Registered Nurse - Pre-Admission Testing - Full Time

Hughston Surgical Center•Valdosta, GA

About The Position

The RN provides a critical role for the Pre-Admission Testing team by interviewing elective surgical patients, completing pre-operative teaching, assessing patient preparedness for surgery, and verifying all required consultations and work-up have been completed. The Pre-Admission Testing Department provides care for patients. This process includes an extensive patient assessment and pre-operative education completed by an RN.

Requirements

Minimum of 1 year of medical/surgical nursing experience or Pre/Post Op department experience required.
Georgia RN license in good standing required
BLS, ACLS and PALS required (American Red Cross or American Health Association)

Responsibilities

PATIENT ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING Interviews pre-operative patients and completes the patient assessment
Complete phone interviews
Completes Preadmission section in electronic charts for all scheduled patients
Review patient's medical record in THCs clinic charts
Obtain patients history
Inform Anesthesia of any current issues
Call any specialists the patient may be seeing for all current testing results
Reviews with Anesthesiologist any abnormal testing results and inquires if additional testing is needed.
Verifies all ordered testing is completed and results are on the chart
PATIENT SAFETY Notifies Director of HSC of any changes in the patient's surgical plan, special needs and collaborates with other healthcare providers to effect timely interventions prior to day of surgery
DOCUMENTATION Completes and documents all required information:
Patient assessment
Medication reconciliation
Preferred Pharmacy
Patient education forms
Tobacco cessation form (if applicable)
Authorization to release information form (if applicable)
Completes all other documentation requirements (if applicable)
Height, weight and allergies and reactions
Obstructive sleep apnea screening
VTE screening
PATIENT EDUCATION Assesses and documents the patient/significant other's learning needs
Plans educational activities based on individual's needs
Demonstrates effective teaching skills
Completes all surgeon specific instructions
Review patient's understanding of surgical procedure and answer all questions
Educate patient on the pain scale and documents current pain level if applicable
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Actively pursues appropriate continuing education and certifications.
Attends and actively participates in unit in-services, patient conferences, and/or workshops annually
Attends mandated in-services.
Applies acquired knowledge in patient care practice.
Attends 50% of department staff meetings, and signs minutes of meetings not attended.
Maintains up-to-date BLS, ACLS and PALS certifications.
Completes annual/critical competencies identified for assigned department.
Demonstrates awareness of changes and advances in field.
Takes responsibility for determining learning needs and seeks out opportunities for such
LEADERSHIP/ CREDIBILITY Performs charge duties effectively and independently, when applicable
Makes decisions and solves problems using decisiveness and judgment.
Demonstrates effectiveness of decisions.
Effectively handles crisis situations.
Effectively distinguishes between activities and results; recognizes outcomes
Demonstrates technical skills and knowledge in routine situations and serves as a resource person to support staff, patients and families.
Demonstrates knowledge and technical skills in difficult situations and assists peers, other health care professionals, patients and family.
PROFESSIONAL ROLE MODEL Meets basic professional appearance and behavioral standards; understands and maintains professional boundaries.
Recognized as a professional role model by personnel and managers on assigned unit with active participation in unit activities.
Acts as a mentor or preceptor.
Actively participates in QI activities as evidenced by departmental data collection and active participation in completing monitors, cost containment initiatives, new product/equipment evaluations, and failed equipment reporting.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS Performs duties with minimal personnel or patient conflict documented.
Initiates problem-solving of interdepartmental issues.
REPORTING Accurate, thorough and timely in reporting patient condition to peers, charge nurse, daily nursing supervisor (if applicable) and other health care professionals involved in patient care.
Accurate, thorough and timely in reporting patient condition to physicians
PRODUCTIVITY Utilizes time wisely to revise plans of care, provide for unit equipment organization or maintenance, or other tasks that facilitate unit workflow.
Demonstrates enhanced time management skills as evidenced by completion of assignment in a timely manner and ability to assist others.