Pre & Post Op Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the OR and other areas of perioperative services for all patient populations. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization
• Assesses patients at intervals as stated in policies and procedures.
• Develops an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.
• Implements the plan of care for Peri-Operative:
  1. Stocking medical supplies and prepare safety equipment 
  2. Performing pre-surgical assessments and documenting findings in the patient’s
  3. electronic health record (EHR).
  4. Communicating any patient allergies, anesthesia contraindications, concerns, and/or surgical risks
  5. with the surgical team.
  6. Inserting and maintaining peripheral intravenous lines (PIVs).
  7. Escorting the patient to the operating room and providing safe patient handoff to the
  8. receiving nursing team.
  9. Educating patients and their family members on the surgical process and routinely
  10. updating them throughout the intraoperative phase
  11. reviewing the surgeon’s orders and ensuring that all preoperative testing has been completed;
  12. administering preoperative medications safely and correctly;
  13. ensuring that  informed consent is obtained;
  14. actively involving the patient or designated support person in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care and the rehabilitation process;
  15. assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person;
  16. providing education regarding the procedure, expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and other expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure;
  17. ensuring patient complete preparedness for the procedure prior to transfer of care to the intraoperative nurse and transport to the operating room;
  18. communicating all aspects of the patient’s current status, including care, treatments, current condition, and recent or expected changes to the intraoperative nurse.
  19. protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy.
  20. providing culturally and age-appropriate, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and
  21. providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.
• Implements the plan of care for Post-Operative:
  1. Monitor patients' vital signs and level of consciousness post-surgery
  2. Administer medications for pain management and other post-operative care
  3. Assess patients for signs of post-operative complications and intervene as necessary
  4. Provide patient and family education regarding post-operative care and recovery
  5. Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals
  6. Document patient status, treatments, and clinical findings accurately
  7. Prepare patients for discharge once they meet the required criteria
  8. Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes.
  9. Implement infection control measures
  10. Assist with patient transfers to appropriate care units
  11. Respond to emergency situations and initiate appropriate interventions
  12. Maintain a clean and safe environment in the PACU
  13. Provide emotional support and reassurance to patients and their families
  14. Operate and monitor medical equipment used in post-operative care
  15. Ensure proper patient identification and maintain patient confidentiality
  16. Participate in continuous education and training to stay updated with best practices
  17. Create a culture of safety for the patient. Report adverse and serious safety events.
  18. protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy;
  19. providing culturally and age-appropriate, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and
  20. Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.
  21. Assess the patient’s discharge criteria by utilizing the Modified Aldrete Scoring system.
  22. Discuss the discharge instructions with the Patient, family, and/or significant other and make sure they are provided with a printed copy for their reference.
  23. Prepare the patient for discharge/transfer and make sure that a responsible person is with the patient for the discharge process.
  24. Transfers care as appropriate. 
  25. Delegates tasks as appropriate according to the New Mexico Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions. 
  26. Documents nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly.
  27. Collaborates effectively with other disciplines as appropriate.
  28. Participates in quality review and performance improvement projects.
  29. Uses problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.
  30. Maintains required competencies.
  31. Pursues professional growth and participates in a professional organization.
  32. Acts as a patient advocate and maintains privacy and confidentiality of all appropriate information.
  33. Performs charge duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Roosevelt General Hospital (RGH) is committed to providing safe, quality care to patients.  Employees are required to adhere to the Values of RGH.

Integrity 

• We are committed to honesty and ethical principles, where our words and actions reflect our dedication to fostering strong relationships and maintaining professional credibility. 
• We take accountability for our actions and their impact on others, consistently honoring our commitments and upholding moral standards and values in every situation. 

Learning 

• We promote personal growth and professional excellence by embracing continuous learning through training, mentorship, and constructive feedback. 
• We foster a collaborative culture driven by curiosity and critical thinking, encouraging staff to ask questions, seek answers, and share knowledge. 

Innovation 

• We confidently embrace changes in technology, processes, and practices, encouraging strategic risk-taking and creativity to enhance healthcare delivery, patient safety, and the quality of care. 
• We collaborate with partners from other hospitals, academic institutions, industry leaders, and community organizations to promote continuous improvement and remain at the forefront of advancing healthcare outcomes. 

Kindness 

• We engage in open communication with patients, families, and colleagues to understand their needs and concerns, while respecting their differences and upholding their dignity. 
• We foster a nurturing environment where individuals feel supported, understood, and valued, strengthening relationships, promoting growth, and enhancing the overall well-being of all. 

Excellence 

• We strive to be a model rural healthcare facility, setting high standards in healthcare delivery and ensuring exceptional patient satisfaction within the communities we serve. 
• We take pride in our accountability and fiscal responsibility, skillfully balancing costs and outcomes to guarantee that superior patient care is always delivered. 

Unity 

• We collaborate across departments and disciplines to deliver effective and compassionate healthcare, working alongside patients, families, and community partners to ensure seamless coordination of care and achieve our common goals of wellness and healing. 
• We prioritize open communication and mutual respect, empowering our teams to collaborate effectively by acknowledging and celebrating the unique contributions and strengths of each individual.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
• Current registered nurse licensure in the state of New Mexico
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or must be obtained within thirty (30) days of hire
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
• Two Years perioperative services experience preferred
• Certified Nurse, Operating Room (CNOR) certification preferred

Professional Requirements

• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. 
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wear identification while on duty.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations. 
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicate the mission, ethics and goals of the organization.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions  

• Working regular hours including call hours and weekends as required
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment
• Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions
• Pushing and pulling heavy objects
• Manual and finger dexterity
• Hand and eye coordination 
• Standing and walking for extensive periods of time
• Functional range of body motion including handling and lifting patients 

• Position requires light to moderate work with 50 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry.
• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.