Registered Nurse: Pre-Op/PACU

Job Description

Job Description

REGISTERED NURSE

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

ASC NURSE ADMINISTRATOR/DIRECTOR

SUMMARIZED DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The RN provides expert professional nursing care; assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care rendered to patients with urgent, emergent, or potential health problems and participate in the management of the department. 

The following examples of work are not all-encompassing or restrictive, and are expected to vary with changing needs and priorities.  The duties for a specific position with this title will be defined and assigned by the Administrative Director and will include the ability to work all areas as needed.

Nursing practice and patient care activity:

1. Assesses physical, psychological, and social dimensions of patients within the scope of knowledge and experience base.

1. Applies knowledge base and uses available resources in assessment process.
2. Provides written assessment of patient before surgery and subsequently in the nursing process.
3. Summarizes assessment data and makes nursing diagnosis which is documented and communicated to other care providers.
4. Develops formal plan of care for patients.
5. Initiates plan of care based on nursing diagnosis and appropriate standards of care.
6. Documents nursing orders; develops goals and expected outcomes following intervention.
7. Provides moderate conscious sedation including medications such as midazolam, fentanyl and ketamine as ordered and in the presence of the surgeon or anesthesia provider. Registered nurses are not privileged to give propofol.
8. Utilizes available resources and seeks appropriate consultation as necessary in planning care.
9. Updates plan of care based on continuing assessment of patient.
10. Initiates and develops discharge planning on admission.
11. Implements plan of care.
12. Implements clinical and technical aspects of care and nursing orders in accordance with established policies and procedures.
13. Intervenes to meet individual patient needs.
14. Documents nursing intervention, patient response, effectiveness, and complications.
15. Informs Nurse Manager or his/her designee of significant changes in patient status.
16. Utilizes in-house resources to enhance quality of patient care.
17. Evaluates nursing care provided.
18. Reviews and evaluates effectiveness of intervention and implementation of plan.
19. Determines level of accomplishment of goals and outcomes.
20. Reviews and evaluates own nursing practice as compared to standard of care and original plan of care as supported by peers and other resource personnel.

PATIENT AND FAMILY INSTRUCTIONS/EDUCATION/DISCHARGE PLANNING:

1. Assesses need and plans for patient and family instruction.
2. Utilizes available resources to assess family / patient knowledge and readiness to accept discharge and care for patient.
3. Identifies appropriateness of home or alternative site care.
4. Sets realistic objectives by including patient / family in planning.
5. Assists patients to understand self-care instructions.
6. Identifies necessary medical information to be communicated and community resources available.
7. Implements instruction on teaching plan.
8. Initiates referrals to community agencies as necessary.
9. Evaluates and modifies instructions as indicated by feedback from patient / family.

Professional expectations and leadership:

1. Personal growth and development.
2. Assesses one's own and professional needs.
3. Plans and implements program to meet identified needs through formal or informal means.
4. Evaluates effectiveness of professional programs; changes or modifies plans to meet own learning needs.
5. Demonstrates knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act, the facility and nursing policies and procedures.
6. Supports philosophy, objectives and goals of nursing.
7. Performs within limits of Nurse Practice Act, the Code of Ethics for Nurses and
8. Ambulatory Surgery Center policies and procedures.
9. Strives for excellence in implementing patient care and provides assurance of patient safety.
10. Demonstrates accountability for professional conduct and contributes to collegial support.
11. Provides appropriate learning experiences for staff and students.
12. Conducts in-services and participates in staff meetings.
13. Participates in the orientation program provided and maintains competency in assigned areas.
14. Provides circulating and scrub services as applicable when needed.
15. Assists in pre-postoperative working areas when needed.
16. Promotes a positive team oriented atmosphere.
17. Does stock and non-stock ordering.
18. Receives deliveries promptly and stores incoming inventory appropriately, as well as excess supplies left at end of surgical day.
19. Maintains adequate inventory / par levels in operating rooms and sub-sterile areas.
20. Receives, cleans, decontaminates, sterilizes and stores various supplies and equipment used during surgical procedures.
21. Notifies Administrator/Director for repair of special equipment as needed.
22. Sets up, positions and operates specialized operating room equipment including, but not limited to, the following: Phaco machine, Posterior Vitrectomy / Vitreo-retinal machine, Cryosurgical machine, Argon Endolaser, Electrocautery machine.
23. Helps maintain cleanliness of pre and postoperative working areas.
24. Strives to promote and maintain a “Teamwork” environment.
25. Acts as Charge Nurse (floor charge) on a rotating basis as needed:
26. Helps to maintain flow, efficiency and positive environment
27. Reports to Administrative Director

EXPECTATIONS:

1. Adhere to time clocking policy.
2. Wear identification badge.

Adhere to attendance policy.

1. Understand that management may change work schedules and assignments without notice and must authorize overtime.
2. Adhere to dress code – assigned scrubs.
3. No artificial nails; natural nail length per AORN Standards.
4. Understand and demonstrate acceptable grooming.
5. No strong perfume (as defined by patients, peers and/or management)
6. Demonstrate professional behavior, including confidentiality per HIPAA regulations.
7. No non-work related internet use, including all personal emails and websites.
8. No cell phone use in perioperative areas.  Cell phones may be utilized in the kitchen or outside the ASC during breaks or lunch.
9. Understand and abide by safety regulations.

1. Read and complete all manuals for relevant equipment necessary to perform daily tasks and job requirements.

1. Read and be familiar with Policy and Procedure books, SDS sheets and their location.
2. Follow appropriate line of reporting.  (Administrative Director, Medical Director).

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Goals and objectives for a defined period of time are subject to revision and are to be established between the Administrator/Director and employee during the performance evaluation.  Successful performance of these goals will be based on demonstrated, objective and measurable criterion and are to be discussed at appropriate times during the course of employment.

BACKGROUND REQUISITES:

1. EDUCATION:

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing.
• Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in Kentucky (with no previous disciplinary actions against your license through the state nursing board).

2.  EXPERIENCE:

• Recent ambulatory surgery or hospital experience preferred in PREOP, O. R., P.A.C.U. or I.C.U.
• BLS certification required.
• ACLS certification preferred (Required completion within one year of hire date).

3.  SKILLS/ ABILITIES:

• High degree of communication skills.
• Manual dexterity, coordination and skillful use of hands when working with patients and equipment.
• May rotate work times.
• Work is moderate to heavy; standing and walking much of the time on duty.
• Ability to lift and transfer patients.
• Ability to cope with professional stress.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in stressful situations.

Security Level: Basic

**The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job classification.  Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other

than those specifically presented in this description.