The Broadlawns Medical Center campus includes an acute care hospital, primary and specialty care clinics, urgent care and emergency services, lab, radiology, dentistry, inpatient and outpatient mental health, crisis team, and community-based behavioral support services. Broadlawns accepts all forms of insurance and its approach to healthcare and quality outcomes earned a Level 3 rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the highest achievable status for a medical delivery model.

We are a safety net hospital and our Patients are our North Star! With a dedicated staff of over 160 physicians and 1,600 employees, Broadlawns Medical Center ensures that our community has access to high quality healthcare that is coordinated, compassionate and cost-effective. We provide our employees a top-rated benefits package, supportive work culture, and more! 

Staff Nurse

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Registered Nurse (RN), Pre-Op & PACU Phases I & II, reports to the Surgical Services Director. This RN will administer diligent care to surgical patients in the pre and post-operative settings using monitoring, assessment, intervention, and continuous reassessment. The PACU Phase I RN will provide care for post-operative patients recovering from general, regional, and local anesthesia. The PACU Phase II RN will provide discharge care and instructions to the patient and their care givers, prior to discharge from the unit.  Performs perioperative RN responsibilities as directed by the Nursing Director.  

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

 

• Maintains the standards of nursing care and implements the standards, policies, and procedures of the Medical Center, Nursing Services, and Chapter Six of the Code of Iowa.
• Assessing patients prior to surgery and alleviating their concerns
• Assess the health status of the patient in order to develop an individualized plan of care by collecting, categorizing, and interpreting data (physical and psychosocial) from documented information, observation, patient/family interview and other health care team members. 
• Assess, instruct & prepare patients prior to surgery.
• Assess the patient while including the nursing diagnosis and nursing interventions necessary to achieve optimal patient outcomes related to the patient’s identified surgical, mental, physical, psycho-social and cultural needs.
• Document nursing activities to provide a permanent record of safety standards and precautions used, continuity of care, quality improvement and professional accountability.
• Ensure that operative and informed consents are signed and correct.
• Take, record, and assess vital signs results of patients to ensure readiness for surgical procedure.
• Monitor patients for condition changes, and reporting any changes to the intraoperative team to keep them aware of any clinical findings that warrant further evaluation or discussion of patient readiness or contraindications for the surgical procedure.
• Initiate IVs and ensure patients are informed about procedure.  
• Assess patients’ post-operative condition.
• Monitor vital signs and other measurements of progress, meeting discharge criteria. 
• Answer patient questions and ensure patient comfort.
• Coordinate support services by anticipating and communicating patient needs with the perioperative team.
• Administers medications and evaluates their effectiveness.
• Performs efficiently in emergency situations following established protocols.
• Participates in orientation of new personnel.
• Participates in development and attainment of departmental and Nursing Services goals.
• Participates in development of generic and unit-specific standards.
• Participates in development and implementation of performance improvement activities.
• Participates in unit meetings and conferences for the betterment of patient care.
• Communicates effectively, practices effective problem identification and resolution skills and uses lines of authority appropriately.

 

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

•  
• Demonstrated proficiency in the RN Pre and Post-Op roles.
• Specialized knowledge, skill and abilities in empirical & practical perioperative nursing.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively and harmoniously as a member of the perioperative team.
• Solid understanding of patient safety and precautions in the perioperative setting.
• Outstanding organizational habits and ability to critically think and troubleshoot.
• Demonstrates skill in the following intra-operative nursing behaviors:
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with members of the perioperative team
• Excellent observation skills
• Knowledge of asepsis, infection control, and effects of anesthesia
• Promotes nursing practices and patient care that is effective in terms of quality and cost, and results in patient and family satisfaction.
• Supports the values and philosophy of BMC Nursing Services as well as the mission, vision and values and behaviors of service excellence standards of BMC.
• Compliant with HIPAA/confidentiality standards at all times.
• Demonstrates commitment to own professional growth and competence.
• Completes and maintains unit specific training and competency monitors (with passing scores) in unit-defined time frames in order to maintain employment. 
• Completes all annual hospital-wide mandatory training within defined timeframe (i.e. safety, corporate compliance, confidentiality).
• Documents in a timely, accurate and concise manner.
• Demonstrates competence in specified computer applications.
• Demonstrates ability to document in EMR.
• Demonstrates consistently a team approach to care.
• Demonstrates effective communication strategies.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current RN license recognized by the State of Iowa Board of Nursing.
• Two years’ experience in perioperative nursing with successful completion of additional educational preparation specific to pre and post-operative nursing, preferred.
• Certification in Basic Life Support (Health Care Provider), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 6 months of hire.
• Capable and competent in computer data entry and general program navigation.
• Ability to perform call requirements, as assigned.

 

 

Work Shift

7a-3p (United States of America)

Benefits (FT/PT) 

• Retirement - IPERS 

• Education Assistance 

• Employee Health & Wellness 

• PTO 

• Free Parking

• Health Insurance 

• Supplemental Insurance 

• 529 College Savings Plan 

• And more! 

Broadlawns Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer