RN Surgical Services

Job Title:

Surgical Services OR RN Job Category:

Nursing Department/Group:

Surgical Services Department #: 023

Location:

Hill Regional Hospital Travel Requirement:

none

Level/Salary Range:

Non-exempt Position Type:

Full Time Job Description Job Summary:

Provides direct patient care to adolescent (≥16 years of age) through geriatric patient populations. (Patients under the 16 years of age are evaluated by anesthesia for appropriateness.) Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment. Communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously and as needed about patient condition. Assists with the maintenance of surgical equipment and inventory. Participates in performance improvement activities. Assesses operating room for equipment functioning and readiness, obtains supplies for individual cases and ensures all appropriate needs of surgical operating team are met. Monitors, positions and assists patient during procedure. Demonstrates Competency in the

Following Areas:

Approaches patient in a kind, gentle and friendly manner. Responds to patient's inappropriate behavior in a therapeutic manner. Takes appropriate actions and documents in response to manifested anxiety or distress. Gives patient explanations and verbal reassurances consistently. Adapts nursing procedures to meet the needs for age specific treatment of each individual. Identifies physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate actions in a timely manner. Demonstrates ability to assess cardiorespiratory systems for changes. Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management. Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors. Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality. Directs and assists in maintenance and handling of special equipment and instruments. Observes behavioral and physiologic changes due to medications, takes appropriate actions and documents. Adjusts expectations of patient behavior and acts according to the effect medication has on patient. Positions patients safely; pads and protects bony prominences. Preps and drapes patients correctly for all procedures. Carries out medical and surgical asepsis during all procedures. Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Protects patient's sensitivities and right to privacy. Demonstrates competence in preparing and cleaning of OR suites before and between cases and after terminal case, based on patient's infection class. Carries out established techniques for safe administration of medications and parenteral fluids, as per hospital policies and procedures. Coordinates and supervises patient care; provides patient and family with teaching/education, as necessary. Supervises licensed practical nurses and surgical technologists in the operating room. Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions and side effects. Follows the eight (8) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors. Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines, central lines, spinal and epidural catheters and how to document appropriately. Is able to open sterile supplies. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of location, care and operation of all surgical equipment. Accurately records, handles and labels specimens; demonstrates care of specimens. Ensures Pre-op Checklist is complete (H&P present, informed consent signed, test results present, surgical site identified, etc.) before patient is taken into surgical suite. Is consistently ready and prepared for assigned cases and manages appropriate turnover time. Appropriately responds to the patient in an emergency or physically distressful situation. Assessment and reassessment of the patient is clearly and concisely communicated in charting. Documentation meets current standards, policies and procedures and is completed within shift. Effectively communicates with the physician in accounting for all sponges, needles and instruments during and after the procedure and documents in the appropriate area. Communicates Clinical Laboratory/Imaging Services reports to the surgeon during the procedure. Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory's and the patient care unit's policies and procedures. Ability to interpret results of waived tests; take appropriate action on waived tests results. Gives thorough report of patient's intraoperative condition to PACU nurse. Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co‑workers for the patient's benefit. Counts narcotics at beginning and end of all shifts with another RN, per hospital policy. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of instrument processing, sterilization and biological monitoring. Actively participates in instrument processing, as schedule allows. Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of dysrhythmias, followed by appropriate treatment. Is able to perform all duties of circulating and scrub nurses. Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain steady level of productivity; self-motivated; manages activity and time; does not waste time.

Professional Requirements:

Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean. Completes annual education requirements. Maintains regulatory requirements. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times. Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time. Is a part of the on-call rotation. Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly. Completes in-services and returns in a timely fashion. Attends annual review and department in-services, as scheduled. Attends at least 6 staff meetings annually, reads and returns all monthly staff meeting minutes. Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner. Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities. Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices. Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.

Regulatory Requirements:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Current Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Texas. Current BCLS certification. Current ACLS certification. Basic EKG or Arrhythmia-identification certification preferred. Minimum of one (1) year work experience in the operating room. Novice RNs will be considered based on vacancy and availability of preceptor.

Language Skills:

Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. Additional languages preferred.

Skills:

Basic computer knowledge.

Physical Demands:

For physical demands of position, including vision, hearing, repetitive motion and environment, see following description. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

Surgery Work Location:

In person