Pre-Admission Testing RN - Operating Room, Per Diem

Dartmouth Health•New London, NH

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pre-Admission Testing Registered Nurse is responsible for ensuring preoperative optimization, including patient education, for patients undergoing surgical and endoscopic procedures. The nurse works closely with key stakeholders to coordinate patients’ perioperative needs.

Requirements

2 years relevant clinical practice
Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
Licensed RN with NH eligibility
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Responsibilities

Monitor patient medical records for preoperative testing results and exercise professional nursing judgment to identify and address barriers to optimization for surgical, diagnostic, invasive, noninvasive and other special procedures.
Perform accurate and comprehensive review of clinical factors, past medical history, and relevant information.
Use effective interviewing skills to perform patient health interviews with surgical and endoscopy patients by collecting and analyzing clinical and psychosocial data, identifying problems and health patterns/trends which may directly affect optimization for surgical/endoscopy procedures.
Promote and maintain patient safety by assessing clinical and psychological needs in preparation for the day of surgery/procedure.
Utilize clinical knowledge to ensure optimization of patients scheduled for surgery prior to their admission date to prevent surgery cancellations and delays.
Utilize clinical knowledge and established perioperative protocols (surgical and anesthetic) to provide patients with individualized preoperative education.
Demonstrate the ability to identify areas of knowledge deficit and provide additional needed information to the patient.
Possess adequate understanding of operative procedures, required patient preparations, and expected post-operative course.
Bring pertinent information obtained during chart review and patient interview to the care team.
Alert the team to pertinent information that would affect patients’ perioperative risk and areas that are a risk for a safe discharge.
Demonstrate ability to work both independently and as an effective member of the health care team.
Take an active role in strengthening the climate for acceptance of positive change and initiatives that improve patient care outcomes.
Provide assistance to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) as case load indicates to the level of training.
Participate in quality assessment and improvement plans as outlined by the department.
Demonstrate effective and proper phone and email etiquette.
Communicate with appropriate providers when indicated to ensure patients are optimized for surgical procedure and anesthesia administration.
Communicate outstanding preoperative clearance requirements with appropriate members of the surgical team.
Comply with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, regulations, and standards.
Attend and participate in hospital/department meetings.
Meet or exceed the standards of performance as established for employment at New London Hospital.
Educate patients about the perioperative process, including but not limited to, patient preparation, day of surgery requirements, and discharge planning.
Maintain current professional education appropriate to perioperative services.
Document in patients’ medical record all relevant data obtained during the health interview and all instructions/education provided.
Demonstrate basic computer skills in an Electronic Medical Record.