Operating Room RN Circulator

OVERVIEW:

Provides nursing care to the patient. Performs nursing activities in the operating room where the circulating nurse is the patient’s advocate. Answers patient needs by assisting the physician and person responsible for anesthesia care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Supports the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Organization.

o Supports, and performs according to, approved policies and procedures.

o Participate as a team member in support of the total perioperative process.

o Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.

· Contributes to the progress and development of the approved Quality Improvement Program.

o Supports risk management and participates in programs directed to patient and staff safety.

o Contributes to the quality management process; identifies role and contributes upon request; participates in data collection activities in support of the Quality Improvement Program.

o Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances, and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.

· Communicates effectively with patients, visitors, supervisors/management, physicians, and co-workers.

o Interactions are respectful and courteous.

o Communicate effectively and professionally using a translator when necessary.

o Documents that information received from the patient are disseminated to the appropriate people or departments.

· Maintains and promotes professional competence through continuing education and other learning experiences.

o Participates in committees, conferences, and quality management activities.

o Objectively evaluates suggestions or criticisms and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance, as needed.

o Attends and actively participates in meetings, committees, and in-services according to job responsibilities and Facility requirements.

o Assists with orientation and training of new personnel and acts as a resource person for patient care problems.

· Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.

o Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and noncompliance according to Facility policy.

o Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities; enforces compliance with safety and security policies and procedures.

o Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure.

· Organizes time, equipment, supplies, and staff to provide effective case management.

o Supervises and directs patient care in a single operating room.

o Organizes nursing activities efficiently and effectively delegating activities appropriate to the abilities of available staff members.

o Considers cost-containment by using supplies economically and in effective turnover time.

o Assists with supplies, drugs, and equipment inventories to maintain stock level and availability.

· Addresses patient needs during admission to the operating room with attention to requirements specific to the outpatient setting.

o Transports patients to the operating room according to Facility policy, safety requirements and patient needs.

o Identifies the patient and correct surgical intervention according to Facility policy and communicates with all surgical team members.

o Reviews the patient’s medical record and needs to plan care with other health care team members.

o Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient; maintains patient’s privacy and dignity.

o Explains intraoperative phase routine procedures and care to the patient.

· Performs the circulating nurse’s functions adhering to approved operating room procedures for the scheduled procedure.

o Prepares operating room according to the procedure to be performed and patient needs.

o Assembles and provides properly functioning equipment, supplies and instruments before the start of procedure; positions and adjusts equipment as required during the procedure.

o Anticipates needs of the surgical team; assists anesthesia staff by supporting the patient during administration and emergence of anesthesia.

o Assists with the proper and safe positioning of the patient and prepares the operative site as directed by consented procedure.

o Monitors compliance with principles of aseptic technique according to accepted standards.

o Assists with identification and confirmation of operative site, performs accurate surgical time out.

o Provides for comfort in the physical environment by monitoring designated parameters.

o Provides continuity of patient care by communicating with other perioperative care personnel and documenting records appropriately.

· Responds in a timely manner to meet the needs of the patient and physician.

o Accurately comprehends and interprets verbal orders and direction.

o Documents patient care records and other forms accurately according to Facility policy.

o Accurately advises others responsible for patient care about the patient’s status.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Intellectual

· Uses intuition and experience to complement data.

· Designs workflows and procedures.

· Generate creative solutions.

· Translate concepts and information into images.

· Use feedback to modify designs.

· Apply design principles.

· Demonstrates attention to detail.

· Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.

· Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.

· Develop alternative solutions.

· Works well in group problem solving situations.

· Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

· Coordinates projects.

· Communicates changes and progress.

· Completes projects on time and budget.

· Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.

· Share expertise with others.

Interpersonal

· Manages difficult or emotional customer situations.

· Responds promptly to customer needs.

· Responds to requests for service and assistance.

· Meets commitments.

· Maintains confidentiality.

· Keeps emotions under control.

· Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

· Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.

· Gives and welcomes feedback.

· Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

· Puts success of team above own interests.

· Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.

· Edit work for spelling and grammar.

· Varies writing style to meet needs.

· Presents numerical data effectively.

· Able to read and interpret written information.

Leadership

· Delegates work assignments.

Self-Management

· Adapts to changes in the work environment.

· Able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.

· Consistently at work and on time.

· Ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent.

· Follows instructions, responds to management direction.

· Take responsibility for your own actions.

· Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.

· Completes tasks on time or notify appropriate person with an alternate plan.

· Volunteers readily.

· Seeks increased responsibilities.

· Asks for and offers help when needed.

· Displays original thinking and creativity.

· Develop innovative approaches and ideas.

· Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

· Displays willingness to make decisions.

· Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.

· Make timely decisions.

· Sets and achieves challenging goals.

· Prioritize and plans for work activities.

· Use time efficiently.

· Set goals and objectives.

· Develops realistic action plans.

· Approaches others in a tactful manner.

· React well under pressure.

· Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.

· Accepts responsibility for own actions.

· Follows through on commitments.

· Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.

· Apply feedback to improve performance.

· Completes work in a timely manner.

· Observes safety and security procedures.

· Reports potentially unsafe conditions.

· Use equipment and materials properly.

Language, Math, and Reasoning  

· Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedural manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

· Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

· Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, and TRAINING:

Associate of Science, Nursing (A.S.N.) or equivalent from two-year college and technical school; six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

· Nursing License (MA)

· BLS

· ACLS

· PALS (preop/postop RN), if applicable

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds.

· The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 100 pounds

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.

VISION REQUIREMENTS:

There are no special vision requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

· This position works in an environment with moderate noise level. (Examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic.)

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of radiation.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to Bloodborne pathogens.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to chemical hazards.

Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.