RN - Surgery - Circulating (Per Diem)

POSITION SPECIFICS
Title: Registered Nurse – Surgery/Surgery Center
FTE:  Per Diem
Schedule: Variable
Holiday Rotation:  N/A
Weekend Rotation: N/A
On Call Hours: N/A
 
POSITION SUMMARY
Nurses care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent or disabled. Under general supervision, deliver care to patients utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation, in accordance with established philosophy. Collaborate with other professional disciplines to ensure effective patient care delivery and achievement of desired patient outcomes. Effectively interact with patient and significant others, while maintaining the standard of professional nursing. Provide care and support to patients before, during and after surgery and assist the surgeon and the surgical team in their tasks.

POSITION TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Consult and coordinate with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient-care plans.
2. Respond to life threatening situations based upon nursing standards, policies, procedures, and protocol.
3. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of surgical procedures and treatments and have the ability to explain them to patients at their level of understanding.
4. Observe, record significant condition change, and any reaction for patients.  In a timely manner, notify supervisor or physician of change in patient's condition, reaction to drug, treatment, and significant incidents as well as compile and evaluate patient’s vital signs/laboratory or data from monitoring or diagnostic tests to determine potential emergency interventions.
5. Monitor, record and communicate patient condition as appropriate utilizing computerized documentation systems.
6. Assist physicians or providers with procedures such as intubation, central line placement, arterial line placement or elective cardioversion.
7. Apply and monitor medical equipment and devices such as cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, external pacemakers, oxygen delivery devices, transducers and pressure lines.
8. Closely monitor patients’ fluid intake and output to detect potential problems such as fluid imbalance or electrolyte imbalances.
9. Via the electronic medical record (EMR), acknowledge physician’s orders by the process of review and verification.  Once order is acknowledged, follow through on order or delegate in a timely fashion.
10. Develop a rapport with patient & family and conduct preoperative education.
11. Serve as the communication liaison to family and members of the operating team.
12. Perform minimal to moderate sedation, take and monitor patient vital signs when administering sedation or in absence of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
13. Ensure that the correct patient is receiving the correct service and that the correct procedure is being performed.
14. Provide basic, bedside care and maintain awareness of comfort and safety needs of patient.
15. Prepare and administer (orally, subcutaneously, IV) and record prescribed medications. Report adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the QM policy.
16. Clean and prep Surgery Center bays and/or Operating room areas, as necessary, during patient turnover routine in accordance with environmental cleaning protocols and procedures.
17. Initiate corrective action whenever information from monitoring equipment shows adverse symptomatology.
18. Initiate patient education plan according to the individualized needs of the patient, as prescribed. by physician and/or hospital policy including patient and family
19. Safely care for multiple patients as per ASPAN guidelines.  Maintains a safe environment for patients and uses safety precautions appropriately.
20. Demonstrates understanding and utilization of Universal Precautions, asepsis and infection control procedures.
21. Ensures proper labeling and handling of specimens.
22. Participate in department or unit quality improvement activities and attend 75% of Unit Meetings.
23. Protect and advocate for patient rights.
24. Participate in continuing education through in-services and other educational offerings in a personal effort to maintain an adequate knowledge and skill level.
25. Float to other units as necessary.
26. Perform other position-related duties as assigned.
27. May have precepting responsibility for another person.

• Required: Associate Degree in Nursing
• Preferred: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

• Required: None
• Preferred: 3 – 5 years of preoperative, intraoperative, and/or postoperative patient care

• Required: State of Wisconsin Registered Nurse License
• Preferred: None

• Required:  Basic Life Support (BLS) within 3 months of hire for all RN’s. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 6 months of hire for nurses who perform phase I recovery and/or moderate sedation. Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 6 months of hire for RN’s who perform phase I recovery
• Preferred: None

1. Retirement plan with immediate vesting and employer match
2. Discounted membership to our state-of-the-art fitness facility
3. Free parking at facility