PRE-ANESTHESIA TESTING NURSE

JOB SUMMARY

Working in conjunction with the Surgical Services Director and OPS/PACU Clinical Care Supervisor, the Pre-Anesthesia Testing RN assesses, plans, implements and collaborates with other departments to ensure excellence in patient and family care, reflective of CCH mission, vision and values. The RN will integrate departmental goals for improvement across the care continuum. She/he coordinates and delegates unit and patient care activities, as appropriate, to other health care providers. The RN practices within the framework of the Wyoming Nurse Practice Act, American Nurses Association professional standards, National Patient Safety Goals, and ASPAN Standards of Care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs pre-anesthesia evaluation and documents in patient record.
• Develops an age-appropriate plan of care, which addresses physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs, in collaboration with other members of the health care team.
• Implements the plan of care, delegates appropriately and ensures documentation of interventions.
• Follows-up on ordered tests and initiates interventions as necessary.
• Educates patient and families regarding current health status, plan of care, and anticipated outcomes.
• Provides service excellence to all customers.
• Demonstrates efficient time management and prioritization skills.
• Maintains professional standards related to clinical practice, staffing and continuing education.
• Practices fiscal responsibility and accountability.
• Actively participates in hospital committees, CQI teams, and Quality Improvement Program.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment.
• May be required to work on other nursing units according to distribution of staff and patients.
• Adheres to Surgical Services Patient Code of Conduct
• Must be free from governmental sanctions involving health care and/or financial practices.
• Complies with the hospital’s Corporate Compliance Program including, but not limited to, the Code of Conduct, laws and regulations, and hospital policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned. This list is non-exhaustive.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Education
  • Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Licensure
  • RN license in state of Wyoming.
• Experience
  • Experience in medical/surgical or critical care nursing preferred.
• Certifications required
  • See Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification Policy and Certifications/Education Requirements Policy.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The ability to maintain continuing education requirements and all certifications and licenses as required (e.g. ACLS, PALS, CPI, CPR) to  maintain RN license.
• Licensed professionals must strictly adhere to the ethical code of their respective discipline.
• Ability to develop positive interaction with patients, patient families, physicians, and staff in order to effectively care for the patients.
• Must be able to assess a patient’s condition, formulate a plan of care, select appropriate interventions, and evaluate patient response to care/treatment and to explain/teach patients about their condition/recovery. Requires higher level of mental faculties accompanied by short- and long-term memory. Ability to function in stressful situations.
• Must be able to assess a patient’s condition, formulate a plan of care, select appropriate interventions, and evaluate patient response to care/treatment and to explain/teach patients about their condition/recovery.
• Maintains clear and concise documentation to reflect identified patient needs and interventions initiated.
• Ability to handle emergency high-stress situations during high-risk procedures.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with frequent interruptions and under stressful conditions.
• Analytical and reasoning skills with a high level of mental concentration and memory.
• Ability to speak clearly to communicate and interact positively with patients, patient families, physicians, and staff in order to effectively care for the patients.
• Computer Knowledge including the ability to enter material into electronic record. Ability to operate fax, computer, and copy machine to perform the duties of the position.
• The ability to demonstrate knowledge of developmental stages and apply developmental theories/concepts when planning and implementing care for the appropriate age of the patient. Ability to maintain the appropriate level of knowledge and skills.
• Computer Knowledge including the ability to enter material into electronic record. Ability to operate fax, computer, and copy machine to perform the duties of the position.
• The ability to demonstrate knowledge of developmental stages and apply developmental theories/concepts when planning and implementing care for the appropriate age of the patient. Ability to maintain the appropriate level of knowledge and skills.
• Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skill in the following age groups:
  • Infant (Neonate to Age 1)
  • Pediatric (Age 1-11)
  • Adolescent (12-18)
  • Adult (19-64)
  • Geriatric (Age 65 and older)