Pre-Admission Testing Registered Nurse (RN) - Operating Room , Per Diem

Dartmouth Health•New London, NH

About The Position

The Pre-Admission Testing Registered Nurse ensures preoperative optimization, including patient education, for patients undergoing surgical and endoscopic procedures. The nurse works closely with key stakeholders to coordinate patients’ perioperative needs. The role includes reviewing records and test results, interviewing patients, identifying barriers to optimization and safety, providing individualized preoperative education, coordinating with care teams and providers, and documenting relevant information and education in the medical record. The nurse may also assist the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) as case load indicates, within the level of training.

Requirements

Two years of relevant clinical practice.
Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
Licensed RN with New Hampshire eligibility.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Basic computer skills in an Electronic Medical Record.

Responsibilities

Monitor patient medical records and preoperative testing results; use professional nursing judgment to identify and address barriers to optimization.
Review clinical factors, medical history, and relevant patient information accurately and comprehensively.
Interview surgical and endoscopy patients, collecting and analyzing clinical and psychosocial data and identifying problems or patterns that could affect procedural optimization.
Assess clinical and psychological needs to promote and maintain patient safety before surgery or a procedure.
Use clinical knowledge and perioperative protocols to optimize patients before admission and help prevent cancellations and delays.
Provide individualized preoperative education, identify patient knowledge deficits, and give additional information as needed.
Understand the operative procedure, required patient preparations, and expected postoperative course.
Share relevant chart-review and interview information with the care team, including information affecting perioperative risk and safe discharge.
Work independently and effectively as a member of the health care team, and support positive changes and initiatives that improve patient outcomes.
Assist the PACU as case load indicates, within the level of training.
Participate in departmental quality assessment and improvement plans.
Communicate professionally by phone and email; contact appropriate providers to support patient optimization for surgery and anesthesia.
Communicate outstanding preoperative clearance requirements to appropriate members of the surgical team.
Comply with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, regulations, and standards; attend and participate in hospital and department meetings.
Meet or exceed New London Hospital employment performance standards.
Educate patients about the perioperative process, including preparation, day-of-surgery requirements, and discharge planning.
Maintain current professional education appropriate to perioperative services.
Document relevant health-interview data and all instructions and education provided in patients’ medical records.