Status: PRN - As Needed
Shift: Monday through Friday day shift as needed
Exempt: No
Summary:
Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and be currently licensed by the State Board of Nurse Examiners and worked within Surgical Services for a minimum of two years preferably. BLS certification is required. Membership in ASPAN is encouraged. A positive, supportive attitude and a team member approach are required.
In every surgical patient's journey, a well-run preoperative assessment clinic (PAC) is an essential first step in ensuring excellence in quality and patient safety. (JOPAN May 2011)
Other information:
1. Experience, Knowledge, and Skill
A. Previous experience required: minimum of 2 years’ experience as a RN in a surgical services setting preferred.
B. Specialized Education Required: Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and be currently licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nurse Examiners. BLS will be completed. Certification in area of nursing specialty is encouraged.
C. Manual or Physical Skills required: ability to provide direct/in direct patient care to the pre-operative patients according to ASPAN standards.
D. Physical Effort required:
Strength: Light
Push: Occasionally
Pull: Occasionally
Carry: Occasionally
Lift: Occasionally
Sit: Frequently
Stand: Occasionally
Walk: Frequently
E. Work Complexities
1. Complexity and Difficulty of work: Must have good critical thinking skills and assessment skills.
F. Working Conditions
1. Hazards: Physical effort required. Potential for exposure to blood/body fluids. Must adhere to universal precautions.
G. Contacts
Contact with patients, visitors, vendors, other employees, physicians,
and the public.
Responsibilities:
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
The Pre-Admit Testing nurse is responsible for the education of the patient prior to surgical/diagnostic proceduresin addition to utilizing interview and assessment techniques to identify potential or actual problems. Identified actual or potential problems are communicated to the proceduralist and/or anesthesiologist as applicable. Patient education and interventions are initiated to optimize positive outcomes. All patients are interviewed by the Pre-Admit Testing nurse prior to a scheduled procedure. to .The Pre-Admit Testing nurse obtains required pre-op documents including pre-op orders from the proceduralist and anesthesiologist, if applicable. The Pre-Admit Testing nurse may also be responsible for performing the ordered pre-op testing including EKG and venipuncture/line draws for lab testing, as well as MRSA screening. He/She communicates with providers regarding any additional patient needs including but not limited to any abnormal labs, x rays or EKG findings.
1. Hours of operation are Monday- Friday 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed on holidays and weekends.
2. Follows Standards of Nursing Practice
A. Provides quality patient education as outlined in the ASPAN Standard of Care, department’s policies and procedures and North Oaks Standards of Practice.
B. Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide education to the age of the patient’s served. He/She shall be able to interpret data about the patient’s status to identify each patient’s age specific needs and identify educational and supportive needs of the patient.
C. Addresses, supports, and respects cultural practices if such practices do not harm others or interfere with the planned course of medical therapy.
D. Successfully complete yearly Vendor Fair as well as any department specific competency training.
3. Other area of responsibility are as follows:
A. Fiscal Management
a. Utilizes supplies and materials in a cost effective manner.
b. Monitors levels of inventory in accordance with established desired quantities.
c. Maintains appropriate staffing levels
4. Operational Functions
A. Assists in the orientation of new employees.
B. Ensures individual skills are current by attending relative and educational programs.
C. Assist department nurse Manager in maintenance of policies and procedures.
D. Schedule assignments of personnel as applicable.
E. Assist in data collection and report writing as applicable.
F. Assists Charge Nurse as assigned.
G. Responsible for patient/family teaching and documentation in the appropriate section of the EMR.
H. Demonstrate quality leadership abilities.
I. Function as “Agents of Change”, serves as mentors for nurses desiring to work as Pre-op educators.
J. Completes “Pain Assessment” on all patients. Instructs patient on use of pain scale.
K. Provide education to patients and family members by means of verbal instruction, written instruction, and use of videos when available. This includes pre-op education as well as discharge instructions which will be reviewed with the patient prior to the day of the scheduled procedure.
L. Responsible for pre-op order entry into the EMR for faxed physician orders
M. Responsible for completing ordered pre-op testing including EKG and venipuncture/line draws for lab testing as well as MRSA screening.
5. Surgical Services Environment
A. Maintains a safe environment by adherence to safety principles.
B. Participates in departmental fire and disaster.
C. Complies with infection prevention guidelines.
D. Accurately records information that reflects Peri-Operative nursing care given by the Pre-Admit Testing nurse.
E. Documents activities other than direct nursing care that may affect the patient’s outcome.
6. Performance Improvement/Development
A. Assists in the identification of patient related potential problem areas for referral for quality review.
B. Monitors established quality review indicators for compliance as assigned.
C. Participates as assigned in the department Performance Improvement Committee.
D. Attends committee meeting as designated.
E. Attends in-service programs.
F. Attends and participates in departmental staff meetings.
7. Adhere to policies and procedures.
A. Responsible for adherence to hospital policies and procedures for self and personnel under his/her supervision.
B. Complies with attendance policies.
C. Adhere to acceptable dress code and rules of conduct.
D. Report incidents and injuries appropriately.
E. Knowledgeable of all hospital safety codes and performs duties during drills and actual emergencies.
F. Report unsafe conditions and incidents.
G. Provide a clean environment.
I.Follows North Oaks Health System’s legal compliance programs and Federal and State guidelines. (Patients are charges appropriately for services rendered.)
J. Supports North Oaks Health System’s patient confidentiality issues. (In accordance with HIPPA guidelines)
8. Adheres to and carries out the 4 Cs and exhibits excellent critical thinking skills.
A. Extends courtesy and commitment to others in interpersonal relationships.
B. Compassionate caregiver
C. Demonstrates a professional manner in the work setting.
D. Accepts and acts upon constructive criticism to upgrade abilities.
E. Channels suggestions, criticisms and questions to appropriate persons. (Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager Director)
F. Seeks clarification of duties when indicated.
G. Shares knowledge with others.
H. Displays effective problem solving skills and decision-making abilities.
I. Displays and utilizes conflict resolution skills.
J. Encouraged to support nursing organizations as an active member.
K. Communicates well with physicians and office staff as well as co-workers, patients, and visitors.
9. Performs other duties as requested.
A. Patient/family education and preparation of patient to perform care at home. Discharge teaching is conducted during pre-op interview.
