Pre & Post-Op Nurse (RN)

Job Summary

Provide direct patient care to pediatric through geriatric patient populations. Address the psychosocial, physical, and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment. Assist with the maintenance of recovery equipment and inventory. Participate in performance improvement activities. Responsible for monitoring patient’s physiological status in the post-operative environment. Communicate with surgeon and anesthesiologist, as needed, about patient conditions; receives direction for patient management. Intercede to maintain optimum homeostasis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities – Pre-Operative/Post-Operative

Patient Care

• Approach patient/family in a kind, gentle, and friendly manner, while protecting patient sensitivities and right to privacy.  
• Compassion and caring should be demonstrated at all times.

Procedure Preparation

• Prepare patient for surgery/procedure, completing in a timely manner. 
• This includes giving patient explanations and verbal reassurances as needed.

Medications

• Prepare, administer, and record medications/IV fluids, as ordered by physician/anesthesiologist, both pre and post-op. 
• Pain medication is given only after assessment/evaluation of patient's condition. 
• Response to pain medication is documented.

Perioperative Knowledge

• Demonstrate knowledge of perioperative factors that alter the immediate post-operative phase, as well as knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions, and side effects. 

Physician's Orders

• Responsible for execution of physician's orders and reporting patient's condition to him/her if warranted.

Patient's Condition

• Communicate effectively and thoroughly, the patient's condition upon transfer to another nurse.

Transportation

• Provide safe transportation of all patients to and from departments.

Recovery

• Demonstrate ability to make independent and intelligent nursing decisions in the care of the pre-op and recovery patients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities – Desk

Scheduling

• Review scheduling sheets for patient appropriateness, anesthesia needs, and equipment needs.
• Schedule surgery/procedures for patients, taking into account specific physician and patient requests, staffing, and equipment needs.

Patient Interviews

• Interview patients with focus on patient history, diagnostic testing, and educational needs. 
• Make arrangements for testing and motel requirements. 
• Call with arrival times three days prior.

Pre-Op Testing

• Follow through on physician orders for tests, examinations, prescriptions, and procedure scheduling. 
• Verify tests ordered, have been completed and posted in patient packet. 
• Advise physician and/or patient of test results.

Next Day Charts

• Review/coordinate next day's charts for completion, i.e. diagnostic test results, and physician orders. Order stickers.

End-of-Day Paperwork

• Coordinate end-of-day distribution of paperwork, i.e. charges, dictation, scheduling sheets, and charts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities – General

Procedures

• Adapt procedures to meet individual needs of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

Narcotics

• Verify narcotics and controlled substances are accounted for and locked, per facility policy.

Patient Documentation

• Clearly document in charting ideas, facts, and concepts about the patient. 
• Documentation is completed within shift; meets standards, policies, and procedures.

Emergency Situations

• Recognize and respond to emergency situations in an appropriate and timely manner.

Computer Use

• Use computer to perform department functions, i.e. forms, data entry, and scheduling.

Interpersonal Skills

Initiative

• Exhibit initiative and self-directed behavior.  
• Accept responsibility for own professional growth and personal conduct by seeking knowledge in work specific areas, taking advantage of opportunities at work to observe and volunteer.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as directed/required, to ensure efficient operations of Premier Bone & Joint Centers. 

Adherence to Facility/Departmental Policy

Confidentiality

• Observe confidentiality of information in regards to patients, physicians, and fellow employees; ability to maintain confidentiality under HIPAA standards.

Attendance/Punctuality

• Maintain a good attendance record and arrive to work punctually.  
• Utilize established time clock system appropriately.

Cell Phone Use

• Cell phone may be used for business purposes only.  
• Utilize cell phone for personal use only during breaks or meal periods out of the public eye.

Education

• High School Diploma or Equivalent - Required
• Associate or Bachelor's Degree - Nursing - Required

Experience

Experience in a Healthcare Setting - Preferred

Certification & Licensure

• License - Current State of Wyoming RN License - Required
• Certification - Current BLS (Must be through the American Heart Association) - Required
• Certification - Current ACLS (or obtain within one year of hire) (Must be through the American Heart Association) - Required
• Certification - Current PALS (Must be through the American Heart Association) - Preferred
• Completion - IV Conscious Sedation Course Work - Preferred
• Completion - Course Work (i.e. A Competency-Based Orientation Program for the Registered Nurse in the Perianesthesia Setting) - Required
• Completion - Orientation Packet and Competency Skills Checklist Within 90 Days of Employment - Required
• Completion - Basic EKG competency on hire and annually thereafter (Basic EKG interpretation course is required for new grads and if competency cannot be shown on hire) - Required

Physical Requirements

• Hearing - Must be able to hear patient care alarms, call lights, phone, safety alarms, and to communicate with physicians, medical staff, co-workers, and patients/families - Constant
• Speaking - Must be able to verbally communicate with physicians, medical staff, co-workers, and patients/families - Constant
• Grasping - Must be able to write and type data into patient charts/computer and to perform duties requiring fine motor skills - Frequently
• Standing - Standing
• Sitting - Frequently
• Bending/Crouching - Frequently

Weight Demands

• Lifting - Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds - Occasionally
• Pushing/Pulling - Must be able to Must be able to assist patients in physical movements and aid in transport of patients to and from wheelchair, exam table, etc. - Frequently

Working Conditions

Environmental Hazards 

• The fast-paced environment may lead to increased levels of personal stress and demand high mental acuity.

Physical Hazards

• Exposure to communicable disease, bodily fluids, and/or toxic substances is possible and can be physically harmful.

Unique Work Schedule/Travel 

• May be required to provide services outside the clinical setting (i.e. at University or High School athletic events), or travel to offices throughout the state.