Pre-Op/PACU Registered Nurse

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

To deliver professional nursing care to patients at Parkway Surgery Center (PSC) and ensure that all duties assigned are done in a timely manner

JOB FUNCTIONS:

Perform the following duties on a daily basis or as needed. 

• Demonstrate awareness of patients’ concerns and a willingness to address them.
• Follow OSHA and HIPAA Standards.
• Ensure patient’s safety and comfort.
• Observe pertinent changes in symptoms of patients’ condition and take appropriate action; report to physician.
• Document all pertinent messages or communication with patient in patient’s chart.
• Perform pre- and postoperative teachings with patients, family and/or care givers. To include performing/reviewing One Medical Passport on all anesthesia patients.
• Review preoperative charts to ensure all lab studies and necessary paperwork are available for surgery.
• Pull required paperwork for preoperative charts.
• Make pre- and postoperative phone calls to patients.
• Admit and prepare patient for surgery.
• Assists physician with the treatment of the patient as needed.
• Draw blood and obtain other laboratory samples as needed.
• Obtain appropriate patient signature on consent and other forms.
• Administer medications topically, by mouth (PO), intravenously (IV), or intramuscularly (IM).
• Administer PO and IV sedation as ordered by physician.
• Monitors the sedated patient and discharge home as per protocol.
• Assists anesthesia personnel as needed in accordance with RN scope of practice established by South Carolina Board of Nursing.
• Monitor patients during the post anesthesia period, then discharge home when stable and according to protocol.
• Provide the patient with instruction and education regarding routine and minor medical questions.
• Complete all patient care documentation records.
• Chart audits.
• Clean and restock assigned area.
• Make appropriate follow up visit appointment at time of discharge.
• When appropriate, ensure patient has all necessary paperwork and instruction for admission to hospital or appointment for further procedures/tests.
• Perform chart audits.
• Assist with updating of printed material.
• Check charts for completeness and close out.
• Answer phones, take messages (pull corresponding patient chart as needed), and transfer calls when appropriate.
• Initiate communication with the Administrator and/or Manager in areas that require feedback, follow-up, or need to be addressed.
• Assist with scheduling and rescheduling patients for surgeries/procedures.
• Assist with looking for charts, filing reports in medical charts and filing charts as needed.
• Count narcotics twice daily with another nurse and sign in and out narcotics as they are ordered.
• Check crash cart and defibrillator daily and document appropriately.
• Follow-up on pathology reports making sure a copy is in the patient chart.
• Be prepared for all cases at the scheduled surgery times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITY:

Provide nursing service to ensure the center’s objectives are achieved in an effective, timely, and efficient manner.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Holds current state licensure as a registered nurse in the state of South Carolina; insurable by an appropriate medical malpractice insurer for the limits required by Parkway Surgery Center; demonstrates current competency in those clinical responsibilities as listed previously. Current BCLS and ACLS or willing to obtain.

Nursing skills obtained through applicable job experience and/or appropriate education; strong sense of professionalism; ability to organize work according to priorities; maturity and tact in dealing with patients, clients, physicians, and co-workers; ability to maintain a helpful and positive regard for the patient and family. 

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

Does not supervise any other employee. Supervised by the Nurse Manager.
 

As a representative of Parkway Surgery Center, all comments, attitudes, actions, and behaviors have a direct effect on the facility’s image and perceptions of quality service. Interaction with patients, families, physicians, referral sources, affiliating schools, visitors, volunteers, co-workers, supervisors, vendors, etc. must be in a manner that is friendly, supportive, courteous, respectful, cooperative, and professional. This behavior should promote an atmosphere of team work which is congruent with facility standards and guidelines to promote positive relations.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Exposure to chemical hazards includes but is not limited to Ethylene oxide, gluteraldehyde, and disinfectants possible. Exposure to communicable diseases and body fluids possible. Requires work in cool rooms.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess visual and auditory abilities to communicate with patients. Requires gross and fine motor skills to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, lift (up to moderately heavy objects), carry, push, pull, bend, reach, and stand for long periods of time. Manual dexterity needed. Good vision. Ability to use fine finger movements.

COMPLY WITH PSC POLICIES:

• Attends 50% of departmental meetings per year, 50% of facility meetings per year and is accountable for the information presented at all departmental and facility meetings by initialing minutes as directed.
• Consistently reports to work on time and begins work promptly and performs duties for entire scheduled shift.
• Maintains absentee rate within limits of status.
• Notifies appropriate department manager of absences and tardiness in a timely fashion.
• Attends all mandatory PSC in-services and watches mandatory videos as evidenced by attendance records.
• Reads new policies and documents as instructed.
• Volunteers to serve on PSC committees as the need arise.

The above statements reflect the general outline considered necessary to describe the principle functions of this job. It shall not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements of the job.