Specialty Nurse-General Surgery/Plastic Surgery

The combined role of the Plastic Surgery and General Surgery Specialty Nurse is responsible for an area of specialized nursing practice and provides direct and indirect care to patients and their families in the inpatient, ambulatory, and outpatient settings. Some of the specific multidisciplinary areas of care include complex wound care, cleft/craniofacial care, burn care, laser procedures and care of patients with pilonidal disease.

The specialty nurse promotes and improves quality of care before, during and after surgical procedures and treatments to ensure proper health maintenance, safety and restoration. The specialty nurse utilizes the nursing process as a basis for providing and evaluating nursing care. 

1. ​​Performs appropriate assessment of patient/family upon arrival /admission.​ 

2. ​​Performs ongoing assessment and evaluation of patient progress and revision of interdisciplinary plan of care related to patient needs.​ 

3. ​​Identifies patient/family need for further resources and initiates appropriate teaching and/or referrals.​ 

4. ​​Participates in responding to patient phone calls and messages. Explains treatment regimens to patient/family after having discussed with the physician or APP.​ 

5. ​​Demonstrates ability to share clinical knowledge with other members of the health care team; works collaboratively with Nursing Education Department to share subspecialty knowledge with nursing staff.​ 

6. ​​Acts as a liaison between families and members of the health care team.​ 

7. ​​Utilizes specialized body of knowledge and technical skills in nursing practice related to subspecialty in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act, hospital policy and protocol.​ 

8. ​​Participates in the development of standards of care for the specialty patient population.​ 

9. ​​Demonstrates proficiency in the care of all ages; neonates, pediatrics, and adolescents.​ 

10. ​​Recognizes and identifies own learning needs and responsibility for continual development; strives to increase knowledge and identifies goals for professional growth.​

11. ​​Responsible for participation in departmental and hospital programs for Quality/Process Assessment and Improvement, identifying opportunities to improve services, making recommendations and implementing actions as appropriate and consistent with the goals of the Nemours Foundation.​ 

12. Participate in the care coordination of General Surgery and Plastic Surgery programs.