REGISTERED NURSE - PRE-OP/PACU

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Who We Are :

As the only independent and physician-led faculty practice plan of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, University Clinical Health (UCH) offers best-in-class clinical care through a network of 175+ providers across 19 specialties to meet the healthcare needs of the Mid-South community.

UCH is a not-for-profit, non-tax-supported group practice and is here to serve the community while providing medical excellence to our patients.

Position Summary :

The Pre-Op / PACU Registered Nurse is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and coordinating patient care from admission to discharge.

The Registered Nurse is responsible for achieving patient outcomes through the implementation of critical pathways and per the mission, vision, and values of the facility.

Position Supervises :

Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse, Surgical Technologist, Certified SurgicalTechnologist, Patient Care Attendant, Patient Care Technician, Nurse's Aide, Medical Assistant

Degree of Supervision Provided to Position :

Medium must be self-directed and works under the direction of the Clinical Leader.

Internal Relationships (Works Closely With) :

As a representative of Memphis Surgery Center, all comments, attitudes, actions, and behaviors directly affect 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 teamwork, which is congruent with Facility standards and guidelines to promote positive relations.

Education, Experience, and Licensure :

Graduate of an Accredited School of Nursing. At least one year of OR and / or medical / surgical nursing experience preferred.

Current state licensure to practice. Successful completion of Basic Life Support (BLS) / Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) within 90 days of employment or current BLS / BCLS certification documentation.

Successful completion of ACLS Course within 90 days of employment or documentation of current ACLS certification, Successful completion of PALS Course within 90 days of employment or documentation of current PALS certification, if requested by supervisor.

Specialty certification in Perioperative Nursing recommended (CNOR)

Skills and Abilities :

Ability to correlate clinical data with patient's medical and nursing care

Ability to set priorities

Ability to provide direction to others that are clear, concise, and promote efficiency throughout the clinical areas of the facility

Ability to communicate well with patients, families, Teammates, physicians, other members of the healthcare team, etc

Recognizes legal and policy limits of individual practice

Clinical Quality :

Assesses, plans, evaluates and ensures the implementation of the patient's care to achieve identified outcomes and delivers safe patient care according to facility policy and procedure

Assesses patient status on admission and an ongoing basis

Implements appropriate standards of care based on assessment data and patient's goals. Goals are mutually set with the patient and family

Coordinates nursing interventions to enhance achievement of expected outcomes and to ensure readiness for discharge

Ensures provision of patient care daily in an organized and timely manner

Adheres to all facility policies and procedures when providing patient care

Utilizes nursing care standards when planning and implementing patient care

Demonstrates ability to direct and provide for patient care in emergencies

Assesses learning needs according to the patient's level of understanding and readiness to learn

Evaluate the patient's progress toward outcome achievement on an ongoing basis

Revises plan of care based on the change in patient status and / or information gathered at the change of shift

Documents patient's progress toward achievement of outcomes

Directs others in the implementation of the teaching plan

Assumes an active role in the provision of quality nursing care for patients receiving care

Utilizes specialized nursing knowledge, nursing process, and discriminative judgment while giving direct or indirect care

Analyzes nursing care provided in the facility related to the established standards of care

Participates in the monitoring and evaluation of nursing care provided

Demonstrates ability to coordinate the nursing care provided in the facility

Assigns patient care responsibilities based on patient needs and abilities of available staff

Assumes charge nurse responsibility as assigned

Demonstrates ability to make decisions concerning facility-based problems

Participates on the quality council to facilitate improvement of patient care

Participates in the orientation of nursing staff

Participates in developing standardized patient education programs, as requested.

Participates in team conferences on assigned patients

Demonstrates continued competence in assessing, treating, and caring for individuals based upon age-specific needs utilizing a developmental perspective

Demonstrates appropriate knowledge and competence of designated skills identified for the position

Displays an understanding of each patient's cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturity in the assessments, treatment, and care undertaken based on age-specific criteria

Appropriately modifies approach to the patient based on patient age utilizing a developmental perspective.

Provides appropriate age-specific interventions related to safety issues

Demonstrates appropriate knowledge and competence of designated skills identified for position in patient care duties

Checks updated schedule each morning and prepares supplies and equipment.

History and physical assessment of the patient

Completes review of medical record

Maintains patient normothermia

Promotes physical comfort and provides emotional support and safety for the patient

Administers and charts medications as ordered by physician

Reinforces and clarifies physician instructions and explanation of procedures to patient

Provides nursing care and appropriate monitoring according to policies and procedures

Communicates relevant information to physician, Facility Manager and appropriate staff

Verifies surgical / procedure site with patient and according to surgical schedule and patient History and Physical.

Obtains and verifies operative / procedure consent

Communicates relevant information to physician, Facility Manager and appropriate staff

Provides for patient safety by use of monitors, side rails, and assistance in ambulating and instruction on the use of call bell in bathroom

Provides instructions according to patient need

Completes nursing documentation on each operative procedure

Assembles cases according to schedule and preference cards

In the Pre-Operative Area, introduces self to the patient, verifies patient identity, assesses patient's physical needs, alleviates patient anxiety, clarifies operative site, and checks chart for necessary documentation

Practices and monitors aseptic techniques

Ensures that the surgical site time-out process is followed and completed

Performs duties as circulating or scrub nurse

Is responsible for positioning patient relevant to the procedure with awareness of body alignment, circulation, and pressure points

Applies electrosurgical return electrodes, tourniquets, etc., according to physician preference, policies procedures

Provides necessary supportive equipment for patient comfort (i.e., pillows, blankets, protective paddings, etc.)

Accurately completes intraoperative record

Is accountable for accuracy and documentation of sponge, needle, and instrument counts

Properly labels and cares for specimens

Provides and records all intraoperative medications

Maintains adequate room supplies

Is knowledgeable of operation, cleaning and sterilization of instruments

Is knowledgeable of operation and cleaning of surgical equipment

Assists in stocking, replenishing, outdating and preparation of supplies

Reviews and updates physician preference cards

Has working knowledge of sterilizers and recorders

Assists physician and anesthesia personnel as needed

Provides emergency care according to physician and administrative policy

Sets priorities to facilitate the flow of patient efficiently

Cleans equipment and operating room / procedure room according to procedure

Reviews charts for completeness and signatures of physicians

Prepares and restocks area for following day

Checks inventory and notifies appropriate staff member to re-order.

Notifies appropriate staff member to order supplies

Initiates appropriate infection control measures

Maintains an environment that promotes safety :

Temperature range

Electrical safety measures

Oxygen and Suction Equipment

Resuscitation Equipment

Noise Control

Traffic Control

Control of Contamination

Teamwork / Accountability / Integrity :

Utilizes time effectively

Follows established facility policies and procedures about attendance

Maintains attendance according to guidelines and policy established by facility

Adheres to tardiness policy

Provides notification for unscheduled absences or tardiness following established procedures as noted by supervisor

Requests scheduled time off according to procedure as noted by supervisor

Completes all documentation to ensure the availability of accurate and up-to-date information in accordance with established standards

Maintains accurate records of controlled substances

Documents nursing care and physician orders according to facility policy and best practice guidelines.

Adheres to facility safety requirements and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.

Demonstrates competent usage of proper body mechanics in all activities

Identifies potentially unsafe situations and notifies supervisor

Completes all Teammate / patient event and Variance documentation in a thorough and timely manner, as requiredby policy

Demonstrates complete understanding of established emergency procedures for facility

Practices infection control, standard, and universal precautions as instructed or trained.

Maintains work area and equipment in a neat, organized manner

Assists with housekeeping tasks as necessary to provide a safe environment for patients, teammates, physicians, and guests

Performs all other duties as assigned by manager

Continuous Improvement :

Maintains and evaluates own clinical expertise and clinical practice

Attends 75% of unit-based staff meetings and demonstrates review of minutes for any meetings missed

Provides in-services as requested by management

Participates in scheduled performance appraisals and demonstrates dedication to ongoing performance improvement

Responsibly demonstrates the importance of continuing education to the performance of facility responsibilities and growth in the profession

Maintains and displays appropriate knowledge of professional developments through printed material or other sources

Attends professional training seminars when appropriate for job development and shares information with other teammates

Attends and participates in all applicable facility training and development workshops scheduled by the facility

Maintains work area and equipment in an organized and clean manner

Maintains dress and appearance according to standards as observed by management

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of job description, role, and responsibilities through continuing education activities

Maintains certification requirements and submits required evidence of certification to facility management for teammate file

Strives to be professional, courteous, helpful, and cooperative

Performs all other duties as assigned by management

Compliance :

Upholds and practices the principles and policies of the compliance program

Demonstrates the safe operation of equipment and machinery and follows procedures for reporting and correcting an unsafe situation

Service Excellence :

Communicates patient information to ensure confidentiality and continuity of care

Documents all patient information according to established standards of care, policies, and procedures

Provides hand-off reports to other teammates that are accurate, concise, and pertinent to the patient's condition and response to care

Provides pertinent patient information to the physician, family, teammates, and other members of the multidisciplinary team

Discusses patient information with other health team members in an appropriate environment

Documents patient's / significant other's response to teaching interventions

Interacts with all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees in a mature, responsible manner to ensure a positive and professional facility environment

Displays a caring and responsive attitude and conducts all activities respecting patient, family, and employee rights and expectations

Maintains confidentiality of all facility and patient information as required by facility policy

Fosters a positive and professional facility environment by interacting with all persons in a considerate, helpful and courteous manner and by participating as a team member

Diffuses / resolves conflict by appropriately communicating with those involved

Accepts constructive criticism and gives suggestions in a professional manner

Considers age-specific needs in communication

Maintains dress and appearance according to standards as observed by management.

Demonstrates the safe operation of equipment and machinery and follows procedures for reporting and correcting an unsafe situation.

Demonstrates understanding and puts into practice service excellence

Financial Skill :

Completes appropriate financial management responsibilities

Provides input re : equipment needs / supply needs

Completes patient charges by facility procedure

Demonstrates sound cost containment techniques.

Participates in periodic inventory count as assigned by management

Proficiency or Productivity Standards

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS : Indoors in a climate-controlled environment. Patient care environment with potential exposure to unpleasant odors, blood, and body fluids that may carry infection, infectious disease, and chemical and electrical hazards.

Occasional exposure to outdoor climate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Good visual acuity, and accurate color vision. Ability to lift / transfer patients over 100 pounds, which may require pushing, pulling, and essentially utilizing a full range of body movement.

Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and / or crawl. Ability to reach, grasp, use fine finger movement, and feel fine sensation for discerning temperature, texture, size, and shape-ability to speak and hear.

MACHINES / EQUIPMENT USED : Clinical equipment used for patient care (i.e., suction machine, cautery, etc.), patient diagnostic equipment, patient monitoring equipment, computer, copy / FAX machine.

EOE- University Clinical Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

University Clinical Health is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor - priority referral Protected Veterans requested.