Registered Nurse - PACU (VB Surgery Center)

Summary

The Operating Room RN is expected to provide excellent clinically competent patient care by utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation. The RN should effectively interact with patients, significant others, and the other healthcare team members, while maintaining the standards of professional nursing. The RN also determines the effectiveness of nursing interventions by evaluating outcomes in relation to evidence-based intervention. The primary focus of the RN is to ensure every patient receives quality care and services through the efficient use of resources. The RN functions within the scope and standards of nursing as defined by the American Nurses Association and the Nurse Practice Act of Virginia. As a member of the healthcare team, the RN is responsible for making decisions and performing services that are in the best interest of the patient, while positively contributing to the patient's experience and the success of the entire team by placing the patient and the team above the needs of the individual.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

• Review the operating room schedule and patient chart to obtain as much patient information as possible.

• Check doctor's preference card and assist in keeping preference card current.

• Assist in collecting the necessary and anticipated instruments, supplies, and equipment for each procedure.

• Ensure all necessary medications are available and ready for use.

• Communicate effectively with peers, physicians, ancillary staff, and the Nursing Administration.

• Assure that appropriate, effective inter/intra-shift communications are maintained.

• Connect, test, and perform safety checks on all electrical surgical equipment and monitors prior to patients entering the surgical suite. Any malfunctions are reported to the appropriate person.

• Develop skills of caring behaviors and caring presence in formal and informal relationships with individuals and groups.

• Document thoroughly and accurately all observations concerning patients and record them in a timely manner.

• Maintain adequate supplies and equipment, assuring the OR is properly prepared prior to each case.

• Identify specific problems and approaches that are individualized for each patient.

• Position patients safely using proper body mechanics.

• Check assignments no more than 5 minutes after the beginning of the shift and prepare for cases, patients, and/or assigned duties immediately.

• Prioritize and organize work in such a manner as to achieve maximum efficiency.

• Demonstrate the ability to work efficiently, with a high level of productivity, and complete assignments within departmental time restraints.

• Assist in the turnover of the OR in preparation for the next case assigned to that room and close down OR at the end of shift.

• Properly document and care for all surgical pathology and laboratory specimens.

• Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services.

• Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care.

• Promptly report problems and concerns to the Charge Person.

• Complete laser training and maintain competency in order to effectively and safely operate laser machines when assigned.

• Complete all other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrate adherence to safety policies and procedures and assist coworkers in compliance with them.

• Demonstrate adherence to Human Resources Policies and Procedures, Departmental Policies and Procedures, and other relevant Organizational Policies and Procedures. Keep up to date on all policy and procedure changes.

• Adapt well to changes in the work environment.

• Ensure the quality of work performed is professional, accurate, and thorough.

• Be adaptable, dependable, and accountable for completion of all assigned tasks.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Reports To: CRSCVB Clinical Director and/or OR Manager
Supervises: N/A
Responsibilities: N/A

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.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education: ADN, Diploma
Preferred Education: BSN

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year experience working in an OR required.

• 2 years preferred.

• Working knowledge of equipment used in an operating room (i.e., electrosurgical unit, various light sources and scopes, sterilizers, surgical tables, and lights), including utilization, maintenance, and safety, required.

• Applicant must have experience in operating room circulating.

• Scrubbing experience is preferred but not required.

• Experience in urology, neurology, and robotic surgery preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

Applicant must hold a current license to work as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Virginia or compact state. Additionally, applicant must currently hold and maintain BLS certification. CNOR is preferred but not required.