Registered Nurse - Surgical Services

Graham Regional Medical Center•Graham, TX

20h•Onsite

About The Position

A Registered Nurse with basic knowledge of perioperative patient care. Coordinates and initiates patient care within the operating room. Acts as a patient advocate during the perioperative process to promote safety and the highest quality of care. Provides direction for other members of the surgical team, sterile and non-sterile. Provides direct patient care and educates patients and family members as needed.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing required
Valid RN license in Texas
BLS/ACLS required
One year nursing experience preferred
4-6 weeks preceptor training required
Must be committed to quality and patient safety at all times.
Excellent command / highly proficient in spoken and written English
Basic computer skills, including but not limited to: Microsoft Office, electronic medical documentation, and email.
Must be effective at adjusting to change, prioritizing duties, handling stress and effectively communicating face-to-face and/or over the telephone.
Must be able to work independently, and flexibly, and as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
Must be able to manage several interruptions throughout the shift.
Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
Must have strong time management skills.
Must be able to work under pressure while interacting in a helpful, courteous manner with a high degree of patient contact.
Sufficient hearing, vision and dexterity to perform duties safely.
Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor degree in nursing preferred
Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Responsibilities

Safely transporting patients to the operating room.
Checking the chart prior to procedure to verify that proper documentation is on the chart and that abnormal diagnostic studies are addressed prior to the transfer of patient to the OR.
Working closely with the ASU in assuring that prophylactic antibiotics are appropriate for the procedure, and administered timely via the proper route.
Monitoring compliance with core measures.
Verifying integrity of sterile packages and verifying expiration dates of all items introduced into the sterile field.
Opening sterile instrument packs, drapes, solutions, and supplies while maintaining sterility during transfer into the sterile field.
Coordinating personnel within the operating suite verifying that the surgeon, anesthesia provider, and other team members are present.
Standing by the patient during the induction of anesthesia to promote safety of the patient and assist the anesthetist if needed.
Properly connecting sterile devices and equipment from sterile field to non-sterile sources (suction, bovie, camera, light, etc.).
Safely handling and preparing medications used in the sterile field.
Identifying, preparing, and passing suture to surgeon when needed.
Participating in counting of sponges, needles, and instruments according to departmental policy.
Recognizing and verbalizing breaks in sterile technique by self and others.
Helping prepare the Operating suites and readying equipment for procedures, including housekeeping needs, instruments, and equipment when needed.
Properly caring for tissue specimens, including packaging.
Applying sterile dressings at the end of procedure without contamination of the dressing or the operative site.
Properly prepping the operative site prior to incision.
Counting sponges and sharps with the scrub member per policy.
Assisting with daily housekeeping duties within the surgical department as needed (including break room, sterile supply, endoscopy, scrub areas, anesthesia room, etc.).
Initiating timeouts prior to procedure to avoid wrong site surgery.
Keeping an ongoing assessment of supplies needed versus supplies in the room.
Remaining in the operating room at all times unless relieved by another RN.
Dispensing medications needed on the back table, checking labels for correct medication and expiration dates.
Communicating procedure status when necessary to the ASU to facilitate coordination of procedures and to update family members.
Preparing specimens to be sent to that lab (enter in log book, verify proper packaging).
Assisting the anesthetist post-operatively during emergence from anesthesia and standing by the patient to promote safety.
Accompanying the patient and anesthetist to the PACU and giving appropriate report to the receiving nurse.
Assisting staff in the cleaning and preparation of the operating room for subsequent procedures.
Checking narcotic sheet against stock per policy to be sure all narcotics have been signed for.
Entering charges from the procedure and medications/drugs used into the computer in a timely manner to assure proper capturing of charges.
Participating in annual peer competency review process.
Providing exemplary customer service.
Maintaining confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA.
Cooperating with other personnel to achieve departmental objectives and maintain good employee relations, inter-departmental objectives and infection control policies.
Cordially demonstrating timeliness and professionalism in appearance, communications, and actions during all interactions and with all individuals and entities.
Solving practical problems, dealing with a variety of issues, and interpreting a variety of instructions furnished in written and oral form.
Attending meetings as required.
Performing other duties as requested or assigned.