RN, Perioperative and Post Anesthesia

Description

This position is expected to assess patients nursing care needs primarily in the perioperative and post anesthesia area, evaluate effectiveness of care provided, and integrate nursing theory into clinical practice in the Ambulatory Surgery Center. The position must be able to apply nursing theory to assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate safe patient care and continue to analyze ongoing assessment data to determine safe patient outcomes throughout the Ambulatory Surgery Center supporting all team members. This position requires State Licensure as Registered Nurse (RN) who will collaborate and integrate information from patient and family working with multi-disciplinary team members.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

1. Assesses patient status on admission to the preop area, the post anesthesia area and the post-op area on a continuing basis.

2. Provides safe, therapeutic quality care to patients by utilizing the nursing process and nursing 

diagnosis in a timely manner and by setting appropriate priorities. Coordinates nursing 

interventions to enhance achievement of expected outcomes and to ensure readiness for 

discharge. Documents interventions and patient’s responses.

3. Ensures provision of patient care in an organized and timely manner as evidenced by having patient ready in a timely manner for their procedures at their scheduled times.

4. Utilizes nursing care standards when planning and implementing patient care.

5. Communicates appropriate information regarding patient conditions to those who require the 

information including, surgeons, anesthesia, management and other staff.

6. Safely carries out physician’s orders correctly and promptly, documenting all activities.

7. Initiates and participates in patient and family education. Assesses learning needs according to 

patient’s level of understanding and readiness to learn and identifies any discharge needs to go home safely.

8. Displays an understanding of each patient’s cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological 

maturity in assessments, treatment, and care including pediatrics to geriatric patient populations

9. Takes part in pre and post-op communications and communicates any problems to the appropriate 

person. 

10. Maintains competencies to function in RN role within specific area. (Ex. Perioperative –

Admitting, discharging and IV therapy in the pre/post areas of the Ambulatory Surgery Center)

11. Maintain competencies in monitoring of the patient undergoing anesthesia and/or sedation, Including airway protection, assessment and support of the patient.

12. Protect sedated and anesthetized patients by identifying safety hazards such as electrical, 

equipment, pressure points and by minimizing exposure to maintain privacy and body 

temperature.

13. Expertise in safety principles, asepsis, sterile technique and universal precautions.

14. Assesses, anticipates and implements appropriate care throughout the whole surgical process as needed to support team members.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Correlates clinical data with nursing care. Provides the patient with care measures 

congruent with his/her age, sex and health status. 

2. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, prioritizes work to meet the changing needs 

of the department.

3. Knowledge of and ability to troubleshoot a variety of medical equipment and instruments to 

administer patient care.

4. Document and perform nursing care in assigned area based on standards of care and practice, and 

policies and procedures. 

5. Adhere to all policies and procedures, including but not limited to standards for confidentiality, 

Infection Control, safety (OSHA), attendance, punctuality and personal appearance. 

6. Serve as a role model and mentor, providing direction and leadership to other staff.

7. Demonstrates understanding of established emergency procedures for the Center.

8. Demonstrates the ability to direct and provide for patient care in emergency situations.

9. Demonstrates the ability to make decisions concerning Center based problems.

10. Participates in the orientation of nursing and ancillary staff as requested.

11. Participates in developing standardized patient education programs.

12. Participates in Quality Improvement activities including identification of opportunities for cost 

reductions and efficiencies.

13. Works to achieve and maintain regulatory certification and accreditation of the Center.

14. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional practice and for continued 

professional growth and development through printed material or other sources and by attending 

in-services and seminars as appropriate.

15. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, 

management and peers.

16. Must be willing to flex work hours as needed and/or requested by Manager. 

17. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Maintains current State of Iowa RN licensure.

2. Maintains CPR certification for Health Care Providers.

3. ACLS and PALS certification currently or willingness to complete within 6 months of hire

4. Two years of PACU, Pre/Recovery in OR or procedural setting experience, preferably in an  

ambulatory surgery center setting.

Physical Requirements:

1. Hearing: Adequate to perform job duties in person and over the telephone. Able to use 

stethoscope and respond to verbal questions.

Speaking: Must be able to communicate clearly to patients in person and over the telephone.

2. Vision: Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including visual examination of patient and 

reading information from printed sources and computer screens.

3. Physically:  Requires frequent lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted, 

including assisting patients when required. Adequate physical ability including sufficient manual 

dexterity to perform the requisite health care service, including injections. Requires frequent 

bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with 

some heavy lifting, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift. 

4. Requires exposure to communicable diseases and/or bodily fluids.