RN Registered Nurse

Perioperative Registered NurseFollows the nursing process from preoperative holding area to PACU; communicates with surgeon and anesthesia care provider about relevant patient medical/surgical history and medication allergies; pulls supplies, instruments, and equipment needed for surgical case; opens surgical case with scrub technologist, maintaining aseptic technique; counts with scrub technologist prior to incision; performs the Time Out; is at the patient's side during induction and intubation and extubation; safely positions patient with health care team; obtains additional supplies, instruments, and equipment as needed; performs final counts and makes sure they are correct; accurately documents and charges patient; gives report to PACU nurse with anesthesia care provider; performs biological testing for OR autoclaves, knowledgeable of immediate use steam sterilization policies and principles. Follows recommended practices of AORN.Essential FunctionsThe Perioperative Registered Nurse is responsible for providing quality nursing care utilizing the nursing process as reflected in AORN Standards of Perioperative Nursing Practice. Perioperative nursing practice includes, but is not limited to the role of scrub person, circulator, clinical coordinator and educator.Provides Safe and Appropriate Nursing Care to Patients Utilizing the Nursing Process and Demonstrates the Ability to Perform Clinical/Technical and Administrative TasksCoordinates use of instruments, supplies and equipment for intraoperative phase based on patient's needs and surgeon's preference cardSystematically assesses the health status of the patient and records health dataAssesses knowledge level of patient preoperatively and provides basic teaching related to procedure and monitoringIs proactive in the Time Out process to be sure the patient's procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and levelEstablishes nursing diagnoses; plans, implements, and evaluates nursing interventions – initiates changes when appropriateProtects the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sourcesPerforms interventions to protect patient from surgical site infectionsMaintains patient's normothermiaProperly labels specimens and requisition formsDemonstrates flexibility and adaptability to changes as they occurAdheres to hospital policy for sponge counts, sharps, and instrument counts; protects patient from retained surgical itemsProvides education consistent with the patient/family's learning abilities and preferences; evaluates outcomesEffectively Communicates with Physicians, Co-workers, Patients, FamiliesReports pertinent observations regarding patients to physicians and other health care team membersHand-off report is given accurately and concisely; hand-off paperwork is completedDocumentation on the patient's medical record is accurate, complete and concise to ensure continuity in the provision and coordination of patient carePatient advocate – ethical and moral decision making per patient or family member's wishesUses problem solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team membersPatient SafetyCompletes the Pre-Procedure form so that problems can be anticipated and corrected prior to the patient entering the ORMaintains National Patient Safety Goals, including participation in the Time Out processVerifies, coordinates and carries out physicians orders/preferences accuratelyCoordinates interdepartmental transfers smoothly and efficientlyCoordinates interdepartmental activities related to SCIP measures to ensure timely efficient careCommunicates and coordinates with coordinator and other nurses to ensure timely discharge, patient satisfaction, and quality care along the continuum of carePractices Standard PrecautionsDemonstrated knowledge of and practices department safety procedures, including safe handling of equipment and hazardous substancesResponds to emergency situations to promote optimal patient outcomes by recognizing changes in the patient's health statusInitiates incident reports appropriatelyAdministers Medications in an Accurate and Timely MannerFollows the 5 "rights" when administering medications (patient, route, time, dose, med) after checking for allergiesUses 2 patient identifiers before administering medicationsInitiates and effectively maintains IV therapyParticipates in Quality ImprovementActs as a resource and mentor for othersVerbalizes unit specific quality improvement projectsVerbalizes hospital-wide quality improvement initiativesCollects, interprets or relays quality improvement data for the unitOther DutiesPlease note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.Minimum Education/CertificationsGraduate of an accredited school of nursing, preferably BSN program.Current NJ license or letter of permission from the New Jersey State Board of Nursing to practice in the state of New Jersey.CNOR and/or CRNFA preferred with maintenance of the required continuing education.One year experience preferred.American Heart Association (BLS)