Surgical Services Registered Nurse

Description

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Surgical Services Registered Nurse

Effective Date: October 24, 2021 

Supervisor: Director of Outpatient Services

Department: Surgical Services

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Administers patient-centered nursing care as outlined in scope of practice according to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) guidelines including:

a. Consults and coordinates with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans;

b. Reviews and evaluates completeness of medical chart;

c. Prepares and reviews the department's readiness for the patients and surgical cases with personnel;

d. Ensures operating on correct patient and the correct procedure is being performed;

e. Takes care of the needs of the surgical patient and staff during the surgical procedure;

f. Observes and maintains integrity of sterile field;

g. Recovers and discharges patient after surgical procedure;

h. Helps with cleaning and preparing the surgical suite for the next surgical case;

i. During the surgical procedure: 

i. Assists in positioning, responding to comfort/safety of patient,

ii. Provides for accurate care and handling of specimens,

iii. Observes and enforces strict standards of asepsis,

iv. Observes, checks and monitors all equipment used during surgery to confirm they are running smooth,

v. Handles patient documentation,

vi. Inventories all items both pre- and post- surgery.

2. Maintains medical record documentation to accurately reflect care administered and patient's condition. Records all care information concisely, accurately, and completely in a timely manner in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms. 

3. Provides holistic support to patients and patient designated support system.

4. Educates patients and designated support system on a plan of care.

5. Provides accurate and detailed handoff to staff to ensure consistency and continuity of care.

6. Supervises less skilled nursing healthcare personnel.

7. Evaluates and implements patient care plans.

8. Assumes role and responsibility of Patient Educator as needed. 

9. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.) 

10. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste. 

11. Responsible for following safe-injection practices. 

12. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.

13. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.

14. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, etc).

15. Participates in shared governance committee as requested.

16. Communicates with multidisciplinary team to ensure patient-centered holistic care.

17. Represents the facility accurately, honestly, and acts with integrity and in the best interest of the facility while practicing by the mission and vision.

18. Maintains harmonious relationships within the department and among coworkers, providing support and assistance to co-workers to ensure quality patient care.

19. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.

20. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Knowledge and understanding of nursing theory and practice and the growth and development of a variety of patients in order to meet the patients' health care needs as is typically acquired through the completion of an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited school. Bachelor's degree preferred. 

2. Must hold a current active Registered Nurse license from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act.

3. Current Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications via American Heart Association required within six months of hire and/or orientation.

4. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.

5. Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.

6. Ability to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees, and regulatory agencies.

7. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

8. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities. 

Working conditions

1. Required to be able to stand constantly to help assist surgeon as necessary, such as retrieving correct instruments to be used. Patient beds are to be transported up to 200 feet in distance requiring 35 pounds of horizontal force with 2 people assist in moving patients to and from surgery. Lifting up to 35 pounds is required for patient transferring. Transferring patients to beds may require multiple people assist up to 50 pounds to lift and transfer the patient. Surgical pans and equipment that weigh up to 35 pounds are to be transported a distance approximately 60 feet into surgical rooms if needed. 5 pound IV bags are to be lifted up to 65 inches to be placed on poles and for stocking shelves in the surgery area. During patient positioning for draping and sterilization purposes, patient extremities are to be held away from body requiring holding 25 pounds up to 5 minutes. Gross motor UE repetitive frequent use and movement for handling instruments and equipment during surgery. The worker is required to crawl short distances to help assist with cleaning, adjusting equipment, assisting in surgery, and emergency situations that may require short distance crawling as well. To help assist surgery, the worker may be required to attain various body postures/positioning, such as bending, kneeling, crouching, and squatting depending what is needed for that particular surgery. Shelves are to be stocked and equipment to be retrieved from shelves ranging from various heights, reaching overhead consistent with heights equal to that of lifting IV bags onto poles. May be required to push a patient wheelchair, requiring an initial 40 pounds of horizontal force to begin movement of a 300-pound person, and 25 pounds of horizontal force for continued pushing in hallways.

2. Exposure to infections, communicable, and contagious diseases up to 75% of work time. Exposure to risk of bloodborne diseases, high steam pressure and radiological environment up to 75% of work time. Exposure to hazardous chemicals, anesthetic waste gases, medications, body fluids, and waste up to 75% of work time. Exposure to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment up to 75% of work time. Subject to burns and cuts.

3. Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.  

4. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment. 

Management responsibilities

1. None

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.