Job Summary

Provides direct patient care to adolescents (≥16 years of age) through geriatric patient populations. (Patients under 16 years of age are evaluated by anesthesia for appropriateness.) Addresses the psychosocial, physical, and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment. Communicate with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously and as needed about patient condition. Assists with the maintenance of surgical equipment and inventory. Participates in performance improvement activities. Assesses operating room for equipment functioning and readiness, obtains supplies for individual cases and ensures all appropriate needs of the surgical operating team are met. Monitors, positions, and assists patients during procedures.

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas

• Approaches patient in a kind, gentle, and friendly manner.
• Responds to patient’s inappropriate behavior in a therapeutic manner.
• Takes appropriate actions and documents in response to manifested anxiety or distress.
• Gives patient explanations and verbal reassurances consistently.
• Adapts nursing procedures to meet the needs for age-specific treatment of each individual.
• Identifies physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate actions in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates ability to assess cardiorespiratory systems for changes.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.
• Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Directs and assists in maintenance and handling of special equipment and instruments.
• Observe behavioral and physiologic changes due to medications, take appropriate actions, and documents.
• Adjusts expectations of patient behavior and acts according to the effect medication has on the patient.
• Positions patients safely; pads and protects bony prominences.
• Preps and drapes patients correctly for all procedures.
• Carries out medical and surgical asepsis during all procedures.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Protects patient’s sensitivities and right to privacy.
• Demonstrates competence in preparing and cleaning of OR suites before and between cases and after terminal case, based on patient’s infection class.
• Carries out established techniques for safe administration of medications and parenteral fluids, as per hospital policies and procedures.
• Coordinates and supervises patient care; provides patient and family with teaching/education, as necessary.
• Supervises licensed practical nurses and surgical technologists in the operating room.
• Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions, and side effects.
• Follows the eight (8) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines, central lines, spinal and epidural catheters, and how to document appropriately.
• Is able to open sterile supplies.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the location, care, and operation of all surgical equipment.
• Accurately records handle and label specimens; demonstrates care of specimens.
• Ensures Pre-op Checklist is complete (H&P present, informed consent signed, test results present, the surgical site identified, etc.) before the patient is taken into the surgical suite.
• Is consistently ready and prepared for assigned cases and manages appropriate turnover time.
• Appropriately responds to the patient in an emergency or physically distressful situation.
• Assessment and reassessment of the patient is clearly and concisely communicated in charting. Documentation meets current standards, policies, and procedures and is completed within the shift.
• Effectively communicates with the physician in accounting for all sponges, needles, and instruments during and after the procedure and documents in the appropriate area.
• Communicates Clinical Laboratory/Imaging Services reports to the surgeon during the procedure.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory’s and the patient care unit’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret results of waived tests; take appropriate action on waived tests results.
• Gives a thorough report of the patient’s intraoperative condition to the PACU nurse.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co‑workers for the patient’s benefit.
• Counts narcotics at the beginning and end of all shifts with another RN, per hospital policy.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of instrument processing, sterilization, and biological monitoring. Actively participates in instrument processing, as schedule allows.
• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of dysrhythmias, followed by appropriate treatment.
• Is able to perform all duties of circulating and scrub nurses.
• Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain a steady level of productivity; self-motivated; manages activity and time; does not waste time.

Regulatory Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Texas.
• Current BLS certification.
• Current ACLS certification.
• Basic EKG or Arrhythmia-identification certification preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of work experience in the operating room. Novice RNs will be considered based on the vacancy and availability of preceptors.