Pre-Op/PACU Registered Nurse

Who We Are:

As the only independent and physician-led faculty practice plan of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, University Clinical Health (UCH) offers best-in-class clinical care through a network of 175+ providers across 19 specialties to meet the healthcare needs of the Mid-South community. UCH is a not-for-profit, non-tax-supported group practice and is here to serve the community while providing medical excellence to our patients. 

Position Summary:

The Pre-Op/PACU Registered Nurse is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and coordinating patient care from admission to discharge. In addition, the Registered Nurse is accountable for the achievement of patient outcomes through the implementation of critical pathways and following the mission, vision, and values of the facility.

Key Result Areas:

• Assesses, plans, evaluates, and ensures the implementation of the patient’s care to achieve identified outcomes and delivers safe patient care according to facility policy and procedure
• Assesses patient status on admission and on an ongoing basis
• Implements appropriate standards of care based on assessment data and patient’s own goals. Goals are mutually set with the patient and family
• Coordinates nursing interventions to enhance the achievement of expected outcomes and to ensure readiness for discharge
• Ensures provision of patient care daily in an organized and timely manner
• Adheres to all facility policies and procedures when providing patient care
• Utilizes nursing care standards when planning and implementing patient care
• Demonstrates ability to direct and provide for patient care in emergencies
• Assesses learning needs according to patient’s level of understanding and readiness to learn
• Evaluates patient’s progress toward outcome achievement on an ongoing basis
• Revises plan of care based on change in patient status and/or information gathered at change of shift
• Documents patient’s progress toward achievement of outcomes
• Directs others in the implementation of the teaching plan
• Assumes an active role in the provision of quality nursing care for patients receiving care
• Utilizes specialized nursing knowledge, nursing process, and discriminative judgment while giving direct or indirect care
• Analyzes nursing care provided in the facility related to the established standards of care
• Participates in the monitoring and evaluation of nursing care provided
• Demonstrates ability to coordinate the nursing care provided in the facility
• Assigns patient care responsibilities based on patient needs and abilities of available staff
• Assumes charge nurse responsibility as assigned
• Demonstrates ability to make decisions concerning facility-based problems
• Participates on quality council to facilitate improvement of patient care
• Participates in the orientation of nursing staff
• Participates in developing standardized patient education programs, as requested
• Participates in team conferences on assigned patients
• Displays an understanding of each patient’s cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturity in the assessments, treatment, and care is undertaken based on age-specific criteria
• Appropriately modifies approach to the patient based upon patient age utilizing a developmental perspective.
• Provides appropriate age-specific interventions related to safety issues
• Demonstrates appropriate knowledge and competence of designated skills identified for position in patient care duties
• Checks updated schedule each morning and prepares supplies and equipment.
• History and physical assessment of patient
• Completes review of medical record
• Maintains patient normothermia
• Promotes physical comfort and provide emotional support and safety for patient.
• Administers and charts medications as ordered by physician
• Reinforces and clarifies physician instructions and explanation of procedures to patient
• Provides nursing care and appropriate monitoring according to policies and procedures
• Communicates relevant information to physician, Facility Manager and appropriate staff
• Verifies surgical/procedure site with patient and according to surgical schedule and patient History and Physical.
• Obtains and verifies operative/procedure consent.
• Communicates relevant information to physician, Facility Manager and appropriate staff
• Provides for patient safety by use of monitors, side rails, and assistance in ambulating and instruction on the use of call bell in bathroom
• Provides instructions according to patient need
• Completes nursing documentation on each operative procedure
• Assembles cases according to schedule and preference cards
• In Pre-Operative Area, introduces self to patient, verifies patient identity, assesses patient’s physical needs, alleviates patient anxiety, clarifies operative site, and checks chart for necessary documentation
• Practices and monitors aseptic techniques
• Ensures that the surgical site time-out process is followed and completed
• Performs duties as circulating or scrub nurse
• Is responsible for positioning patient relevant to procedure with awareness of body alignment, circulation, and pressure points
• Applies electrosurgical return electrodes, tourniquets, etc., according to physician preference, policies, and procedures
• Provides necessary supportive equipment for patient comfort (i.e., pillows, blankets, protective paddings, etc…)
• Accurately completes intraoperative record
• Is accountable for accuracy and documentation of sponge, needle, and instrument counts.
• Properly labels and cares for specimens
• Provides and records all intraoperative medications
• Maintains adequate room supplies
• Assists in stocking, replenishing, outdating and preparation of supplies
• Reviews and updates physician preference cards
• Has working knowledge of sterilizers and recorders
• Assists physician and anesthesia personnel as needed
• Provides emergency care according to physician and administrative policy
• Sets priorities to facilitate the flow of patients efficiently
• Cleans equipment and operating room/procedure room according to procedure
• Reviews charts for completeness and signatures of physicians
• Prepares and restocks area for following day
• Checks inventory and notifies appropriate staff members to re-order
• Notifies appropriate staff member to order supplies
• Initiates appropriate infection control measures
• Maintains an environment that promotes safety:
• Temperature range
• Electrical safety measures
• Oxygen and Suction Equipment
• Resuscitation Equipment
• Noise Control
• Traffic Control
• Control of Contamination

Core Competencies:

• Ability to correlate clinical data with patient’s medical and nursing care
• Ability to set priorities
• Ability to provide direction to others that is clear, concise, and promotes efficiency throughout the clinical areas of the facility
• Ability to communicate well with patients, families, Teammates, physicians, other members of the healthcare team, etc
• Recognizes legal and policy limits of individual practice
• Demonstrates continued competence in assessing, treating, and caring for individuals based upon age-specific needs utilizing a developmental perspective
• Demonstrates appropriate knowledge and competence of designated skills identified for position

Education, Experience, and Licensure:

• Graduate of an Accredited School of Nursing Required
• At least one year of OR and/or medical/surgical nursing experience Preferred
• Current state licensure to practice Required 
• Successful completion of Basic Life Support (BLS) /Basic Cardiac Life Support(BCLS) within 90 days of employment or current BLS/BCLS certification documentation Required
• Successful completion of ACLS Course within 90 days of employment or documentation of current ACLS certification Required
• Successful completion of PALS Course within 90 days of employment or documentation of current PALS certification, if requested by supervisor.
• Specialty certification in Perioperative Nursing recommended (CNOR) Preferred

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: 

• Indoors in a climate-controlled environment. Patient care environment with potential exposure to unpleasant odors, blood, and body fluids which may carry infection, infectious disease, and chemical and electrical hazards. Occasional exposure to outdoor climate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Good visual acuity, accurate color vision. 
• Ability to lift/transfer patients in excess of 100pounds, which may require pushing, pulling, and essentially utilizing a full range of body movement. 
• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. 
• Ability to reach, grasp, use fine finger movement and feel fine sensation for discerning temperature, texture, size, and shape—ability to speak and hear.