Surgery RN

Accepting applications for a full-time Surgery RN/circulating nurse. This full time benefits eligible position will have a Monday thru Friday schedule with rotation in the on-call schedule. With many functions within the surgery department, she/he is responsible for maintaining a neat, quiet, well-organized operating room and must be able to anticipate and meet the needs of the scrub nurse, the surgeon, CRNA, and the patient. Above all, she/he is responsible for the safety and comfort of the patient.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ability to organize and direct personnel, with understanding of interpersonal relations.
• Ability to differentiate between situations that demand immediate attention and those of lesser importance.
• Ability to anticipate needs of surgical situation and staff.
• Ability to maintain a quiet, neat, and well-equipped unit.
• Understand thoroughly the principles of asepsis.
• Ability to teach actively and act as a role model for desired performance.
• Understand thoroughly how to operate, connect and trouble shoot the laparoscopy equipment.
• Have a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations involving the OR.
• Ability to skillfully assist the CRNA in starting IVs, giving blood, locating meds, etc.
• ACLS training is mandated, as soon as classes are available, for all nurses in surgery.
• Must have knowledge of location of supplies and equipment in surgery department.
• Must have knowledge of instruments.
• Must be able to take surgical call to cover hours the surgery department is closed (ie. 3:00 pm to 7:00 am weekdays and 24 hours a day Saturday, Sunday and holidays).

REQUIRIED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Help scrub person set up surgery room before case by preparing equipment to be used during procedure, open supplies, prepare prep supplies, etc.
• Check chart - make sure all lab values are appropriate, all orders have been completed, check off sheet is completed.
• Assist patient to surgery gurney or wheelchair in room and transport to OR within appropriate time for anesthesia. Have knowledge of correct positioning of surgical patient.
• Assume responsibility with the other team members for the comfort and safety of the patient.
• Tie surgical gowns for scrub person and surgeons.
• Prep patient. Have knowledge of required area needing prepped and individual doctor's preferences of prep solutions, etc.
• Observe sterile technique at all times to see that it is maintained properly. If there is a break in sterile technique, it must be remedied. Circulating nurse will bring this to the attention of any staff member.
• Attach the suction apparatus and see that it is functioning properly. Attach cautery cord to cautery machine and set to correct settings. Attach cautery ground pad to patient and machine.
• Strategically place buckets to retrieve discarded sponges.
• Count the following with the scrub nurse:
  • Instruments, sponges, needles, and blades at the end of the case (before the peritoneum is completely closed).
  • Do not permit any gauze of any kind to be carried from the OR during a surgical procedure unless the surgeon has been asked.
  • NO instruments should be removed from OR before closure.
• Keep the scrub nurse supplied with dressings, sponges, suture material, etc.
• Retrieve instruments, etc., that accidentally fall from the table.
• Replace saline or water in basins as necessary. Know where warm fluids are kept for surgery.
• Prepare dressing materials to be used following wound closure (tape, ABD, etc.).
• Understand the mechanics of the operating room table. Know how to raise and lower table sections and attach accessory pieces such as stirrups/holders.
• Draw up and give medications as ordered by the CRNA, add on other IVs or blood that may be needed. Assist CRNA with intubation of general anesthesia patients or with epidural/spinal positioning of patients.
• Take care of and label all specimens. Ask surgeon, if necessary, of information for labeling specimen or what history to record for pathologist.
• Complete surgery records. Note the times when anesthesia initiated, surgery start time, finish time, and the time the patient leaves OR. Complete surgery log and classification log.
• Do surgery charges with scrub nurse.
• Have knowledge of sterilizer to be able to flash instruments that may be needed during procedure.
• Be prepared to initiate and implement emergency care in the case of such emergencies as malignant hyperthermia, fire in the surgery department, electricity failure or other disasters that may occur when surgery is in progress.
• The Surgery Nurse works indoors in well-lighted and ventilated rooms. She/he may be exposed to communicable diseases, cuts or minor burns from instruments and equipment,

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

An RN minimum education is required. Current KS license as a Registered Nurse is required.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE:

Neat, clean, and well groomed. Dress in required uniform.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

May have to lift equipment or packages up to 50 pounds. There is a possibility of strains due to moving of patients, or injury from irrational patients.