Gastrointestinal Registered Nurse

Schedule: Day Shift. 40 hrs. weekly. 6:30am-5pm. Call, holiday rotation, and weekend rotation required.

About the Position

The Gastroenterology RN plans, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates nursing care for patients whose protective reflexes or self-care abilities are potentially compromised during operative or other invasive procedures. The RN specializes in illnesses and disorders related to the entire GI tract. The RN works collaboratively with other professionals to meet patient needs and is accountable for the patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care provided. The RN uses clinical knowledge, judgement, clinical-reasoning skills based on scientific principles, plans and implements nursing care to address the physical, psychological, and spiritual responses of the patient.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Adhere to the Admitting Policy and Discharge Policy standards of nursing care.

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to meet the total needs of the patient during the immediate Pre-Op, PACU, and Phase II period.

• Assist the physician in procedure and managing endoscopy scopes.

• Continually assess patient according to systematic approach and notify the anesthesiologist or surgeon of any pertinent findings or changes.

• Demonstrates management of urinary care

• Demonstrates ability to manage chest tubes

• Demonstrates management of ostomies

• Demonstrates ability to manage Tracheostomies

• Demonstrates management of NG Tubes

• Demonstrate management of Central Venous Lines

• Demonstrates ability to manage Wound Dressings

• Demonstrates ability to document in appropriate records

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

• Assess patients at intervals as stated in policies and procedures.

• Develop an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.

• Implement the plan of care by

a.) protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources;

b.) performing accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items;

c.) performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level;

d.) managing the patient’s specimens according to organizational policy and procedures;

e.) communicating the patient’s current status to relevant parties throughout the continuum of care;

f.) administering medications safely and correcting;

g.) performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels;

h.) performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels;

i.) performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period; Position Description for Gastroenterology RN Reference # JD-ROSEGI-RN Page 3 of 6 Printed copies are for reference only. Please refer to the electronic copy for the latest version.

j.) performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection;

k.) assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person; l.) providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure; m.)involving the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan or care and the rehabilitation process;

n.) protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy;

o.) providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and

p.) providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.

• Evaluate the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes.

• Transfer care as applicable.

• Delegate tasks according to the state Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions. • Document nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly.

• Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as applicable.

• Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects.

• Participate in the performance appraisal process.

• Use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.

• Maintain required competencies.

• Pursue professional growth and participate in a professional organization

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.

Education & Experience

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing

Licensure & Certification

• Minimum licensure required: Licensure in State of Indiana as a Registered Nurse
• Basic Life Support
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support