Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

To provide safe, effective professional nursing care for high acuity patients in the operating room.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Graduate of an accredited School of Professional Nursing

Current licensure

by the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse

Experience

in which progressive leadership, administrative and clinical competencies have been demonstrated, preferably with a minimum two years in the operating room. Current certification in ACLS (and PALS where appropriate) or ability/commitment to achievement of certification within 60 days of employment.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to move upper extremities within full range of motion as well as stoop and bend at 90 degrees. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.


The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.


The exposure risk to bloodborne pathogens is great.

Language Skills:

Speaking voice that has good quality and tone; speech that is understandable. Additional


language desirable.

STANDARDS OF PRE-OPERATIVE CARE:

Accomplishes preoperative assessment of the patient prior to surgery.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION:

____A. Always introduces self to patient.


____B. Identifies patient by checking ID band and verbal validation.


____C. Verbally validates procedure with patient and checks surgical consent for accuracy.


____D. Verbally validates that patient has been seen by the anesthesiologist.


____E. Uses patient assessment data to record pertinent information accurately and completely


____F. Verbally validates that patient has been identified by surgeon. Check for necessary lab test, pregnancy,


hemoglobin, etc. Checks for completed history-physical.

STANDARDS OF CARE:

Plans and prepares for intraoperative nursing care of patient.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

:


____A. Collects sterile supplies, equipment, and medication for the intraoperative phase of patient care.


____B. Verifies sterility of sterile items before placing on sterile field.


____C. Verifies proper functioning equipment to appropriate personnel and removes from area.


____D. Utilizes surgeon's preference cards and makes appropriate changes to ensure that the information is current.


____E. Collects and obtains special equipment as indicated to specific patient needs.


____F. Assures that room and equipment are clean prior to opening sterile supplies.


____G. Restocks room at the end of the day.


____H. Notifies supervisor of surgeon's request or complaints.


____I. Communicates with other staff members re: changes in instrument trays, supplies, and physician


preferences.


____J. Utilizes peers, as necessary, to aid in solving problems.


____K. Determines appropriate priorities for activities.


____L. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon.

STANDARDS OF POSTOPERATIVE CAR

Implements patient care in the operating room.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION:

____A. Assists in transporting patient to OR.


____B. Assures safety in transferring patient on and off the OR table.


____C. Assists anesthesiologist as necessary.


____D. Assures safe positioning of patient for maximum exposure of operative site.


____E. Assures with appropriate interventions that patient is kept warm.


____F. Continuously monitors patient and sterile field and take appropriate action if a problem occurs.


____G. Provides additional supplies for use by the operative tam as necessary.


____H. Documents intraoperative nursing care. Writes incident reports appropriately.


____I. Assists in quality improvement monitoring.


____J. Assures that sponge, sharp, and instrument counts as necessary is accurate and documented.


____K. Accompanies patient to PACU and releases to qualified nurse.


____L. Reports to PACU nurse the patient's condition, history, and operative procedure, etc.


____M. Functions in scrub roll as necessary.


____N. Keeps calm and functions well in emergencies.

STANDARDS OF CARE

:


Maintains a degree of efficiency in the use and management of high acuity equipment for surgery.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION:

____A. Serves as a role model and resource person for peers and co-workers.


____B. Functions in a role of team member.


____C. Maintains good relationships and communicates well with patients, families, staff and physicians.


____D. Communicates with and provides assistance for surgeons and personnel in a kind and courteous manner.


____E. Follows chain of command regarding intra- or interdepartmental problems.


____F. Shares knowledge with co-workers through open communication and continuous upgrading of skills.


____G. Maintains attitude of constructive discontent.

STANDARDS OF CARE:

Demonstrates dependability and accountability.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION:

____A. Attends required inservices annually as well as programs to enhance clinical expertise.


____B. Maintains current knowledge of advances in surgery, anesthesia, and the perioperative field of nursing.


____C. Maintains current knowledge of medical/legal trends in operating room.


____D. Evaluates suggestions objectively, accepts constructive criticism, and seeks guidance as needed.


____E. Works overtime as needed or assigned


____F. Performs other duties as assigned

STANDARDS OF CARE:

Ergonomics.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION:

_____A. Minimum amount of heavy lifting for this position. Moderate amount of pulling or assisting patients


from stretcher into chairs. Must position patients, lift instrument trays, move equipment, and transfer


patients from one location to another.


_____B. Uses good posture and body mechanics when lifting or putting physical stress on the body.


Other duties may be assigned by the immediate manager/supervisor and/or Administrator.