Lead: RN Surgical Services (Full-time)

Pagosa Springs Medical Center•Pagosa Springs, CO

7d•$33 - $51•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Services Lead RN will lead the perioperative team in facilitating patient throughput. The Lead will ensure adequate staffing and coordinate efficient surgical schedule flow. The Lead acts as a preceptor and assists in the orientation process of new team members. The Lead RN will have a combination of both direct patient care responsibilities as well as administrative functions. This position works directly with the Surgical Services Manager to provide oversight, supervision, and scheduling of the clinical support staff (RNs, Technologists and Technicians). This position will be a member of the Surgical Services administration team and assist in maintaining, developing, and enhancing surgical efficiencies necessary to support surgeons, anesthesia providers and patient flow. The Lead RN is also responsible for the initiation, revision and/or discontinuation of the surgical preference cards. The employee must be capable of clear, concise communication and exercise independent judgment in the monitoring of day-to-day responsibilities while maximizing patient safety and maintaining clinical quality standards. The Lead RN will also perform standard surgical nursing functions as needed. Join a Hospital That Feels Like Family – In a Town That Feels Like Home Pagosa Springs Medical Center is an award-winning, independent Critical Access Hospital serving the residents and visitors of Archuleta County and the surrounding region. As a modern rural hospital, PSMC delivers exceptional emergency, primary, and specialty care supported by advanced technology, a collaborative medical staff, and a leadership team committed to quality, safety, and patient-centered service. At PSMC, you are not just a number – you are a valued team member whose contributions make a real difference. We prioritize professional growth, meaningful work, and a positive, supportive workplace culture grounded in our WISER values: Wholeness, Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence, and Respect. What you’ll find at PSMC: A supportive, collaborative culture where people truly care about each other Modern facilities and growing service lines Leadership that listens and invests in staff Opportunities to learn, grow, and advance your career A place where you can have direct impact on patient care and community wellness Live Where Other People Vacation Pagosa Springs is a mountain paradise tucked among the rugged peaks of the San Juan National Forest. Here, you can step into nature the moment you clock out: Relax in our world-famous hot springs Ski or snowboard at Wolf Creek Ski Area – “the most snow in Colorado,” just 30 minutes away Explore hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and off-roading trails Enjoy fly fishing, rafting, or paddle boarding on pristine rivers and lakes Experience warm, friendly community with local festivals, live music, farmers markets, and small-town charm If you’re looking for meaningful work, work-life balance, and a community that embraces you – PSMC and Pagosa Springs are the perfect place to build your future.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Graduate of an accredited RN program.
Minimum of five (5) years experience in the perioperative setting is required.
Orthopedic, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, ENT surgical procedures and interventional pain management experience is required.
Current Colorado licensure as RN, in good standing.
Current AHA BLS certification for healthcare providers required.
Current ACLS certification or attendance and successful completion at next available course (within 3 months).
Current PALS certification or attendance and successful completion at next available course (within 3 months).
Basic computer knowledge (Microsoft Office, electronic health record).
Demonstrates ability to read, write, and clearly express one’s self in English 100% of the time.
Demonstrates ability to listen.
Demonstrates ability to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken work, to impart oral information to others or the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Nice To Haves

BSN is desired but not required.
Gastroenterology / Endoscopy Lab experience is desired but not required.
Additional languages desired but not required.
CNOR certification is strongly desired but not required. CRNFA certification is strongly desired but not required.

Responsibilities

Meets all standard job requirements.
Accountability: Meets standards and clear expectations for Surgical Services including, job performance, training, continuing education, certifications, conduct and adherence to district values.
Holds self and staff accountable in a consistent and respectful manner.
Follows all approved PSMC policies and procedures.
Interpersonal Skills: Communicates effectively, keeping leadership and team members informed and involved.
Treats people with respect, recognizes individuality and is fair and equitable in all interactions.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving tactics. Uses sound and fair judgement in a calm and professional manner.
Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility when new information becomes available.
Works collaboratively with others, communicates the department’s vision and strategy across all levels of the organization, and builds consensus around key initiatives and projects.
Establishes and maintains respectful and effective relationships with providers, employees, patients and managers/directors/Senior Leadership.
Ability to handle high stress situations, rapid pace, multiple issues, interruptions and matters requiring sensitivity.
Able to work independently, meeting essential job functions, deadlines and priorities, while also utilizing available resources when needed.
Departmental Operations: Practices within the RN scope of care as defined by the State of Colorado.
Provides patient care, as ordered, within the RN scope of practice, including comprehensive patient assessment, patient care planning, initiating/directing treatments, reassessment/monitoring response, evaluation of care provided and patient/family education.
Performs nursing tasks, as ordered, including administration of medication and therapy, using appropriate technique and appropriate dose calculations. Operates infusion pumps, and documents accurately in the electronic health record.
Facilitates the daily surgical schedule to ensure efficient patient flow and adequate staffing.
Prioritizes work effectively with administrative, clinical and support staff to accomplish the department and organizational goals.
Works collaboratively with ancillary departments to meet the needs of the surgical patients and the department.
Works with the Manager of Surgical Services to ensure that each provider is assigned sufficient resources to meet the patient care needs (space, supplies, equipment and staff).
Assists the Manager of Surgical Services with the monthly scheduling and staffing assignments.
Assists the Manager of Surgical Services in the budget planning process for the surgery department.
Maintains the departmental quality logs including but not limited to: Biological Tissue Tracking Log; Equipment Repair Log; Temperature, Humidity and Pressure Log; and PreOp / PACU Daily Equipment Log.
Ensures quality risk management events, patient complaints, employee exposure and/or injuries are reported per policy.
Maintains a basic understanding of CPT and ICD 10 codes.
Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly based on knowledge of device / equipment and the instructions for use.
Maintains the IFU (Instructions for Use) files, resources to ensure the files remain up-to-date and applicable to all utilized equipment and instruments.
Holds all staff accountable for following up-to-date, approved protocols for equipment and instrument handling.
Responsible for supply chain management tasks: re-ordering / stocking of departmental supplies on a regular basis and as needed.
Administers IV infusion of medications prescribed by the provider.
Researches each medication to be given and knows the appropriate doses, side effects, and contraindications etc.
Utilizes resources such as Lexicomp, Nursing Drug Handbooks, and PSMC pharmacist to ensure patient safety.
Follows the seven (7) medication rights (right patient, right medication, right dose, right time, right route, right indication and right documentation) and reduces the potential for medication errors.
Demonstrates the ability to perform age specific nursing care by reviewing the History and Physical (H&P) and performs reassessments to identify any changes in patient condition.
Verifies the presence of a complete, accurate, and signed surgical / procedure consent prior to beginning a case.
Promotes wellness by providing education materials to patients and communicating physician instructions and orders.
Works with the provider to reinforce patient education and prior patient teaching surrounding disease state, treatment plan, and medications.
Utilizes the National Patient Safety goals in providing patient care.
Maintains and monitors adherence to all clinical care standards identified for use in the Surgical Services department.
Monitors patient flow and room utilization and makes recommendations for enhancement and improvement in these areas.
Manages and maintains surgical supply inventory and ordering per PSMC guidelines.
Describes the underlying pathophysiology of commonly encountered injury and/or disease processes.
Monitors patients for changes in condition and reports any abnormal findings to the appropriate care provider.
Demonstrates a high level of critical thinking and clinical judgement skills to assure the delivery of safe and effective nursing care for the surgical services patient.
Acts as a liaison between the Surgical Services administrative team, promoting a culture of effective communication, collaboration and a commitment to service and clinical excellence.
Implements evidence-based best practices to assure the provision of a high level of patient care with optimal patient outcomes in an environment that promotes teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Provides patient and family education around medical conditions, diagnostic and surgical procedures, as well as postoperative rehabilitation goals and strategies to achieve these goals.
Serves as a nursing resource to Surgery staff, while taking the initiative to stay current on nationally recognized practice standards and guidelines, regulatory standards, and strategies for improving the patient experience.
Assists in the development and implementation of nursing policies and procedures that promote the safe and effective delivery of nursing care in the Surgical Services setting.
Utilizes available resources such as AORN, AAMI and ACS to stay current with best practices.
Assists in the development and implementation of best practice processes to ensure safe and effective delivery of care and improve outcomes in Surgical Services.
Supports and promotes organizational key strategies and initiatives including, but not limited to: patient, employee and physician engagement; leadership rounding; quality improvement; and regulatory readiness.
Efficiently and accurately collects and documents patient related quality data in accordance with Surgery workflows and protocols. In collaboration with leadership, develops action plans to address opportunities for improvement.
Initiates and completes all department specific, initial intake patient assessments following established documentation requirements in the electronic medical record.
Transfers care, when needed, following hospital procedure, utilizing the SBAR format.
Utilizes the National Patient Safety goals in providing patient care.
Participates in the coordination of care by bringing any concerns to their direct supervisor.
Communicates effectively with ordering providers to ensure that all orders are accurate and complete.
Performs approved nursing procedures as defined by specific department and successful completion of associated competencies.
Completes all Cerner documentation required in accordance with competencies, trainings, and PSMC policy and procedures.
Audits, completes and/or verifies correct charges drop for each case, every day.
Utilizes efax to process faxes.
Uses approved abbreviations. Refer to PSMC policy: Abbreviations in the Medical Record.
Assists providers, other department, and hospital staff.
Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs (any patient over 10 kg., pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric).
Use at least two identifiers when confirming the identity of each patient (i.e., name and date of birth).
Accurately and efficiently completes all elements of patient intake following Surgery workflows and protocols. Appropriate documentation of the patient intake includes, but is not limited to: medications, allergies, history of present illness, procedure history, social history, family history, depression screening and immunization status.
Demonstrates proficiency in completion and documentation of patient data, using the correct electronic health record template for care.
Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring and can identify dysrhythmias.
Demonstrates the ability to take appropriate action based on rhythm interpretation.
Identifies and addresses psycho-social needs of patients and families. Appropriately adjusts care for patients of all cultural and religious backgrounds.
Consults other departments, as needed and as appropriate, to provide for an inter-disciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
Demonstrates the knowledge of medications and IV fluids and/or blood products and their correct administration based on age of the patient and the patient’s clinical condition.
Utilizes required templates and/or forms when documenting within the electronic health record.
Demonstrate willingness to perform tasks and complete assigned work, does not leave unfinished tasks for others to complete.
Prioritizes tasks so that the most important tasks are completed first.
Initiates action to prevent the occurrence of any potential problems or nonconformities relating to patient care or supporting activities.
Initiates, recommends or provides solutions through designated channels.
Assists supervisor in oversight, supervision, education, and leadership of clinical support staff.
Preps operating room / procedure rooms for patients and maintains clean and sanitary treatment areas.
Stocks and maintains medical supplies in operating/procedure rooms so necessary items are available for provider/patient.
Works within the operating suite but outside the sterile field ensuring a safe environment for optimal surgical outcome and acts as a patient advocate throughout the perioperative continuum of care.
Creates and maintains a sterile field.
Assists anesthesia during patient induction and emergence of anesthesia and/or managing the patients care related to sedation and monitoring.
Assists in patient positioning and surgical prep to ensure the patient remains free of injury.
Knowledge of use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.
Implements and initiates appropriate perioperative nursing interventions in the care of the surgical patient including but not limited to: protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources; performing accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items; performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level; managing the patient’s specimens according to organizational policy and procedures; communicating the patient’s current status to relevant parties throughout the continuum of care; performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels; performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels; performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period; performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection; assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person; providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure; involving the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care and the rehabilitation process; protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy; providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.
Performs appropriate treatments as ordered by physician in an accurate and timely manner.
Documents patient assessment findings, physical / psychosocial responses to nursing intervention and progress towards problem resolution.
Initiates and/or assists in emergency resuscitative measures according to adult and pediatric resuscitation and advanced life support protocols.
Carries out medical and surgical asepsis during treatments, surgeries and special procedures. Utilizes universal precautions with all appropriate patients.
Reduces potential for infection by instituting appropriate level of infection precautions based on patient condition and procedure scheduled.
Participates in bi-annual inventory process.
Assists in outdating expired supplies.
Builds, initiates surgical preference cards for new procedures prior to adding new procedures / cases.
Maintains, revises established surgical preference cards in a timely manner.
Discontinues surgical preference cards for procedures no longer applicable.
Pursues professional growth and maintains specialized knowledge and skills in surgical nursing practice by participating in professional organizations and on-going continuing education/in-service training with emphasis in surgical services practice.
Meets the qualifications as set forth herein.

Benefits

Benefits include generous paid time off, separate sick leave, health, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, long-term disability and option for short-term disability, and retirement plan with employer contribution.

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