JOB SUMMARY
To act as patient advocate, providing continuity of care designed to meet individual patient needs through collaboration with other members of the health care team at Hospital. Supports the philosophy, objectives and goals of the Hospital. The PreOp nurse will ensure quality care to the individual patients recovering from surgery including but not limited to geriatric, adult pediatric, neonatal, and adolescent patients.
Reports To: PreOp Supervisor
Classification: Non-Exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
Licensure as Registered Nurse. Degree from accredited nursing school. Minimum one year experience as a staff nurse preferred.
Current PALS and ACLS certification.
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
Category I exposure to bloodborne pathogens, frequent exposure to chemical hazards and may encounter radiation hazards.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1.1 Readies the area to receive patients.
2.1 Allergies
2.2 Medications taken at home
2.3 Dentures, contacts or glasses
2.4 Pertinent medical conditions
2.5 Pertinent past medical history
2.6 Confirmation of consent and operative side
2.7 Assures laterality procedure marked per policy.
2.8 Confirmation of responsible party
3.1 Temperature
3.2 Weight and height
3.3 Start IV on all patients, except those who have an order not to start an IV. Utilizes anesthesia protocol regarding IV fluids and catheter size.
4.Respects patients’ right to privacy, dignity and confidentiality.
Assists the patient to undress, if patient needs assistance, and gives locker key to Patients’ family.
Follows appropriate Pre-Op/Admitting policies and procedures.
Performs pre-operative instruction and explanation according to facility policy and procedure.
1 Provides preoperative instruction.
2 Describes the perioperative experience to the patient and the participation of the significant other, including what to expect before, during and after the procedure.
3 Reviews health history and procedure to be performed. Provides all required preoperative instructions applicable to the procedure being performed.
4 Completes the nursing pre-assessment record.
5 Reviews with the anesthesiologist health histories of any scheduled admissions that do not meet the Center’s admission criteria.
6 Reviews or takes physician verbal preoperative orders. Monitors that orders or preoperative testing requests from either the admitting physician or the anesthesiologist have been received.
7 Carries out all pre-operative orders for testing; lab, EKG.
8 Modifies physician/anesthesiologist of any critical values.
Is knowledgeable about and responsive to emergency situations, i.e. cardiac arrest, malignant hyperthermia, drug reaction, fire, disaster etc.
Reports and completes appropriate forms for incidents related to patients, visitors,and employees.
10.Attends and participates in staff meetings and staff development programs, including mandatory ones.
Participates in CQI process and activities.
Assists with all other duties as the need arises or as assigned.
Performs duties of waived and specific non-waived I-stat laboratory testing to include pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic phases of testing. This includes specimen collection and processing, instrument operating and quality controls, evaluation and documentation of test results and notification of physician of any critical results.
Ensures that patients are seen by the anesthesiologist prior to being taken to the OR.
Sets priorities to facilitate the timely and efficient flow of patients throughout the day.
Prepares and restocks the Pre-Operative area for the following day.
Comply with facility Standards of Behavior and complete all required education assignments within the designated timeline.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, converse, and listen; use hands to touch, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; and to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee must be able to lift and/or carry over 20 pounds on a regular basis and be able to push/pull over 25 pounds on a regular basis.
The employee must be able to stand and/or walk at least five hours per day.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.