Registered Nurse (RN) OR Circulator - Surgery

BASIC PURPOSE OF THE JOB Manages individualized, goal-directed nursing care through use of the nursing process and the principles of primary nursing in accordance with departmental and hospital policies and procedures.

Requirements

Minimum Education: Must be a graduate of an accredited program of professional nursing either a four year degree Bachelor's Degree or a two year Associate's Degree. Minimum Work Experience: Must possess current hospital experience (within past five years) or be a new nursing graduate (within last two years). Required Licenses / Certifications: Licensed RN in the State of Idaho. BLS Certified. ACLS and PALS highly recommended. Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Understanding and following of hospital mission statement of high quality, high compassion, and high customer service. Works collaboratively and positively with surgical staff, anesthesia staff, physicians, and staff from other departments. Creation and maintenance of a safe and comfortable environment in which surgery can take place. Provision of direct and indirect patient care which involves the use of nursing judgment, critical thinking skills, and interpersonal communication skills. Knowledge of and ability to use the nursing process in assessing, diagnosing, planning, intervening, and evaluating to meet individual patient needs and education of the patient. Supervision and education of surgical team members and education of the patient acting as a patient advocate in meeting physical, psychosocial, and cultural needs. Assists in the total patient care within surgery and recovery room. Identification and transportation of patient, performs brief assessment of patient, completes chart review and pre-op interview review, confirms operative site, identifies physical and psychological needs of patient and family. Reviews pertinent information with surgeon/anesthesia as needed. Assists in planning individual procedure according to patient needs in conjunction with surgeon/anesthesia. Ability to function as circulator during surgical procedures. Preparation of patient while protecting patient from hazards of surgery/anesthesia; proper positioning, supports/restraints, preparing electrical devices/grounding pads. Assists anesthesia during the administration of anesthetic; attachment of monitors, epidural, beir blocks, MAC, intubation/extubation, starting IVs as needed. Awareness of medications used intraoperatively and post-operatively/PACU and administer as needed per Doctor's order. Thorough knowledge and observance of aseptic technique/sterile technique and universal precautions, monitor traffic patterns, protect sterile environment. Coordinates the instrument, sharps, and sponge counts according to hospital policy. Knowledge of procedures with the ability to scrub/assist if necessary. Facilitates and performs appropriate precautions when handling specimens and blood products, and when disposing of soiled linens, drapes, sponges, sharps. Takes and/or writes Doctor's orders as necessary. Maintains a correct/complete documentation of surgical procedure and charges. Notifies PACU and/or other nursing units of patient's condition at/or prior to transport. Assist in patient transfers from Surgery to Recovery Room and from Recovery Room to the floor. Gives verbal report with transportation of patient. Works PACU as needed after adequate orientation is achieved. Initiates/participates in emergency measures when warranted. Assembles, prepares, checks, and reports malfunctions or breakage of equipment/instruments. Cleans/sterilizes instruments/equipment, wrapping, autoclaving, disinfecting, flashing, the need for gas sterilization and the use of appropriate monitoring devices. Initial preparation of Operation Room suites, preparation of cases, opening supplies, getting equipment ready and positioned. Cleaning rooms between cases. Assists in maintenance of supplies and linen by giving proper notification of needed items to the appropriate staff member/ordering person. Help with stocking supplies on arrival. Functions as a preceptor to new orientees. Remains familiar with and follows policy/procedures and standards of practice for Perioperative nursing. Participates in evaluation/review of nursing procedures as needed. Maintains/participates in in-services activities. Assists in scheduling cases.