Surgical Services Circulating RN 7A-3:30

JOB SUMMARY

Provides patient care to neonate through geriatric patient populations. Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment. Communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously and as needed about patient condition. Assists with maintenance of surgical equipment and inventory. Participates in performance improvement activities. Assess operating room for equipment functioning and readiness, obtains supplies for individual cases and ensures all appropriate needs of surgical operating team are met. Monitors, positions and assists patient during procedure.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing.
• Must possess a current Kentucky Registered Nurse license.
• Current BLS certification

Required Licenses

• [Kentucky, United States] Registered Nurses
• Current RN license.

FUNCTIONAL DEMANDS

Physical Requirements

Sitting - 1-15%

Walking - 16-31%

Standing - =>32%

Bending/Squatting - 1-15%

Climbing/Kneeling - 1-15%

Twisting - 1-15%

 

Visual and Hearing Requirements

Must be able to see with corrective eyewear if needed.

Must be able to hear clearly with assistance if needed.

Color vision ability required.

 

Physical/Environmental requirements

Lifting - 0 -50 lbs, 50 or more with assistance

Carrying - 0- 50 lbs, 50 or more with assistance

Pulling - Up to 200 lbs

Pushing - Up to 200 lbs

 

OSHA

High potential for direct exposures.

 

LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Supports the hospital Mission, Service, and Values

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Approaches patient in a kind, gentle and friendly manner.
• Responds to patient's inappropriate behavior in a therapeutic manner.
• Takes appropriate actions and documents in response to manifested anxiety or distress. Requests Social
• Service/Pastoral Care, as appropriate.
• Adapts nursing procedures to meet the needs for treatment of individual neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Identifies physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate actions in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates ability to assess cardiorespiratory systems for changes and takes appropriate actions in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates ability to assess cardiorespiratory systems for changes in pediatric to geriatric patients and is able to treat appropriately.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical//health care errors.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care to the patient population served. Able to interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
• Directs and assists in maintenance and handling of special equipment and instruments.
• Observes behavioral and physiologic changes due to mediations, takes appropriate actions and documents.
• Adjusts expectations of patient behavior and acts according to the effect medications has on patient.
• Positions patients safely; pads and protects bony prominences.
• Preps and drapes patients correctly for all procedures.
• Carries out medical and surgical asepsis during all procedures.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Demonstrates competence in preparing and cleaning of OR suites before and between cases and after terminal case, based on patient's infection class.
• Carries out established techniques for safe administration of medications and parenteral fluids as per hospital policies and procedures.
• Coordinates and supervises patient care; provides patient and family with teaching/education, as necessary.
• Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs actions and side effects.
• Follows the five mediation rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Protect patient's sensitivities and right to privacy.
• Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines, Swan-Ganz, Spinal and epidural catheters and how to document appropriately.
• Is able to open sterile supplies and set up for procedure.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of location, care and operation of all surgical equipment.
• Accurately records, handles and labels specimens; demonstrates care of specimens.
• Ensures Pre-op Checklist is complete (H&P present, informed consent signed, test results present, etc.) before patient is taken into surgical suite.
• Is consistently ready and prepared for assigned cases and has patient in the surgical suite 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
• Appropriately responds to the patient in an emergency or physically distressful situation.
• Assessment and reassessment of the patient is clearly and concisely communicated in charting.
• Documentation meets current standards, policies and procedures and is completed within shift.
• Effectively communicates with the physician in accounting for all sponges, needles and instruments during and after the procedure and documents in the appropriate area.
• Communicates lab/imaging reports to the surgeon during the procedure.
• Gives thorough report of patient's intraoperative condition to PACU nurse.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co-workers for the patient's benefit.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of instrument processing sterilization and biological monitoring. Actively participates in instrument processing, as schedule allows.
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of dysrhythmia, followed by appropriate treatment.
• Is able to perform all duties of circulating and scrub nurses.
• Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain steady level of productivity; self-motivated; manages activity and time; does not waste time.
• Patient Population Served - Pediatrics/Adolescent/Adult/Geriatric
• Demonstrates knowledge of patient population served including development norms and addresses abnormal findings.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate assessments and planning of care for patient population served.
• Demonstrates competency and knowledge of appropriate equipment for patient population served.
• Demonstrates appropriate airway management and suctioning technique for patient population served.
• Demonstrates appropriate awareness for suspected abuse/neglect for patient population served and takes measures to report them according to protocol.
• Identifies and plans for appropriate safety precautions to be taken to prevent injury in the patient population served.
• Demonstrates competency and knowledge in the proper technique for the administration of mediation for the patient population served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate technique to obtain vital signs and is able to interpret norms for the patient population served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of location and use of emergency equipment and drugs for the patient population served.
• Provide education to patient/family based on identified learning needs of the patient population served.

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Professional Requirements

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean. completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Completes in-services and returns in a timely fashion.
• Attends at least 75% staff meetings annually, reads and returns all monthly staff meeting minutes.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Complies with al organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.