BLOCK/PREOP NURSE

ANDREWS INSTITUTE ASC LLC•Gulf Breeze, FL

About The Position

We are looking for an experienced and driven Block Nurse to join our Preop team at Andrews Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center. The Block RN is an expert in nursing care of patients undergoing regional anesthesia procedures, including knowledge of anesthetic agents and techniques. They will partner with anesthesiologists and the perioperative team to provide excellence in postoperative pain management, utilizing strong procedural performance, critical thinking, and patient focused care. The Block RN will consistently perform according to the standards of the Florida Board of Nursing and the policies and procedures on Andrews Institute ASC.

Requirements

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
Ability to apply and modify the principles, methods and techniques of professional nursing to provide on-going patient care.
Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing
Current Florida Registered Nurse License
Block Nurse of intervention radiology experience or surgical experience as an OBGYN Nurse
Current certification; BLS, ACLS, and PALS

Nice To Haves

Advanced certification
ASC experience

Responsibilities

Educate patients and caregivers on the purpose and use of the peripheral nerve block to control postoperative pain, including the anticipated decreased use of narcotic pain medications
Alerts patients to expect feelings of numbness and tingling to the affected area, what to expect when the nerve block wears off, and how to protect the block extremity.
Informs patients what to expect during the procedure, including positioning, administration of sedation, use of nerve stimulation and its effect (uncontrolled limb twitching), and use of ultrasound guidance for nerve identification
Educates patients and caregivers on pain pumps, including use of the Bolus function for breakthrough pain management, troubleshooting of pump alarms, and catheter removal and pump return.
Skillful in programming pain pumps with prescribed rates and concentrations.
Ensures completion of appropriate block procedure forms
Assists with ultrasound guided regional anesthesia; independently prepares patients for the administration of regional anesthesia.
Participates in data collection, including the efficacy of pain pumps to control postop pain, and specific types of blocks performed daily, monthly, and annually.
Knowledgeable in LAST (local anesthetic systemic toxicity).
Maintains appropriate block forms (operative reports, ultrasound reports, block procedure forms, patient discharge instructions) and updated forms when necessary.
Conducts daily chart review to prepare the workload of the next day.
Demonstrates self-direction, motivation, and professionalism by identifying areas of needed professional development, participation in educational activities and staff meetings, and being reliable and accountable on scheduled workdays.
Provides exceptional practice within acceptable standards ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
Demonstrates excellent time management skills to maintain optimal efficiency and productivity of the department.
Completes annual mandatory educational programs and attends facility in-services and departmental huddles.