Pre & Post-Op RN

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.
• Counsels patients and their families on health issues.
• Participates in center committees, meetings, in-services, and activities.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers.
• Interacts with others in a positive, respectful, and considerate manner.
• Uses center resources appropriately and avoids wasteful practices.
• Analyzes work area and makes recommendations for potential cost-effective improvements.
• Contributes to the progress and development of the organization's adopted compliance program.
• Contributes to the progress and development of the organization's adopted performance-improvement 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.
• Participates in continuing education and other learning experiences.
• Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations.
• Welcomes suggestions and recommendations.
• 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.
• Greets patient and provides comfort and reassurance.
• Performs thorough admission assessment of patient.
• Develops a plan of care for the patient based on assessment data and implements admission care.
• 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.
• 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.
• Absorb 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

• 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.