Pre & Post-Op RN

Job Description

Job Summary:

As a Registered Nurse at Northtowns Ambulatory Surgery Center you will be responsible for providing direct nursing care for patients both before and after procedures in the Operating room and the Endoscopy suites. You will assist in screening patients for the center and supervising LPNs and Medical Assistants. Registered Nurses are expected to maintain the highest level of customer service and professionalism while making sure our patients are safe and well cared for.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Philosophy

Supports the center's ideology, mission, goals, and objectives.

Performs in accordance with the center's policies and procedures.

Follows the center's standards for ethical business conduct.

Conducts self as a positive role model and team member.

Recognizes patients' rights and responsibilities and supports them in performance of job duties.

Participates in center committees, meetings, in-services, and activities.

Communication

Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers.

Interacts with others in a positive, respectful, and considerate manner.

Financial practices

Uses center resources appropriately and avoid wasteful practices.

Reports wasteful practices.

Analyzes work area and makes recommendations for potential cost-effective improvements.

Compliance program

Contributes to the progress and development of the organization's adopted compliance program.

Performs according to established compliance policies and procedures

Performance-improvement program

Contributes to the progress and development of the organization's adopted performance-improvement program.

Performs according to established performance-improvement policies and procedures.

Safety/risk-management program

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

Reports observed or suspected safety violations, hazards, and policy/procedure noncompliance to safety officer or other designated person.

Professional competence

Participates in continuing education and other learning experiences.

Shares knowledge gained in continuing education with staff.

Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations

Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.

Welcomes suggestions and recommendations.

General Duties

Effectively organizes time, equipment, supplies, and personnel.

Organizes nursing activities efficiently.

Considers staff abilities when delegating activities.

Uses equipment effectively by anticipating patient needs and providing appropriate care.

Confirms that proper techniques and procedures are used according to accepted standards of practice.

Assists with inventory of supplies, drugs, and equipment to maintain availability and stock levels in the admission area.

Maintains order and cleanliness of admission area.

Pre-operative Duties:

Greets patient and provides comfort and reassurance to the patient and supports the patient's right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.

Performs thorough admission assessment of patient.

Develops a plan of care for the patient based on assessment data and implements admission care (e.g., evaluates chart, administers medication).

Informs patient about routine care and procedures related to the perioperative experience.

Confirm patient name, DOB, intended procedure, surgical site

Ensure responsible adult escort available prior to admission

Establish safe physical environment

Secures signed surgical consent, witness as appropriate

Review admission criteria per center policy/procedure

Obtain H&P. If not performed within 30 days of scheduled date, obtain new one from provider and incorporate into patient record

Confirm presence of documentation of allergies including adverse reactions

Perform initial medication reconciliation with patient input

Assists in the monitoring of physical symptoms and behavioral changes

Monitor/document patient vital signs per policy

Perform pre-admission testing per established criteria

Establish IV access

Documents admission care according to policy and procedure.

Completes admission checklist when turning care of patient over to operating room personnel.

Initiates nursing actions based on interpretation of physiological changes

Follows established criteria for monitoring of patient, assessment of pain, per established criteria

Post-Operative Duties

Assess patients' condition after a surgery has been performed

Ensure that all vitals are within normal range

Log all findings in patients' files

Answer patients' questions and ensure that they are kept comfortable

Make sure that all relevant IVs are in check

Administers medication according to policy

Provide nourishment per policy

Discuss pain management. Both prescribed medications and alternative treatment options

Develop individualized care plans based on each individual patient's condition

Ensure that the all nursing activities are carried out in accordance to individual patient care plan

Monitor patients for condition changes and report any changes to the doctor

Initiate patient education programs to ensure that both patients and families are educated on procedures and medications

Determine when patients are ready to discharge

Ensure responsible adult escort available prior to discharge

Evaluate patient ability to ambulate safely

Assist patient in dressing as needed

Review discharge instructions with patient and available family member. Provide information both verbally and in written format.

Provide supplies for at home care as deemed needed

Perform medication reconciliation and provide copy to patient with discharge information. Document when next dose of medications due (pain, antibiotic, etc.)

Perform intervention duties in cases of post-operative emergencies

Record sedation levels and body temperature

Ensure that the post-operative space is clean and sanitized

Change bandages and dress surgical wounds

Education and Experience:

Required

Graduate of accredited school of nursing

RN with active license in New York State

ACLS Certification, PALS Certification within 6 months

Evidence of leadership qualities

Strong ethical and moral character references

Physical/Mental Requirements

Ability to sit/stand for a considerable amount of time; ability to walk.

Visual and auditory acuity for frequent use of computer, telephone, and occasional use of other office equipment.

Ability to perform occasional overhead and low reaching.

Physical strength required for equipment needs and patient-care activities.

Visual and auditory acuity for responsiveness and patient-care assessment activities.

Ability to move quickly in response to center needs.

Constant and frequent judgment and response.

Occasional judgment and response to disasters or emergencies or drills.

Working Conditions (Environmental)

Well-lit and ventilated, with non-hazardous and hazardous equipment.

Category I: involves occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious body fluids and materials.

Full-time