Registered Nurse RN

Surgical Nurse Position

This position is responsible for assessing the needs of each patient during a surgical procedure, and ensures that policies and procedures are met and maintains patient safety. Outlines individual care plans, implements, evaluates and documents care of patient during surgery. Provides leadership to the Riecker Surgery Center team, communicates with patient and family, Surgery Center team and manager and ancillary departments. Participates in staff development through preceptorship and continuing education. Assists anesthesia and performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities include:

• (40%) Assesses the needs of the surgical patient and develops a plan of care specific for that patient. Implements and evaluates the plan of care during the procedure, and makes necessary adjustments keeping patient safety a priority.

• (20%) Supervises activity in room. Anticipates and coordinates any schedule changes for the room. Assembles equipment and supplies. Assists anesthesia as necessary. Monitors sterile field.

• (20%) Completes admission procedure and obtains appropriate signatures. Assesses both patient's physical and psychological needs and notifies attending physician and anesthesia as needed. Supervises ancillary departments in preparing patients for surgery and administers appropriate medications. Checks patient chart for completeness and documents appropriately. Assesses patient readiness for discharge and proceeds accordingly. Carries out physician orders and documents information in compliance with medical center policy. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of individual physicians' routine. Assesses both patient's physical and medical needs and provides proper follow-up as applicable to each patient.

• (10%) Communicates with patient, family, physician, Riecker Surgery Center team and manager, and ancillary departments.

• (10%) Participates in staff development by attending in-services and preceptorships.

Other duties and responsibilities include:

• Demonstrating a positive, courteous and helpful attitude toward patient, visitors, physicians and co-workers.

• Demonstrating ability to fill varying roles as necessary.

• Demonstrating the ability to interpret information and reports pertinent data to the physician, including pertinent clinical information.

• Assessing learning needs considering readiness, ability, preferences, and cultural / spiritual variables.

• Providing education to meet the individual needs and ability to learn.

• Developing and maintaining good working rapport with interdisciplinary personnel to meet the needs of each patient.

• Possessing a thorough knowledge of normal pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative routine and conveys this information to both patient and family in a relaxed empathetic, reassuring manner.

• Demonstrating a good basic knowledge of anesthetic agents and their side effects/complications.

• Possessing thorough knowledge of individual physician preference regarding discharge instructions.

• Demonstrating appropriate communication and assessment skills with both family and patient.

• Seeking assistance of necessary support services to guarantee appropriate home care.

• Demonstrating ability to assist and circulate in completion of minor surgeries scheduled in treatment rooms.

• Possessing good knowledge of aseptic technique and physician preference.

• Communicating with individual physicians in regard to both their needs as well as those of patients and ancillary departments.

• Completing appropriate charting.

• Demonstrating assessment of pain, promotes comfort through required intervention, and documents accordingly.

• Demonstrating the ability to organize and prioritize the needs of groups of patients or an individual patient.

• Demonstrating a general ability to manage assignments and perform routine duties on the unit.

• Instructing other team members when appropriate, explaining goals and rationale for individualized care.

• Implementing clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Demonstrating understanding of clinical pathways and utilizes appropriately.

• Remaining calm and efficient when working in stressful situations.

• Documenting in an accurate, clear, and concise way and includes pertinent clinical data.

• Sharing information and reports significant changes and/or abnormal findings to appropriate team members.

• Participating in regulatory surveys. Participating in the performance improvement activities.

• Assisting with orientation and ongoing competencies.

• Providing a safe and secure environment for patient care.

• Attending and participating in professional association activities and programs to assure being current on regulations, guidelines, and professional standards.

• Remaining current on new developments by reading professional journals, and attending seminars.

• Demonstrating understanding of role in emergency preparedness procedures.

Other duties as assigned.

Certifications and Licensures:

• Credential: RN: Registered Nurse Equivalent Experience: MI

• Credential: ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support Equivalent Experience: Within 12 months of hire or transfer

• Credential: BLS: Basic Life Support Equivalent Experience: Within 1 month of hire or transfer

Required Education:

• Education: Associates Degree Equivalent Experience: Bachelor's Degree in nursing preferred.

Education Specialization: NRG

Other Information:

Leadership skills needed to effectively direct a group.

Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals and groups and interact with people at all levels to communicate ideas and concepts in a clear and understandable manner.

MyMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.

Certified Nurse of the Operating Room (CNOR) certification preferred.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions:

Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death.

Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.

Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description.

Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).

Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.

Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.

Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.

Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.

Physical Demand Level: Medium. Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 21-50 lbs., frequently 34-66% of the workday 20 lbs. and or Walk/Stand/Push/Pull of Arm/Leg controls and constantly (67-100% or the workday) 10 lbs.