Scope: Responsible for activities related to the care of the patient within the operating room. Create and maintain a safe and comfortable environment in which surgery can take place. Decrease the potential for complications; implement the principles of medical and surgical asepsis. Must be capable of working in all nursing positions in the operating room such as Admission Nurse, Recovery Nurse, Circulator and Scrub Nurse.
Essential Job Functions:
Receives patient charts from physicians' offices and reviews for missing/needed documentation along with reviewing patient medical history/medication lists. Ensures all documentation, lab results and diagnostic testing is current within specified time frames required
Performs pre-operative phone calls to assess patient, re-iterate pre-operative instructions along with instructions specific to the day of surgery. Communicates any abnormal findings or concerns with the physician and/or anesthesia provider to avoid delays or cancellations on the day of surgery
Performs admission assessment and documentation the day of surgery. Demonstrates understanding of medication administration and IV skills. Reviews and completes any physician/anesthesia pre-operative orders
Communicates with physician/anesthesia provider in regards to any patient concerns or change in assessment the day of surgery
Performs duties in a timely manner. Anticipates delays and adjusts patient flow to minimize OR downtime. Communicates any changes in patient flow to OR in order to allow for adjustments as indicated
Review patient chart for all needed documentation and verify the information on the consent form with the patient prior to taking the patient to the OR
Assist with proper patient positioning in the OR to promote patient safety and to avoid patient injury
Assist anesthesia provider during induction of anesthesia. Exhibit an understanding of the sedated/anesthetized patient and interventions essential to patient safety
Maintain sterile environment during the prep and observes/corrects breaks in sterile technique during procedure by alerting the scrubbed personnel and surgeon of the contamination
Able to administer conscious sedation as directed by supervising physician
Demonstrates proper understanding of equipment and supplies used during each case. Knows location of all equipment, supplies and instruments to minimize out of room time if additional supplies and equipment are needed during the procedure
Performs effective hand-off to PACU nurse
Demonstrates knowledge in how to handle emergent/critical situations effectively and calmly
Scrub Nurse/Sterile Processing:
Inspect OR prior to the first case of the day to ensure it is clean and stocked for the scheduled case load
Work with assigned circulating nurse to set up/turn over cases. Verify that all needed supplies are available for the procedure prior to patient arrival to OR. Verify all equipment is in proper working order prior to patient arrival to OR
Communicate any supply or equipment problems to the operating physician prior to taking the patient to the room
Checks all items for sterility and proper working order during set-up prior to case start
Anticipates/provides for physician needs, preps/drapes patient as indicated for specific procedure
Exhibits understanding and practices proper sterile technique during entire case
Demonstrates high level of knowledge/skill to properly assist surgeon during case to include knowledge of procedure and needed supplies and instrumentation
Protects patient and OR team from safety hazards at all time. To include proper handling of sharps/electrosurgical equipment and all items on the surgical field containing blood/body fluids
Performs surgical counts with circulating nurse at indicated times throughout the procedure. Minimizing interruptions and ensuring direct visualization for all participants in count and proper amounts are accounted for
After counts are complete and dressings are applied, assists nurse/anesthesia with transferring patient to transport vehicle
Breaks down and cleans room preparing for next scheduled case
Possesses understanding of instrument decontamination/cleaning procedures. Including proper disassembling of instrumentation based on manufacture's guidelines
Maintains proper knowledge of instrumentation and is able to sort appropriate trays. Inspects instrumentation for proper working order. Able to detect malfunction/damage
Maintains proper labeling of trays/instrument packs reviewing for shelf life and expirations dates taking proper action as indicated
Recovery Nurse:
Inspect recovery room in the morning for presence of supplies needed for the day
Perform narcotic counts each morning
Obtain report from delivering clinician upon receiving patients. Ask questions to ensure adequate knowledge of the patient
Performs assessment of the patient. Understands actions of medications received and anticipate patients' needs during the post-operative recovery period
Documents proper PACU information clearly and completely as required
Assesses patient pain level and complaints. Follows established/written orders and utilizes proper nursing judgment when medicating patients
Assures patient safety at all times
Demonstrates knowledge in how to handle emergent/critical situations effectively and calmly. Notifies anesthesia/physician of any unexpected changes in patient condition
Ensures patient meets all necessary criteria prior to discharge
Provides patient/responsible party with post-operative instructions in a manner that is easily understood. Ensures all questions are answered and verifies understanding of instructions provided
Completes post-operative phone calls and properly documents in PACU records. Addresses/forwards all patient concerns to proper physicians' offices as indicated
Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.
Able to function in both Surgical and Endoscopy settings.
Must maintain annual compliance education.
Uphold the patients' right to dignity, privacy and confidentiality.
Recognize the patient's rights to be an active participant in their plan of care, and provide perioperative education involving family and significant others when appropriate.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Presents to work on time as scheduled.
Qualifications:
Possession of a valid Virginia License as a Registered Nurse
Two (2) years of verifiable experience as a Registered Nurse in a hospital operating room/recovery room or equivalent experience
Capable of working in capacity of Admission, PACU, Scrub, Circulator Nurse, Sterile Processing, and Endoscopy
Knowledge of nursing principles and practices in the operating room
Ability to get along with the public and make patients feel welcome and comfortable