Description

Are you a skilled and compassionate Surgical RN seeking a rewarding career in a critical access hospital setting? Look no further! We are Klickitat Valley Health, a dedicated healthcare institution committed to providing exceptional patient care in a close-knit and supportive environment. As a crucial member of our surgical team, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, personalized care to our community.

Benefits include medical/vision/Rx, HSA/FSA, dental, life insurance, long term disability, retirement plan, medical services credit and a generous amount of Paid Time Off.

Klickitat Valley Health is a rural, critical-access hospital located in scenic Goldendale, Washington only two hours from Portland along the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge. KVH offers emergency and acute inpatient care and a full scope of ancillary services including General Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory, Respiratory Therapy, PT / OT, Behavioral Health, Dental, Pain Management and Hospice. The hospital also owns a busy, well-established primary clinic that is located on hospital campus. Inpatient care is managed by 24/7 Hospitalist staff. KVH employs over 300 staff.

General Summary:

The Surgical Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing patient care in the Surgical Services unit as defined by the Standards and Scope of Practice for the Registered Nurse {Nursing Practice Act (RCW 18.79.010-18.79.902)}. The Surgical RN is an important member of the perioperative team and works collaboratively with the other care team members to provide optimal outcomes for our patients in a compassionate, professional, ethical, and knowledgeable fashion. The Surgical RN demonstrates excellence in customer service during interactions with employees, managers/supervisors, physicians, patients, patients family members, etc. The role of the Surgical RN includes but is not limited to assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of a patient’s status, plan of care, and goal achievement. The Surgical RN is aware of the potential exposure to internal and external hazardous materials, including but not limited to blood and blood-borne pathogens, infectious/communicable diseases, and potential physical injury while caring for patients. Maintains a safe and clean environment for the care of the patient.

Qualifications

Minimum Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications):

Education:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• RN license in Washington State required.
• Current BLS, ACLS, PALS Certification required.
• Current Operating Room Nurse Certification preferred.

Experience:

• Two years nursing experience in a perioperative setting or successful completion of hospital’s surgery nursing internship program preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to):

• Supports the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the statutes and regulations governing nursing and nursing functions within the legal boundaries of Registered Nurse Practice Act.

• Performs a perioperative age-specific assessment on all patients including pediatric, geriatric, and the general patient population to establish an individualized perioperative plan of care.
• Initiates or contributes to the perioperative plan of care for all patients admitted, identifying priorities within the plan and setting realistic and measurable goals, including, but not limited to: identifying where the surgical procedure is performed as to correct site/side/level; appropriate medications, readiness for the surgical procedure, knowledge level of the patient, involving the patient actively in decisions affecting his/her perioperative plan of care and rehabilitation process, communicating with the patient or relevant parties the current status of the patient throughout the continuum of care, etc.
• Evaluates overall plan of care and monitors patient condition or progress, and identifies any changes in status/condition, is able to revise plan of care as indicated by patient’s condition to ensure patient comfort and safety.
• Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Formulates teaching plan for patients and families based upon identified learning needs of the patient.
• Provides education regarding medication management, pain management, wound management, nutritional management and expected response/outcomes to the operative/invasive procedure.
• Delivers and documents patient’s surgical care accurately/completely/legibly as prescribed by physician/provider considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age and within the scope of practice of the Registered Nurse, including: taking vitals, surgical procedure, administering therapies and treatment, starting/maintaining/discontinuing IV lines for medication, blood and blood products; observing the patient and recording those observations, etc.; accurately documents all patient charges as well as times, personnel involvement and procedures in the OR record.
• Performs interventions to maintain the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological systems, as well as fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels.
• Monitors and maintains the integrity, safety and efficiency of the sterile field and breaks in sterile techniques throughout the surgical procedure, takes corrective action as needed.
• Conducts proper patient positioning during the surgical procedure, including immobilization and restraint.
• Uses sound nursing judgment to identify and communicate changes in the patient’s condition to the lead surgical nurse and/or provider in a timely manner consistent with delivery of quality care.
• Communicates nursing interventions and responses to care to other members of the health care team.
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition; administers IV fluids/medications correctly by implementing the 7-rights of safe medication practice (ie, right patient, right medication, right dose, right time, right route, right indication, and right documentation); follows KVH procedures on medication administration to avoid med errors or interactions.
• Assists surgeon with holding scopes or instruments as directed by surgeon within scope of practice, assist with cast application, performs care and services requiring technical and manual skills.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety while protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, mechanical and thermal sources; performs accurate accounting procedures to protect the patient from un-intended retained surgical items; administers medications correctly and safely; performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection; performs interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels; performs interventions to ensure the patient returns to normothermia condition, and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors, and is accountable/responsible for each specific patient assigned.
• Manages the patient’s specimens with proper identification and preservation according to hospital procedure.
• Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes.
• Protects the patient’s rights, dignity and respect.
• Gives or takes report on patient condition in nurse to nurse transfer of patient care at shift change or due to other circumstances.
• Keeps/maintains the surgeon’s preference cards; keeps accurate record/accounting of specialty items and supplies.
• Cleans, inspects, wraps and sterilizes instruments as needed; may assist with purchasing and restocking supplies, maintaining specialty cart.
• Consults other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
• Works collaboratively with other nursing/hospital staff, delegating tasks as necessary to other surgical team members.
• Follows hospital procedure when disposing of biohazardous materials, labeling and handling of all materials.
• Performs new nursing techniques or procedures after successful demonstration of competencies.
• Participates in quality review and performance improvement processes/projects. 
• Comply with all hospital policy and procedures, while upholding the high expectations of KVH.
• Performs/takes call coverage as required.
• Attends a minimum of 80% of nursing staffing meetings and 100% of mandatory in-services.
• Completes initial and annual competencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.