Operating Room Registered Nurse

Katmai•Fort Carson, CO

28d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for directing and instructing personnel in preparing, sterilizing, and caring for operating room equipment and supplies. Including supervises central sterile supply service activities, maintains concise and complete records and reports, and provides professional nursing care to patients undergoing surgery.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Registered nurse shall be a graduate from a college or university accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Shall hold a national or state nursing license that is valid and current with no limitations, stipulations or pending adverse actions. License must be unencumbered and remain in effect during contract employment.
Shall have a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate by the American Red Cross, Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). These certifications shall be maintained in a current status at all times while performing services under this contract at no expense to the Government.
A minimum of twelve (12) months of experience is mandatory in operating room assignments. Experience must include all phases of operating room technique such as preparing operating room units, preparing patients for surgery, and assisting medical officer during surgery; and conducting instrument and equipment sterilization procedures.
Must complete orientation and competency verification programs in accordance with (IAW) unit guidelines.
Must be able to read, understand, speak, and write English well enough to effectively communicate with all patients and other health care providers.
Must obtain and maintain the site's required health screening and immunization requirements.
Must obtain and maintain any necessary security access and/or background checks.
Must obtain and maintain all required documents, certifications, licenses, etc. listed on the credentialing checklist, sent by Katmai’s Credentialing Specialist, for this position for initial hire.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of a variety of pharmacological agents used in patient treatment, the desired effects, side effects, and complications of their use as well as the accurate administration of the pharmacologic agent, including dosage calculations as required.
Knowledge of the administrative requirements for proper documentation of patient’s condition including disease progress, acknowledgment of teaching, and follow up care.
Working knowledge of laboratory test values.
Skilled in setting up, operating and monitoring specialized medical equipment such as IV infusion pumps, cardiac monitoring devices, EKG units, oxygen analyzers, nebulizers, and other unit specific equipment.
Excellent patient assessment skills.
Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a diverse group of people for the purpose of informing the healthcare team of plans/actions, for teaching/education to benefit the patient/family and organization.
Effectively uses appropriate communication format in addressing professional issues.
Excellent written communication skills to perform accurate documentation, both written and electronic, of all activity in accordance with requirements.
Knowledge of computer operations and proficiency in the use of basic word processing, data entry and automated medical records.
Ability to synthesize data from a variety of sources and make appropriate clinical decisions.
Communicate and collaborate with a multidisciplinary medical team acting as a role model and expert in the perioperative nursing care of patients. Establishes and maintains good interpersonal relationships with co-workers, families, peers, and other health team members.

Responsibilities

Maintain open communication lines, both intra-departmentally and interdepartmentally, to provide for total needs of the patient.
Conduct preoperative and postoperative visits. Discuss operative procedures with patients and inform them of what to expect during surgery.
Consult with the operating surgeon and establish priorities of care for each patient entering the operating suite. Coordinate with other hospital units, which include recovery room, intensive care, obstetrics, and nursing units, on patients’ progress and any special equipment or supplies that will be needed for the patient returning from surgery.
Establish and utilize a checklist to monitor the physical plan of the operating room and equipment for conformity to all national standards for ensuring safety for the patient and all personnel.
Assemble the type and quantity of material and special equipment needed for daily procedures and possible emergencies.
Respond to surgical emergency requirements such as cardiac, pulmonary, or respiratory failure and hemorrhage. Provide care based upon the assessed needs of the patient in relation to the proposed procedure.
Ensure accurate and thorough documentation of patient care events and process improvement activities in accordance with MTF guidelines.
Administer medications, electrolytes, fluids, blood, and blood products.
Ensure compliance with standards of care and practice in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and guidelines used in the medical treatment facility. Provide care within ethical and legal boundaries.
Recognize medical emergencies and respond appropriately. Initiate CPR if required. Assist surgical team in administering advanced cardiac life support measures when necessary.
Provide perioperative nursing care for all types of patients admitted to the surgical suite for surgical intervention. Includes elective, urgent and emergency procedures on patients of all ages.
Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care for all patients including newborns, children, adolescents, adults and the elderly; disabled to include visually and hearing impaired; and individuals of varying ethnic and religious backgrounds to include those who do not speak or understand English.
Actively participate in and comply with quality and process improvement activities and events to ensure compliance with national standards and guidelines.
Adhere to perioperative, infection control and safety policies and procedures.
Coordinate patient care through a continuum and facilitates the achievement of optimal outcomes in relation to care, quality and cost effectiveness.
Participate in the orientation, training, and evaluation of duty performance of newly assigned personnel, as appropriate.
Serve and participate in committees, functions and other meetings as directed. Provide relevant and timely information to these groups and assist with decision making and process improvement. Participate in customer service initiatives, and medical readiness activities, designed to enhance health services.
Check procedure set up for accuracy and perform routine cleaning and organization of work area.
Ensure a safe work environment, employee safe work habits and patient safety in accordance with regulatory agencies, infection control policies, and process improvement initiatives.
Undergo orientation and training on the use of all equipment available for patient care and the supply ordering process.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Perform all other duties as assigned.