Main function

The position description for this RN includes the obtaining of appropriate pre-admission assessment / testing on all surgical patients as established by the guidelines. Initiates pre-operative teaching to patient and family. Accountable for accurate medical / surgical histories and physical examinations, laboratory, EKG and all other pre-tests / clearances deemed necessary per protocol. Communicates abnormal histories / results to anesthesiologists for further direction / orders. Works under supervision of Nurse Manager and receives direction from physicians.

Duties and responsibilities

Philosophy:

• Supports the facility’s ideology, mission, goals, and objectives
• Performs in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures
• Follows the facility’s standards for ethical business conduct
• Conducts self as a positive role model and team member
• Recognizes patients’ rights and responsibilities and supports them in performance of job duties

General:

• Participates in facility committees, meetings, in-services, and activities
• Punctual and comply with attendance guidelines
• Gets along well with all employees and respects the rights of other employees
• Demonstrates resourcefulness, independent thinking and seeks additional challenges and opportunities. Seeks to create new methods, techniques and processes.

Communication:

• Communicates effectively and professionally with vendors, physicians, coworkers, patients and visitors
• Interacts with others in a positive, professional, respectful, and considerate manner
• 4. Financial practices
• Uses facility resources appropriately and avoids wasteful practices
• Reports wasteful practices
• Analyzes work area and makes recommendations for potential cost-effective improvements

Compliance program:

• Assists in the implementation and maintenance of the organization’s adopted compliance program
• Performs according to established compliance policies and procedures

Performance-improvement program:

• Contributes to the progress and development of the organization's adopted performance-improvement program, policies, and procedures
• Performs according to established performance-improvement policies and procedures

Safety/risk-management program:

• Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities
• Reports observed or suspected safety violations, hazards, and policy/procedure noncompliance to the safety officer or other designated person
• Complete annual education requirements

Professional competence:

• Participates in continuing education and other learning experiences
• Shares knowledge gained in continuing education with staff
• Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations
• Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities
• Welcomes suggestions and recommendations

Regulatory:

• Remains current on all applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, professional
• standards and accreditation standards
• Submits required reports on a timely basis
• Develops, interprets and recommends implementation of policies, procedures, regulations,
• programs and recommended practices to ensure requirements are met 10.

Duties:

• Utilizes current scheduling grid to reference scheduling request forms from the surgeons’ offices.
• Calls each patient and obtains / reviews health history submitted via the on-line pre-assessment program and, if appropriate, coordinates with patient to have PAT performed by primary physician. Patient completes on-line medical surgical history.
• If a face-to-face PAT at AIASC is requested per anesthesiologist – appointment is arranged (see policy).
• PAT at primary physician – patient makes own appointment and PAT Nurse contacts doctor’s office to explain the required PAT and faxes the orders to physician’s office (see policy).
• If PAT is done at AIASC - completes medial surgical history, physical exam, height/weight, send to GBH Lab (if needed), EKG’s as appropriate per protocol and by established standards.
• Reports abnormal findings to Anesthesiologist or Surgeon with appropriate documentation.
• Checks for completeness of required testing prior to day of surgery and obtains test results from where performed.
• Documents patient education as appropriate to the patient’s scheduled surgery and pre-operative instructions.
• Identifies special needs of the patient and/or family to assure proper patient care.
• Works with Control Desk Coordinator to assure patient charts are completed in a timely manner.
• Assists in pre-operative calls the day before their scheduled surgery, being sure all PAT, orders, surgery request, and informed consent is appropriately on the chart
• Maintains accurate control and secure confidentiality of records and documentation.
• Maintains supplies and equipment in an aseptic and functional manner.
• Check and respond to emails in a timely and efficient manner
• Additional duties as directed

Responsibility for assets:

• Maintains supplies and equipment in an aseptic and functional manner.
• Qualifications
• Minimum 2 years of experience in recovery room nursing or related critical care field.
• Age specific exposure to pediatrics, adolescent’s adults, and Geriatrics.
• Ambulatory experience preferred
• Cooperative work attitude toward co-employees, management, patients, visitors, and physicians
• Ability to promote favorable facility image with physicians, patients, insurance companies, and general public
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems

Requirements:

Required

• Graduate of accredited School of Nursing
• Current Florida RN license
• Current certification; BLS, ACLS and PALS

Job quality requirements:

• Accuracy
• Attention to detail
• Computer literacy
• Timeliness
• Organization
• Low degree of supervision needed to accomplish tasks

Dependability:

• Attendance
• Punctuality
• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to meet deadlines

Physical/mental requirements:

• Walking and standing 10% of work time. Sitting 80% of work time.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, carry, and raise from one level to another objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to assist in moving patients with assistance.
• Ability to stoop, bend at the knees and waist-downward and forward.
• Frequent reaching and extending hands and arms in any direction.
• Handling, holding, fingering, grasping, and turning objects regularly.
• Perceiving through feel, attributes of objects such as size, temperature, shape.
• Hear/speak adequately to communicate effectively with staff and vendors.
• Visual acuity to be able to read instructions and orders.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods
• Visual and auditory acuity for frequent use of computer and telephone and occasional use of other office equipment

Working conditions (environmental):

• Well lit and ventilated, with non-hazardous and hazardous equipment
• Category III: involves exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may encounter chemical hazards

Reports to: Pre/Post/PAT Manager

Supervises: Not applicable

• Contacts:
• Patients
• Facility personnel
• Vendors
• Administration
• Medical director

Formal lines of promotion: No formal lines of promotion