Vision and Values

In the performance of one’s job, the employee reflects the mission, vision and values by participating in the provision of convenient, cost-effective, quality surgical care. Values: Confidentiality, Quality, Teamwork, Trust, Respect

Job Summary

Utilizes the nursing process to provide comprehensive nursing care during the peri-operative phase.  Coordinates total patient care in coordination with other health team members particularly the Surgery Center’s team.  Functions as a patient advocate utilizing the Patient’s Bill of Rights.  Demonstrates professional growth and development by accepting responsibility and accountability for one’s nursing practice.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

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.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Assessment

• Competency to assess the physiological health status of the patient.
• Competency to assess the psychological health status of the patient/family.
• Formulates nursing diagnosis based on health status data.

Planning

• Competency to establish realistic and attainable goals based on nursing diagnostic and to develop a plan of care based on nursing actions to achieve patient goals.

Implementation

• Competency to implement nursing actions in transferring the patient according to the plan of care.
• Competency to participate in patient/family teaching.
• Competency to create and maintain a sterile field.
• Uses principals of aseptic technique in varying situations, such as infection control practices, skin preps, demonstrated knowledge of clean vs. sterile.
• Competency to provide equipment and supplies based on patient needs.
• Competency to perform sponge, sharps and instrument counts.
• Competency to administer drugs and solutions as prescribed.
• Competency to physiologically monitor the patient during the peri-operative phase.
• Competency to monitor and control the environment.
• Competency to respect patient’s rights.

Evaluation

• Competency to perform nursing actions that demonstrate accountability.
• Competency to evaluate patients.
• Participates in quality assurance monitoring.
• Competency to evaluate effectiveness of nursing care.
• In keeping with the teamwork philosophy, acts as a resource person to other staff.
• Adheres to OSHA guidelines for Universal Precautions for exposure to blood and body fluids, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Participates in the orientation of new employees, students and approved program participants.
• Demonstrates flexibility in meeting the needs of the Center.
• Follows AORN Recommended Practices and the Center’s policy at all times.
• Assists visitors, staff and physicians, utilizing good guest relations.
• Works in a spirit of teamwork and trust; conducts self in professional manner and maintains professional boundaries in working with others.
• Completes patient charting accurately and concisely and in a timely manner.
• Communicates appropriate information to surgeons and anesthesiologist concerning patient care.
• Communicates and interacts with patients and family in a positive and supportive manner.
• Attends and participates in in-service programs, communication groups, and staff meetings.
• Initiates and participates in patient and family education.
• Complies with cost containment monitoring.
• Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform job-related duties as requested by their supervisor to include different areas of the peri-operative setting.
• Acts in a way that is respectful to patients, families, and co-workers at all times.
• Accepts responsibility for own behavior.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and to organize work in order of importance.
• Requires manual dexterity to operate equipment and handle instrumentation, hearing to understand verbal instructions and near vision to distinguish supplies and instrumentation.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, service oriented environment

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Current State RN license.
• Current CPR licensure.
• Current ACLS certification, preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years peri-operative experience, preferably in an a multi-specialty ambulatory setting.
• Prior knowledge of surgical instrumentation and peri-operative equipment or ability to learn same.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively before customers or employees of organization.  Demonstrates good interpersonal communications skills.  Must be able to speak and understand English as well as written communication.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, service oriented environment.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal communication skills.
• Requires prolonged periods of standing in place and walking.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and to organize work in order of importance.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully
• Develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations
• Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics
• Technical Skills – Assessing own strengths and weaknesses; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Clinical Competencies – Tests and exercises to be completed prior to each evaluation.

WORKING CONDITIONS/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 accommodations may be to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to walk.  The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance and stoop, crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

• Normal hospital environment with exposure to chemical odors, cleaning solvents, and other hazardous materials.
• Exposure to possible injury when working with electrical equipment and lasers which requires care and following proper safety procedures.

 

Sedentary         ____Primarily sitting/lifting 10 lbs maximum

Light                 ____Lifting 20 lbs maximum with frequent lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs

Medium            _X__Lifting 50 lbs maximum with frequent lifting/carrying up to 20 lbs

Heavy               ____Lifting 100 lbs maximum with frequent lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs

Very Heavy       ____Lifting over 100 lbs with frequent lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs

 

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Based on the OSHA guidelines for protection against occupational exposure to Hepatitis and HIV, this position is described as Category I.  This means that this position has exposure to blood and body fluids.  Policies are in place for Universal Precautions identifying exposure risks and appropriate barrier protection.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements for the performance for this position.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.