Description
JOB SUMMARY AND SCOPE
The ASU registered nurse is responsible for the delivery of safe, effective and quality patient-family centered care during the pre and post operative phase to include preoperative interviewing and post anesthesia care unit. The nurse must be able to communicate effectively with other members of the perioperative team. They must maintain a high degree of confidentiality and support the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Assess patients at intervals as stated in department policies and procedures
- Develop an individualized perioperative plan of care
- Implement the plan of care using the following interventions:
- The nurse will do a physical assessment including vital signs, SaO2, allergies, medications taken prior to surgery, etc. as indicated on the ASU Pre-Op flow record.
- The ASU nurse will review initial interview record, document any changes and notify appropriate staff when necessary.
- The nurse will reinforce preop teaching and answer questions the patient may have or refer to the surgeon or anesthesia provider as appropriate.
- The nurse will start an IV as ordered on the pre-op order sheet.
- The ASU nurse will ensure that the following are current and present in the chart:
- Anesthesia consent
- Surgical consent(s)
- History and Physical is present and current.
- Other pertinent consents as needed.
- The following will be checked and documented on the pre-op flow record:
- NPO status,
- Allergies
- Last void
- Infectious status
- Domestic violence status
- Pre-op meds given or prepared
- Ancillary reports present
- Prosthetics status
- Jewelry and implant status
- Escort available
- Comfort status
- Administer medication(s) appropriately
- Perform call backs per policy
- Ensure discharge instructions are given/discussed with each outpatient
- Perform interventions to protect patient from infection
- Assess knowledge level of patient or designated support person and provide education regarding and expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure
- Actively involve patient or designated support person in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care
- Protect patient’s rights, dignity and privacy
- Provide culturally competent, age-appropriate, ethical care within legal standards of practice
- Provide consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting
- Evaluate the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes
- Transfer care as appropriate
- Delegate tasks as appropriate according to the state Nurse Practice Act
- Document nursing care
- Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as appropriate
- Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects
- Participate in the performance appraisal process
- Use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members
- Maintain required competencies
- Attend required meetings and education sessions
- Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy of all appropriate information
- For regular full time/part time employees, requires working in preoperative interviewing as well as postoperative care as assigned. Per diems/cross trained RN’s may work in ASU only as decided by the Director of Surgical Services
- Seeks out needed information by staying informed and involved by attending meetings, reading memos, policies, meeting minutes, newsletters, email and other appropriate information in a timely manner.
- Uses patient handling equipment appropriate to the needs of the individual patient in keeping with the Safe Patient and Handling and Movement Policy.
- Reliable attendance and punctuality, including observing appropriate break times and extending a scheduled shift when necessary to meet patient demands
- Performs duties in a safe manner, in compliance with all safety policies and procedures
- Complies with the Code of Conduct and all appropriate policies and procedures
- Other duties, as assigned, that are relevant to the position and department
*DECH is an equal opportunity employer.
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
- Current registered nurse licensure in the state of Maine
- Basic Life Support Certification required
- For PACU: Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS) required for all full time/part time employees: (may obtain within 6 months of hire);
- For PACU: Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (PALS) required for all full time/part time employees: (may obtain within 12 months of hire);
- ACLS and PALS preferred for ASU for per diem/cross trained employees
- At least 1 year medical/surgical or perioperative experience
- Basic Computer Skills
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT
Clinical: Frequently lifts up to 35 pounds independently. Frequently pushes/pulls 100 pounds using mechanical and other assistive devices. Walks, stands, kneels, bends most of the time. Exhibits fine motor skills and manual dexterity necessary to perform the essential job functions of the position. Visual acuity correctable to 20/20. Color vision is necessary. Normal hearing acuity.
EXPOSURE RISK
Exposure Category I: Employee at risk for exposure to blood borne pathogens.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
- Maintains current knowledge of the hospital-wide Quality Improvement Program.
- Collaborates with management to improve the effectiveness of the department through the Quality Improvement plans and processes.
- Participates in the departmental and hospital-wide Quality Improvement activities as directed by the manager.
COMPLIANCE
- Adheres to the federal, state, and local statutes and regulations.
- Adheres to the Compliance Program policies and procedures of Down East Community.
- Adheres to all Privacy and Security policies and procedures of Down East Community.
- Communicates any concern related to compliance issues to manager of department or Compliance Officer.
- Communicates any concern related to confidentiality issues to the Privacy Officer.
