Procedure Nurse

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The position of Procedure Nurse is responsible for assisting the physician and other staff with caring for the patient before, during and after procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

During procedures, the essential functions of the Procedure Nurse position can be divided into the following three categories – (a) Circulating, (b) Moderate Sedation, and (c) Pre/Post-Operative. On any given day, the Procedure Nurse may be responsible for performing some or all of these functions, depending on the nature of the procedure, the direction of the Provider and the number and qualifications of other nurses present during the procedure.

Circulating – In the procedure room, the Circulating Nurse manages all necessary care, assisting the team in maintaining and creating a comfortable, safe environment, for the patient and observing the team from a wide perspective. The Circulating Nurse uses critical thinking and assessment to direct care and activities for the team for the patient’s best interest. The essential functions of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Understanding principles of asepsis and sterile technique. 
2. Must be knowledgeable about how to separate specialized equipment used in the procedure room.  
3. Inventories all items both pre-post procedure. 
4. Prepares procedure room for patient/procedure. 
5. Ensures that the correct procedure is performed on correct patient using at least two patient identifiers. 
6. Response to life-saving situations based on nursing standard and protocol. 
7. Must be knowledgeable about how to position a patient to prevent complications and injury. 
8. Opening sterile supplies and overseeing/maintaining a sterile field. 
9. Follows facility’s OSHA safety rules and procedures. 
10. Assisting patient in transferring patient from stretcher to procedure table and vice versa. 
11. Assisting the sedation nurse with record, timekeeping and monitoring vital signs. 
12. Applying appropriate monitors before each procedure. 
13. Reporting any pertinent information to pre/post op nurse. 
14. Other related duties as assigned.

Moderate Sedation -- The Moderate Sedation Nurse is responsible for administering moderate sedation within the RN Scope of Practice in compliance with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act. The essential functions of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Demonstrating knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, cardiac arrhythmia recognition and complications related to sedation/analgesia medications. 
2. Observes and checks all monitors prior to procedure to ensure proper function and patient safety. 
3. Assessing total patient care requirements before, during and after administration of sedation/analgesic medication. 
4. Understanding principles of oxygen delivery, respiratory physiology, transport/uptake. And demonstrating the ability to use oxygen delivery devices. 
5. Recognizing potential complications of sedation/analgesia for each type of agent being administered. 
6. Possessing the required knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose and intervene in the event of complications or undesired outcomes to institute nursing interventions in compliance with orders (including standing orders) and institutional protocols. 
7. Follows facility’s OSHA safety rules and procedures. 
8. Other related duties as assigned.

Pre/Post-Operative -- The Pre/Post-Operative Nurse provides quality care to the perioperative patient. Responsible for clinical partnering with physicians and other staff so that patients achieve their desired outcome. The essential functions of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Assessing patients prior to and after procedures. 
2. Ensuring operative consents are signed, dated and timed. 
3. Obtaining and recording vital signs before and after procedure. 
4. Initiating intravenous therapy when applicable. 
5. Responsible for educating the perioperative patient about the risks and benefits associated with procedures as well as what to expect after procedures. 
6. Assessing patients’ post-operative condition to ensure that all discharge criteria have been met.  
7. Recording findings in patient record. 
8. Monitoring patient for condition changes and reporting any changes to physician. 
9. Performing intervention duties in case of emergency. 
10. Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

The position requires a valid, unrestricted Arkansas Registered Nurse license, ACLS and BLS certification, current influenza vaccination, proof of current TB skin test. One (1) year of prior relevant experience is preferred. 

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong telephone communication skills
• Knowledge of current medical terminology to communicate with physician, staff, and patients
• High level of attention to detail
• Strong organization, filing, and time management skills
• Basic computer literacy and typing
• Patient focused

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are expected to include 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional overtime may be required. The position operates in a professional office environment and the incumbent, in the course of performing this position, spends time writing, typing, speaking, listening, driving, seeing (such as close, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and adjusted focus), sitting, walking, standing, and reaching. The incumbent may operate any or all of the following standard office equipment including but not limited to multi-line telephone system, postage mater, facsimile machines, calculator, photocopy machine, computer/printer, and coffee maker. The incumbent may operate medical equipment. The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

OTHER

Employee performance, in part, is evaluated based upon completion of the tasks listed herein. PTCOA/ISI reserves the right to change this job description at any time according to business needs and/or assign tasks that it may deem appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and employment with PTCOA/ISI may be terminated by the employee or employer at any time, for any reason.