Description:
SUMMARY:
The Pre-operative/Recovery RN is a health professional who is an integral part of the team of practitioners providing care to pre-operative and post-operative patients in an outpatient setting. The RN works within a team of professional and technical staff to ensure that the patient environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that procedures and processes are conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. The RN provides relevant and appropriate education for the patient and care providers throughout the pre-operative and post-operative periods.
POSITION DUTIES
A. Performs focused nursing assessment throughout the patient’s operative care
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Must display comprehensive and current knowledge of general nursing theory and practice including basic disciplines relating to nursing such as bio-psycho-, social and medical sciences and their application to nursing and patient care.
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Must display knowledge of the underlying principles of treatment and nursing procedures. Skilled in patient-population age-based competencies and required patient preparations particularly as they pertain to Ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgical procedures.
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Documents activities and care provided utilizing EMR.
B. Performs Safe Medication Administration
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Current knowledge on the actions and side effects of pharmaceuticals, anesthetic agent’s effects, and reversal agent effects.
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Administers medication following 5 rights and with aseptic technique. This includes drops and betadine prep.
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Assists in control of inventory, drugs, supplies and equipment.
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Maintains a working knowledge of fluid and electrolyte balances.
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Understanding of proper positioning techniques, anesthesia, anesthetic agents’ effects, and reversal agent effects.
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Adds epinephrine to BSS bottles for each case to assist scrub tech as needed. Monitors BSS levels during surgery to change as needed.
C. Demonstrates thorough knowledge/implements principles of aseptic technique
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Knowledge of surgical instruments and equipment to include the use, handling, and care. Knowledge of surgical procedures, techniques, symptoms, complications of surgery and anesthesia, and consequent nursing interventions.
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Helps prepare operating room and maintenance of the sterile environment.
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Assists with pulling cases: supplies, equipment, lenses, and instruments for procedures. Organizes special order lenses. Assists with unpacking and re-stocking of supplies and lenses.
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Performs aseptic prep, assists with draping.
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Maintains a constant vigilance on activities observing for breaks in aseptic technique or safety practices, while keeping room as orderly and neat as possible.
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Moves with or near the sterile field keeping a secure distance of 12 inches thus protecting the sterile field.
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Sets up and prepares equipment outside the sterile field for use during the procedure. Keeps OR stocked with frequently used items
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Assist with room turnover, clean up, and stocking, operates the sterilization required as needed. Performs end of day duties: reordering stock lenses, mailing lens cards, updating lens inventory, and assisting coworkers with cleaning tasks.
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Ensures a smooth transition from one surgeon to the other on shared days.
D. Circulating Tasks
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Correctly identifies patient. Provides additional instruction as needed. Verifies operative site with patient and assures correct site is effectively and accurately marked. Verifies allergies, assesses patient readiness/nervousness and discusses with the team.
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Ensures consents are appropriate for all procedures.
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Manages room during procedure, paying attention to anticipate any need of the Scrub RN/tech or surgeon.
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Assist in transporting or escorting patients to and from the OR and helps position them appropriately.
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Performs ‘Time-out’ per policy utilizing EMR safety checklist.
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Helps to gown all members of the surgical team, positions and adjusts equipment to include microscopes, foot pedals, stretchers, Mayo stands.
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Supervises and participates in sharps/needle counts as applicable per policy/procedure standards.
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Coordinates with ancillary services as required. Labels and completes appropriate paperwork as required by outside lab facilities for all specimens.
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Procures unanticipated items needed for members of the sterile team and anesthesia during the surgical procedure. Assists scrub, anesthesia, and the physician to assure a smooth operation.
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Assists with surgical dressing if needed.
E. Maintains a safe environment for patients and personnel
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Ensures coworkers have daily schedules for sub sterile rooms.
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Monitors utilization and care of physical plant, supplies, and equipment to provide for cleanliness and operational ability at all times. Checks for outdates of supplies/medication monthly and assists with daily housekeeping per log.
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Meets regulatory guidelines surrounding fire safety, medication safety, and sharps use.
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Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the application of the OSHA blood-borne pathogens standards to the workplace.
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Must be able to maintain patient and facility confidentiality.
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Must possess demonstrated communication skills, which indicate the ability to be successful at counseling and teaching.
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Able to recognize emergency situations and assist in corrective actions.
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Knowledge of the organizations mission plans for improvement, policies, procedures, standards, goals and objectives, cost containment activities, and emergency and biomedical standards.
Requirements:
I.QUALIFICATIONS
A. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed to practice in Maine.
B. BCLS certification required, ACLS preferred.
C. Minimum of 2 years nursing with medical/surgical or equivalent experience.
II. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
A. Good general physical health required due to long periods of standing, walking, and lifting work. Must be well coordinated and have full mobility. Dexterity necessary.
B. This position often exerts 25lbs of force, occasionally exerts up to 75lbs of force. Occasionally stooping, crouching, kneeling, overhead reaching, below level reaching, lifting and carrying a maximum of 50lbs.
C. Visual and audio acuity as needed to meet job performance required, including paper and computer screens. Must be able to speak clearly and distinctly. Must be able to listen and direct.
D. Must be able to respond to challenging situations with emotional stability. Must be able to demonstrate skill in organization of multiple tasks.
E. Possible exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, and medicinal preparations.
