Careers at PSI

JOB SUMMARY

Provides planned, skilled nursing care for patients in the critical preoperative and postoperative periods. Provides continuous patient surveillance for early recognition and immediate emergency treatment of medical or surgical complications that may arise in any postoperative patient.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:         Team/Director of Nursing

Supervises:        Licensed Practical Nurses; ancillary personnel assigned to pre/postoperative area

QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate of accredited school of nursing required

Current state licensure required

Experience in postoperative or critical care area preferred

CPR/ACLS certification required

ACLS required, BLS Required. Minimum 2 years experience in critical care. OH RN license required

MENTAL DEMANDS

Require constant and frequent judgment and response; occasionally in response to disasters or emergencies, actual events or drills. Require language skills adequate for high-level written and interpersonal communication in American English.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Require high-level visual and auditory acuity for timely response and patient care assessment activities. Ability to move quickly in response to physician and patient needs, to stand for long periods, occasional overhead and low reaching, and to exert force of up to 50 lbs. occasionally, up to 20 lbs. frequently and/or up to 10 lbs. constantly. Patient care activities may require the ability to exert force of up to 30 lbs. constantly, up to 40 lbs. occasionally and up to 100 lbs. rarely.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE

Category I exposure to bloodborne pathogens; frequent exposure to chemical hazards; may encounter radiation hazards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES

1.   Supports the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Organization.

1.1.   Supports, and performs according to, approved policies and procedures.

1.2    Participates as a team member in support of the total peri-operative process

1.3    Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.

1.4    Participates as a functional team member in admitting and discharging patients in a safe and timely manner.

2.   Contributes to the progress and development of the approved QAPI Program.

2.1.   Supports risk management and participates in programs directed to patient and staff safety.

2.2.   Contributes to the QAPI process; identifies role and contributions to functional teams; participates in data collecting; collaborates with team to identify opportunities to improve patient safety.

2.3.   Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances, and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.  Accepts constructive criticism with a positive attitude. 

2.4   Places the best interest of the Team ahead of self interests.

2.5   Accepts changes in patient care assignments with a positive attitude and response.

2.6   Readily accepts changes in work schedule.  Is accepting of changes necessary to meet unanticipated scheduling needs.

3.   Communicates effectively with patients, visitors, physicians, and co‑workers.

3.1    Interactions are respectful and courteous.

3.2.   Communicates effectively on the patient’s level, keeping in mind age, mental ability and education.  Uses a translator when necessary and treats the translator with the same courtesy as the patient.

3.3.   Documents pertinent patient information on the chart and other appropriate places (e.g. bed eye sheet; bilateral hearing aides, monocular, claustrophobic, etc.) and gives report to appropriate staff. (i.e. informs the CRNA of Accucheck results and/or patients home test  if appropriate.) 

3.4  Communicates effectively and educates the patient regarding the admission and discharge processes as they occur. 

3.5    Recognizes when there is a need for patient’s caregiver and/or family member to assist in the admission process to obtain accurate information to assure a safe and satisfactory surgical experience.    

4.   Maintains and promotes professional competence through continuing education and other learning experiences.

4.1.   Attends and actively participates in team meetings, committees, conferences, and quality management activities.

4.2.   Researches and submits pertinent articles and information for review at staff meetings.

4.3.   Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities. Actively participates in problem solving for assigned team.

4.4.   Objectively evaluates suggestions and constructive criticism presented by administration, team leader or team member and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance, as needed.  Uses “team protocol” when approaching another team member to offer suggestions, constructive criticism or resolve conflicts. 

4.5.   Maintains current R.N. license and fulfills obligation for required continuing education for license and facility. Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations.

4.6. Attends mandatory and voluntary meetings, in-services, workshops, seminars and   conferences according to job responsibilities and Facility requirements.  Seek to broaden knowledge of peri-operative surgery.

4.7.   Assists with orientation and training of new personnel and acts as a resource person for patient care problems.

4.8.   Completes “team” assignments within the required guidelines. 

5.   Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.

5.1.   Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and noncompliance according to Facility policy.  Corrects, immediately and responsibly, safety issues or problems which staff is qualified to address (wet floor, side rail down).

5.2.   Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities; enforces compliance with safety and security policies and procedures. Uses proper body mechanics when assisting a patient. 

5.3.   Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure, is familiar with alarm sounds and can differentiate call bells, monitor alarms and code alarm.  Is familiar with crash cart, its contents and where to obtain necessary supplies.  Is knowledgeable regarding locations of eye wash stations and spill kits. 

6.   Interacts appropriately with various age groups.

6.1.   Accurately assesses and interprets age-specific patient data.  Interacts with patient & family appropriately during the pre/post operative experience.

6.2.   Accuratelyinterprets age-specific responses frompatient and family members and   communicates questions and instructions accordingly.

6.3.   Involves the patient’s family/significant other in decision-making about the patient’s care.

6.4.   Provides care appropriate to the patient’s age group and mental abilities during pre and post-op care, assessments and instructions.

6.5    Assesses the patient’s mental and physical capabilities accurately and knows when it is imperative to include family members or caregivers in care to assure a satisfactory  outcome for the patient.

6.6    Assesses problems appropriately. Resolves problems independently when possible; knows when to seek assistance.

6.7.   Accurately applies knowledge of growth and development.

6.8.   Considers age-specific patient requirements when responding to emergency situations.

6.9    Knowledgeable in age-specific disease processes and treats patients accordingly.

7.   Effectively organizes time, equipment, supplies, and personnel.

7.1.   Organizes nursing activities efficiently; considers staff abilities when delegating activities.

7.2.   Prioritizes patient care with efficient use of available time to prepare for the next work day.

7.3.   Uses equipment effectively by anticipating patient needs and providing appropriate care. Demonstrates proficiency in operating all equipment in the pre-post area.

7.4.   Assists with inventory of supplies, drugs, and equipment to maintain availability and stock levels in pre/postoperative areas.  Has knowledge of supply locations, par levels, and ordering procedures.

7.5.   Is familiar with the Pharmacy; where medications are stored and is knowledgeable of medications used in the Facility. 

7.6.   Considers cost-effectiveness in the provision of care.     

7.7.   Maintains order and cleanliness of pre/postoperative area.

8.   Performs thorough preoperative patient assessment required by the outpatient setting.

8.1.   Assists in assessing the physical, emotional and developmental status of the patient upon admission according to Facility policy.

8.2.   Develops a plan for patient care based on assessment data. Considers present and past disease processes, medications, allergies, and personalizes a plan of care according to the patient. 

8.3.   Educates patient & family about routine pre/post care and updates when necessary.

8.4.   Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient and supports the patient’s right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.

9.   Implements and documents preoperative care according to Facility policy (e.g. evaluates charts, administers medications, and prepares operative site).

9.1.   Identifies the patient with another qualified staff member, involving the patient in the process according to the facility policy.  Identification process is documented on the patient’s chart.

9.2.   Identifies and marks the correct operative site with another qualified staff member involving the patient in the process according to the facility policy.  Identification process is documented on the patient’s chart. 

9.3.   Verifies patient compliance with pertinent pre-operative instructions and obtains  full  set of vital signs  prior to instilling dilating medication. (e.g. NPO status, use of pre-op antibiotic eye drops)

9.4.   Confirms that proper techniques and procedures are used according to accepted standards of practice. Uses aseptic technique and is proficient in instilling medications to operative eyes and initiating intravenous lines.

9.5.   Communicates “Need to Know” report to CRNA during the admission process and to the circulating RN upon transport to OR. 

9.6.   Reviews and co-signs pre-op assessments completed by Licensed Practical  Nurses as required by Ohio Law.

10. Performs safe and individualized nursing care for the patient in the immediate postoperative period.

10.1. Organizes nursing activities efficiently; understands greeting the patient and circulating RN upon arrival to post-op is priority. 

10.2. Receives report from the circulating R.N.; communicates need for clarification or questions when appropriate to assure accurate and complete information for transfer of patient care. 

10.3. Assesses and documents the patient’s physical and emotional status upon arrival in the post-operative area.  Compares post-op assessment with pre-op assessment for any pertinent changes. 

10.4. Documents postoperative care and identity of second person in the postoperative area during the patient’s recovery from anesthesia/sedation according to Facility policy.

10.5. Provides nursing care to meet patient needs related to surgical condition and type of anesthesia administered.

10.6. Observes safety measures in patient care activities.

10.7. Assures that discharge instructions are given and understood by patient and or caregiver.

10.8. Assures patient has met facility discharge criteria prior to release from facility.

 10.9.    Reviews and co-signs post-op assessments completed by Licensed Practical