Position Summary:

The ASC Operating Room and PACU nurses work collaboratively with the physicians and the anesthesia health care providers to determine patient needs undergoing surgical procedures and to assume responsibility for patient care, document and evaluate the effectiveness of nursing actions and ensure a safe environment of care. The nurse will be knowledgeable about the scrub and circulation duties performed in the ASC.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

Demonstrates knowledge and practice of:

Environment of Care:

1. Safety - Department specific and ASC-wide safety risks

2. Security Processes for minimizing security risks

3. Haz Mat/Waste - Procedures for spills/MSDS

4. Emergency Preparedness Role in emergency codes

5. Med Equipment Safe operation of equipment

Infection Control:

1. Department specific policies and procedures

2. Location/use of personal protective equipment

3. CDC Hand Washing Guidelines

4. Play an active role in the QAPI program by auditing and monitoring for safe practices. Continually working towards a safe environment for patients/staff.

Patient Rights:

1. Patient Rights and Responsibilities

2. Confidentiality Policies HIPAA

3. Ethical Issue Resolution

Patient Safety:

1. Verbal orders repeated and verified during procedure

2. Prevention of fires in the OR

3. Medication safety

- Safe storage and use of narcotics

- Look alike, sound alike medications

- Dangerous abbreviations list

- Check system for infusion pump drug, rate and concentration

- Conscious/deep sedation monitoring

- Transferring medication from a nonsterile to sterile field

4. Verbal orders/critical test results repeated and verified

5. Verification procedure for correct site, patient and procedure

6. Bed rail safety/risks of entrapment

7. Safe transport of monitored patient

Specimen handling

1. Protects welfare of patient by accurate labeling and handling of specimen

2. Disposition of all surgical specimens, initial specimen label are entered into Pathology log book

IV Therapy

1. Insertion

2. Aseptic technique

3. Site

4. Dressing

5. Tubing changes

6. Use of pumps

Skills

1. Performs age specific nursing assessments

2. Demonstrate age appropriate communication skills

3. Demonstrates ability to interpret arrhythmias and initiate age specific responses

4. Demonstrates ability to assess age specific safety issues and implements appropriate safety devices

5. Demonstrates ability to interpret patient data and react to changes in the patient's condition

Service Standards

1. Is proactive

2. Anticipates and responds to patient, physician, family members, coworkers needs

3. Demonstrates an energetic and positive approach to work

4. Is sensitive to patient's physical, social and cultural needs

5. Demonstrates accountability and commitment to coworkers. Is a dependable member of the team and addresses issues in a timely manner

6. Demonstrates sense of ownership. Pays attention to details of job, ensures all mandatory obligations are met

7. Gives all patients their full attention and treats them with dignity, respect and understanding

8. Presents a clean, professional, well groomed image. Wears name badge, adheres to uniform policy

9. Safeguards patient confidentiality in all forms of communication

10. Works effectively with others toward achieving common goals including morale and teamwork

11. Interacts compassionately and in a timely manner with all customers.

Demonstrate appropriate assessment skills including prioritizing and delegation of patient care activities
Recognize and report signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect
Demonstrates clear knowledge necessary to provide patient care by ensuring all instruments, equipment and supplies are available for procedures
Assessment of pain upon admission and through the stay
Demonstrates awareness of appropriate medication use and follows all policies concerning medication administration
Assessment and reassessment of patient's response to medications
Utilize the nursing process along with AORN standards to ensure all of the patient safety goals are incorporated into the care of the patient
Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic technique
Applies principles of asepsis, maintains sterile field technique at the sterile field, assist with care of equipment and supplies after the surgical procedure is completed
Identifies emergency situations and institutes corrective actions in a calm and efficient manner
Maintains organizational skill and manual dexterity in the economy of time, motion and supply utilization in a safe, efficient manner
Completes documentation in an accurate and timely manner
Provides support and comfort to preoperative patients
Demonstrates proficiency in care of patients receiving conscious sedation
Assists physician during procedures; carries out physician orders
Makes telephone calls to patients pre-operatively for pre-admission directives and post-operatively for follow-up care
Other duties as assigned

Work Relationship and Scope:

The Registered Nurses works closely with all staff and doctors; reporting to the ASC Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Vocational/Technical Degree as a Registered Nurse is required
Current RN License in the state of Wisconsin
BLS and CPR certification is required
ACLS certification is preferred; must be obtained within one year of employment
Knowledge of state, federal, JCAHO regulations
Strong communication skills; verbal and written
Ability to develop good working relationships with physicians and staff
Ability to work in a fast-paced medical facility while adhering to HIPAA compliance regulations
Strong aptitude with computer software and typing skills
Must be out-going and cordial; demonstrated through solid customer service skills/experience
Must be flexible for changing job requirements

Work Conditions:

Work is generally performed at the Stevens Point, WI clinic. Travel to other office locations may be necessary. Hours of work will be dependent on the needs of the Clinic. Requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Occasional lifting (40 pounds), bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and climbing stairs is required.

Acknowledgement:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other job duties as requested by management. All requirements are subject to change over time. Reasonable accommodations will be made to those individuals with a disability.