient specific charges. Documents on service specific charge sheets as well as patient specific requisitions for additional surgical items required during procedure.

• Communication:

Communicates to Charge Nurse/Clinical Leader of any potential patient safety or staff safety issues in a timely fashion.

Utilizes data to identify patient care needs and communicates to OR team and or PACU nurse based on patient/procedure specifications.

Communicates information to other members of the team and to the patient family as needed, while maintaining HIPAA.

• Demonstrates an ability to organize and prioritize job functions.

Demonstrates critical thinking skills, using logic and reasoning to identify the

strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to

problems.

Min: $39.13

Max: $54.90

• Area of Interest:Nursing Services;

• Work Status:M-F;

• Employment Type:Full Time;

• Job ID:5574

Dartmouth Health offers a total compensation package that includes a comprehensive selection of benefits. Our Core Benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance, short and long term disability, paid time off, and retirement plans. Click here for information on these benefits and more:Benefits | DHMC and Clinics Careers

Dartmouth Health is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. We do not exclude or treat people differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.