Job Summary
Peakpoint Midtown West is seeking a Pre/Post-Operative Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to provide skilled nursing care during the pre- and post-operative phases, under the direction of a Registered Professional Nurse (RN), consistent with the LPN scope of practice defined in New York Education Law Section 6902. The LPN contributes to coordinated patient care in collaboration with the Center's health care team, functions as a patient advocate consistent with the Patient's Bill of Rights and demonstrates professional growth by accepting responsibility and accountability for their nursing practice within the bounds of their license.
Key Areas of Responsibility (under the direction of the RN)
A. Data Collection and Assessment Support
Note: In New York State, the RN is responsible for performing the nursing assessment and formulating the nursing diagnosis. The LPN collects and reports clinical data that supports the RN's assessment.
- Verifies the operative procedure using the consent form, the patient's statement, and, if needed, the surgeon's verification prior to the procedure.
- Observes and reports the condition of the skin, including rashes, bruises, lesions, and previous incisions.
- Collects information on patient mobility through the patient's statement, observed range of motion, and the history and physical, and reports findings to the RN.
- Reports deviations in diagnostic studies, such as lab or radiology reports, to the RN.
- Checks pre-operative vital signs upon admission to surgery: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temperature.
- Identifies the presence of prostheses, such as dentures, pacemakers, and joint implants.
- Notes nutritional status, such as NPO status.
- Verifies allergies to medication, food, or chemicals.
- Communicates and documents physiological data to other members of the surgical and health care team, including data relevant to discharge planning.
- Collects and reports information regarding the psychological status of the patient/family to the RN.
- Elicits patient expectations of care and outcome of surgery and communicates these to the RN.
- Identifies potential barriers to understanding, such as language differences, and notifies the RN or arranges interpreter services as needed.
- Identifies philosophical, religious, and cultural beliefs relevant to the intraoperative phase, such as views on blood transfusions, disposition of limbs, and sacraments, and reports these to the RN.
- Communicates and documents psychological data to other members of the surgical and health care team, including data relevant to discharge planning.
- Reports collected health status data to the RN, who is responsible for formulating the nursing diagnosis and plan of care.
B. Care Coordination in Support of the RN's Plan of Care
Note: New York law reserves development and modification of the nursing care plan to the RN. The LPN implements and supports the RN-directed plan.
- Provides positioning aids during the intra-operative phase to help prevent skin breakdown or impairment of the nervous or vascular system, as directed.
- Provides equipment to help ensure patient safety related to electrosurgery and laser use.
- Coordinates use of supplies and equipment for intra-operative care.
- Organizes own nursing tasks in a logical, efficient sequence consistent with the RN's plan of care.
- Coordinates patient care needs with other members of the surgical and health care team.
- Notifies the RN or Charge Nurse of staffing and personnel needs so that assignments can be made based on qualifications and patient acuity. (LPNs do not independently assign patient care responsibilities to other licensed staff.)
- Maintains required certifications (CPR/ACLS) and performs effectively in an emergency situation.
- Communicates and documents observations and actions relevant to the patient's plan of care to the RN and other members of the health care team, including information relevant to discharge planning.
C. Implementation
- Transfers the patient according to the RN-directed plan of care.
- Confirms patient identity using the identification bracelet.
- Notifies the RN of transport needs so that appropriate personnel can be assigned based on patient acuity and staffing availability.
- Follows established protocols to determine an appropriate and safe method of transport, consulting the RN as needed.
- Provides for the patient's emotional needs during transport.
- Communicates and documents the method of transport.
- Participates in patient/family teaching.
- Participates in pre-operative teaching as needed, such as explaining the surgical routine and environment.
- Communicates and documents patient/family teaching.
- Anticipates needed equipment and supplies, using the surgeon preference card.
- Selects equipment and supplies in an organized, timely, and cost-effective manner throughout the peri-operative phase.
- Confirms all equipment is functioning before use.
- Operates mechanical, electrical, and powered equipment according to manufacturer instructions and Center policy.
- Removes malfunctioning equipment from service, tags it appropriately, and initiates repair.
- Uses supplies judiciously and in a cost-effective manner.
- Communicates and documents provision of equipment and supplies, including charges.
- Administers medications and solutions as prescribed, in accordance with Center policy and physician/RN direction.
- Administers IV therapy only if trained and competent in accordance with New York State IV Therapy training requirements (10 NYCRR Section 400.15), and only under the onsite direction of the supervising RN or physician.
- Does not administer IV anesthetic or sedation agents (e.g., propofol, ketamine, etomidate) for moderate or deep sedation and does not administer blood or blood products; New York State reserves these tasks to RNs and other qualified providers in ambulatory surgery centers.
- Communicates and documents administration of medications and solutions, including any medication errors, according to policy.
- Monitors and reports physical symptoms, behavioral changes, intake and output, and vital signs to the RN.
- Reports physiological changes to the RN promptly; the RN interprets the clinical data and directs the appropriate nursing or medical action.
- Communicates and documents the patient's physiological response to other members of the surgical and health care team, including information relevant to discharge planning.
- Helps monitor and control the environment to support optimal patient care, such as room temperature, sensory stimuli, and traffic and noise levels.
- Adheres to all safety policies and procedures.
- Maintains appropriate traffic patterns in the peri-operative environment.
- Adheres to sanitation policies for infection control, including containment and waste disposal.
- Communicates and documents environmental controls or breaks in technique promptly and appropriately.
- Demonstrates awareness of and practices according to the Patient's Bill of Rights and Center policy.
- Helps provide for patient safety and maintains patient confidentiality.
- Communicates and documents provision for patient's rights as appropriate.
D. Evaluation and Professional Accountability
- Exercises sound judgment within the LPN scope of practice when making decisions.
- Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to changes in nursing practice.
- Responds constructively to feedback and recommendations for improvement.
- Demonstrates tact, understanding, and good guest relations with patients, visitors, team members, and other units.
- Practices within ethical and legal guidelines, including the New York State LPN scope of practice.
- Seeks opportunities for continued learning.
- Communicates and documents nursing actions.
- Monitors the patient's progress toward outcome criteria established by the RN in the plan of care, and reports observations regarding degree of achievement to the RN.
- Communicates and documents observed progress toward goals to other members of the surgical and health care team, including information relevant to discharge planning.
- Continuously monitors the patient's needs and reports observations to the RN, who evaluates the plan of care and nursing actions and adjusts the plan as needed to support optimal patient outcomes.
- Monitors the patient post-operatively, collects relevant data, and reports findings to the RN, who determines the effectiveness of care in relation to patient goals.
- Communicates and documents findings and results of nursing care to other members of the surgical and health care team, including information relevant to discharge planning.
- Participates in Quality Improvement Program activities, including identifying aspects of care, collecting and analyzing data, formulating recommendations, and supporting implementation and evaluation of improvement plans.
- Acts as a resource to other staff, consistent with teamwork philosophy.
- Adheres to OSHA guidelines for Universal Precautions regarding exposure to blood and body fluids, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Participates in the orientation of new employees, students, and approved program participants.
- Attends Center staff and unit meetings and educational opportunities.
- Demonstrates flexibility in meeting the needs of the Center.
- Follows AORN Recommended Practices and Center policy at all times.
- Assists visitors, staff, and physicians, using good guest relations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Current, active New York State LPN license required.
- Current BLS and ACLS certification required.
- Completion of a New York State-approved IV Therapy training program and demonstrated annual competency, in accordance with 10 NYCRR Section 400.15, required for LPNs providing IV therapy services.
- Minimum of two (2) years peri-operative experience, preferably in an ambulatory setting.
- Required to successfully complete facility-wide competencies.
- Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills.
- Prior knowledge of surgical instrumentation and peri-operative equipment, or ability to learn.
- Requires prolonged periods of standing and walking.
- Requires ability to perform lifting and transport of patients, and lifting of instrument trays and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to work with a minimum of supervision within the LPN scope of practice, and to organize work in order of importance.
- Ability to work effectively in stressful situations and in a variety of peri-operative environments.
- Requires manual dexterity to operate equipment and handle instrumentation, hearing to understand verbal instructions, and near vision to distinguish supplies and instrumentation.
Working Conditions
- Practices under the direction of the RN, and is accountable to the Clinical Coordinator, Charge Nurse, and Executive Director/Administrator.
- Normal peri-operative environment with exposure to chemical odors, cleaning solvents, and other hazardous materials. Must follow established procedures to ensure safety.
- Exposure to possible injury when working with electrical equipment and lasers, which requires care and adherence to proper safety procedures.
Based on the OSHA guidelines for protection against exposure to Hepatitis and HIV, this position is described as Category I. This means that this position has exposure to blood and body fluids. Policies are in place for Universal Precautions identifying exposure risks and appropriate barrier protection.
Pay: $33.00 - $38.00 per hour
Benefits:
Medical Specialty:
Experience:
- Acute care, Urgent Care, or other direct patient care : 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
Shift availability:
Work Location: In person
