Surgery RN

About the Role

Under the direction of the Outpatient Services Manager and according to established policies and procedures, the Staff Nurse performs assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for all assigned patients in the Specialty Clinic, Surgical/PACU areas. The Registered Nurse is accountable to the Outpatient Services Manager, Director of Nursing, and the patient and family.

Responsibilities

• Assess and organize patient data to develop a plan of care and discharge plan.
• Prioritize, plan, and provide direct patient care to assigned patients during pre-operative, intra-operative, recovery, and immediate post-operative phases.
• Supervise assistive and ancillary department personnel.
• Use communication and interpersonal skills to provide care to surgical and specialty patients and their families.
• Relay pertinent information through appropriate documentation and referral to other health team members.
• Maintain quality patient care following professional standards and administrative, nursing, and department policies and procedures.
• Initiate, implement, evaluate, and revise patient teaching plans as needed to meet the patient’s learning needs.
• Provide an environment conducive to professional practice by functioning as a role model and resource person.
• Participate in department-related and hospital-wide committees, activities, in-services, and education.
• Assimilate new clinical knowledge and skills from conferences, workshops, seminars, and professional literature into practice.
• Operate all equipment in Pre-op, Surgery, PACU, Specialty Clinics, and as needed in ER and Medical-Surgical units with minimal assistance. (If only working in specialty clinic, operate only the equipment needed for those clinics.)
• Work quickly and efficiently in emergencies.
• Meet the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patient.
• Respect the patient as an individual, identifying cultural needs and utilizing them.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times, both interdepartmentally and externally.
• Participate in all safety, security, and infection control programs that are mandatory or provided by the department.
• Uphold confidentiality and HIPAA compliance; report violations to the Privacy Officer.
• Understand and comply with Saunders Medical Center’s Compliance Program, including the Code of Conduct and compliance policies.
• Participate in all education and training programs regarding compliance as required.
• Demonstrate personal traits of high-level commitment, motivation, energy, team orientation, professionalism, trust, honesty, integrity, and respect for others.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager of Outpatient Services.

Requirements

• Operating Room and PACU experience preferred; cross-training will be provided as needed.
• Participate in and attend educational conferences to update and maintain professional knowledge and skills.
• Attend departmental and staff meetings regularly.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Nebraska.
• Current BLS certification required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification required within the first year of employment. (BLS only required if working exclusively in specialty clinic.)

Skills

• Ability to read, write, and follow written and oral instructions; strong communication skills.
• Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, patients, visitors, and the general public.
• Understand technical information from supervisors, charts, reference books, manuals, and labels.
• Analytical skills necessary to organize workload according to patient priorities.
• Mathematical skills sufficient to perform essential duties of the position.
• Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift 100 pounds rarely and 75 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to properly position and transport patients.
• Ability to maintain a stationary standing position for up to 4 hours rarely and 3 hours occasionally.
• Ability to stabilize unsteady patients when ambulating.

Work Environment

• Hospital environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise and temperature changes.
• Exposure to some anesthetic gases and fluorescent lighting.
• Attendance is essential and required for a successful working environment.