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Job Type:
Regular
Scheduled Hours:
36
Job Summary:
The RNFA-Cardiac functions interdependently with the surgeon and applies in-depth knowledge, expert skill, and clinical judgment in assisting the surgeon with performing complex surgical procedures. Assist surgeon with sternal wiring, placement of chest tubes, and hemostasis. Under the direction of the surgeon, harvests saphenous vein(s), places drains, and performs wound closure. The professional nurse provides evidence-based nursing care utilizing the nursing process to meet the surgical needs of the patient in the perioperative setting. The RNFA is responsible for appropriately delegating tasks to other licensed/unlicensed health care team members as deemed appropriate by training and education. The RNFA-Cardiac collaborates with multidisciplinary healthcare team members when providing nursing care.
Demonstrate respect, dignity, kindness and empathy in each encounter with all patients, families, visitors and other employees regardless of cultural background.
Job Description:
Nursing Process
- Utilizes the nursing process and functions as the patient advocate for the patient’s plan of care based on an accurate/concise patient assessment.
- Respects the patient’s ethnic origin and spiritual beliefs and the right to privacy and confidentiality.
- Appropriately prioritizes multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Works with anesthesia providers in delivering nursing care to patients requiring anesthesia.
- When assigned as the charge nurse, collaborates with perioperative management team, anesthesia coordinator and surgeons in the provision of surgical patient care throughout the surgical suite.
Professionalism and Technical Skills
- Demonstrates professionalism as a perioperative nurse.
- Ensures ongoing personal growth and development.
- Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic techniques when functioning in the perioperative setting.
- Functions in the role of circulating nurse and scrub nurse.
- Under the direction of the surgeon, provides hemostasis and wound exposure, handles tissue to reduce the potential for injury, sutures tissue, and applies dressings to the wound.
- Uses advanced surgical instruments consistent with their design and purpose for complex cardiac surgical procedures.
- Uses advanced cardiac and cardiac robotic instrumentation and technology.
- Assists surgeon with tissue dissection and exposure through appropriate use of instruments/retractors/suctioning/sponging techniques.
- Assists surgeon with clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, ligation of vessels, sternal wiring, and wound closure.
- Under direction of surgeon, independently harvests saphenous vein(s) for bypass procedures. Locates anatomical landmarks, incises skin, harvests vein(s) by dissecting vein(s) from nerves and surrounding tissues, properly clips and cuts branches, uses bovie to provide hemostasis.
- Assists surgeon with cannulation and decannulation utilizing various techniques.
- Under direction of surgeon, independently places drains in leg incision and performs suturing/closure of deep tissue and skin.
- Assists with postoperative transport of patient and effectively communicates pertinent information to receiving unit personnel.
- Effectively communicates with patient family/significant other in a professional manner.
- Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and communication skills that enhance team functioning in the operating room.
- Demonstrates flexibility, sound judgment and adaptability in decision making/problem solving/team building to function as an effective team member.
- Demonstrates ability to perform effectively in emergent and stressful situations.
Patient Safety
- Demonstrates knowledge of accurate medication administration by properly administering medications.
- Maintains a safe environment for optimal patient outcomes.
- Performs and documents accurate and complete sponge, needle, sharps, and instrument counts.
- Recognizes safety hazards and initiates appropriate preventative and/or corrective actions to ensure a safe environment for the patient and surgical team.
Quality/Customer Service
- Completes accurate and concise documentation.
- Participates in performance improvement activities and utilizes data to positively impact patient outcomes.
- Demonstrates excellent customer service skills in dealing with patients, visitors, and health care team members.
Financial Accountability
- Demonstrates fiscal accountability by efficient cost-effective utilization of equipment/supplies based on the needs of the patient/surgeon/anesthesia provider.
- Ensures accurate completion of the patient charging process, including preoperative and pre-anesthesia equipment and supplies.
On-Call Responsibilities
- Responds in the required time frame for emergent surgical cases and is prepared/ready within the required time frame.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education, Credentials, Licenses:
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Current registration to practice nursing in the state where work is being performed.
- Meets contact hour requirements for licensure, including all state-required courses.
- Successful completion of RNFA program and internship that meets AORN’s Standards for RN First Assistant Programs criteria.
- Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required. CNOR required and maintained as current status.
Specialized Knowledge:
Expert knowledge of anatomy and physiology, surgical procedures and instrumentation, and operative techniques specific to cardiac procedures. Knowledge of suture, suturing techniques and wound closure. Knowledge of tissue dissection and exposure. Knowledgeable regarding clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, ligation of vessels, saphenectomy procedures, and placement of drains. Knowledge of various cannulation and decannulation techniques. Knowledge of intra-aortic balloon pump and ventricular assist device insertion techniques. Competent in mathematical calculations associated with medication administration
Kind and Length of Experience:
Two years of operating room experience in both the scrub and circulating roles as an RN.
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
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