Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides patient education, including pre and post-op teaching, self-care needs, medication teaching, pain management, incision care, etc.
• Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to ensure complete pre-admission care and preparation for the day of surgery.
• Coordinates, communicates, and exchanges information with Admissions, Surgery, Same Day Surgery, Anesthesia, and other inter-related departments within SARH.
• Provides and coordinates services, exchanges information, and coordinates externally with physicians, office personnel, and other health care providers.
• Communicates effectively with physicians and CRNAs. Carries out and notes physician and CRNA orders.
• Develops/maintains quality education teaching materials for the surgical patient and customizes them to the individual patient.
• Obtains vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
• Performs basic rhythm strip analysis.
• Performs thorough and efficient physical and psychological assessment of patients scheduled for surgical procedures.
• Reviews charts for appropriate lab work and values and ensures that pre-operative work is done as ordered.
• Starts and discontinues IVs and administers medications as ordered.
• Maintains accurate and timely charting and documentation.
• Utilizes professional judgment and nursing skills, including critical thinking skills.
• Interacts appropriately with other staff members.
• Assists patients with turning and ambulation.
• Calls post-operative patients to follow-up after procedures to promote patient safety, satisfaction, and understanding of instructions.
• Respond to emergency medical situations in an urgent manner and perform on the spot emergency assistance which may include first aid and/or CPR.
• Serves as a patient advocate.
• Excels in effective time management. Carries out assignments with minimum supervision and guidance.
• Maintains friendly and courteous interpersonal communication skills and a positive service attitude.
• Assists with data collection for quality management and participates in quality improvement activities.
• Maintains friendly and courteous interpersonal communication skills and a positive service attitude.
• Participates in performance improvement and educational activities. Completes all CEU’s as required by respective licensure. If licensed, maintains an active and current license.
• Works willingly and accepts assignments as given.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and programs.
• Participates in opportunities that enhance personal and professional growth.
• Performs other duties as necessary or assigned.
• Complies with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, regulations, and Standards of Conduct relating to the position and agrees to report any suspected violations of law or Standards of Conduct.
• Complies with all applicable state and federal regulations and JCAHO standards.
• Maintains a safe work environment using safe work practices, utilizing standard precautions and complying with hazardous waste procedures at all times as described in St. Anthony's Safety Manual.
• Maintains the confidentiality of patient, resident, employee and organizational information.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities, however, may assist physician with special unit procedures and provide training, education, and guidance to assigned L.P.N.s, C.M.A.s and/or C.N.A.s.

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the department Director, organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• RN with state license required; Current license to practice nursing in the state.
• Two years of experience as a professional nurse in an acute care setting, such as Med/Surg/Peds or ICU.

Position requirements, certificates, Licenses, registrations

• Basic Life Support certification.
• ACLS and PALS certification within six months of employment.
• Ability to create a caring, compassionate relationship with the patients and families.
• Ability to collaborate with the healthcare team to use evidence-based practice in providing care.
• Expertise in handling sophisticated medical equipment.
• Must possess effective time management skills.
• Ability to carry out assignments with minimal supervision and guidance.

Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before customers, patients, families and employees of the organization.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk and sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. May be exposed to infectious diseases and occupational dangers like accidental needle pricks. Must be able to withstand physical and emotional stress.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and blood borne pathogens. The employee may be exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, and materials. The employee may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of radiation. The employee may occasionally be exposed to high, precarious places and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.