RN PreOp

Position Summary:

Delivers nursing care in the Pre-Operative Care Unit RN for patients entering surgery.

The staffing of Summit Medical Center is based on a teamwork concept. Employees may be cross-trained in other clinical areas and may be expected to perform duties other than their normal ones as staffing and patient needs change.

Responsibilities:

1. Ensures that the Pre-Operative Care Unit always has a clean and therapeutic environment for all patients
2. Ensures supplies and equipment needed are available and in good working order
3. Makes an initial assessment and determines the nursing needs of the patient
4. Follows and implements the physician’s orders and performs all required nursing activities
5. Explains nursing procedures and actions taken to help reduce anxiety
6. Identifies the patient’s physical and mental status
7. Monitors the patient’s medical condition and reports any significant changes to the admitting physician or anesthesiologist
8. Documents accurately in the patient’s medical record the care received and the progress in the recovery process
9. Assures that the patient fits the documented criteria prior to surgery
10. Gives patients and family members emotional support as necessary
11. Performs other duties as assigned or requested
12. Maintains established center/departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards
13. Maintains department records, reports, and files as required
14. Maintains and cares for department equipment and supplies
15. Participates in educational programs and in-service meetings
16. Maintains confidentiality of patient and center-related business
17. Develops and maintains an effective working relationship with patients, families, visitors, and other center employees
18. Documents concisely, precisely, and accurately on all records or documents as indicated by policy
19. Participates in Quality Assessment activities as directed for the continuous improvement of patient care and center business
20. Understands and maintains clinical competencies (general, age-specific, and drug administration)

Qualifications:

1. Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing
2. Current Registered Nurse licensure in the state of Oklahoma
3. Current BLS certification; ACLS and PALS required within 6 months of employment
4. Previous pre-operative experience required

Special Skills and Knowledge:

1. Nursing care of the pre-operative patient
2. Operation of vital signs monitors
3. Assessment Skills
4. IV Therapy
5. Principles of Standard Precautions
6. CPR

Essential Functions:

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.

1. Ability to adequately assess, diagnose, plan, and implement nursing interventions and evaluate patient condition
2. Compliance with the attendance policy
3. Compliance with continuing and mandatory education programs
4. Possesses appropriate communication skills to practice collaborative nursing
5. Ability to respond quickly, physically, and mentally when priorities and /or the patient’s condition change

Physical/Mental Requirements for Position:

1. Ability to read and write (legibly)
2. Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively
3. Ability to understand and resolve simple to complex problems
4. Ability to understand simple to complex instructions
5. Ability to constantly walk, stand, and/or lift
6. Ability to frequently utilize the full range of motion, including crouching, stooping, reaching, bending, and twisting
7. Ability to frequently lift, pull, push with the assistance of one other person, the weight of the average patient
8. Ability to see and hear, and distinguish color
9. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks
10. Ability to function independently without constant supervision

Bloodborne Pathogen Classification:

Category 1-Occupational exposure