Registered Nurse - PRN Surgical services

Graham Regional Medical Center•Graham, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

A Registered Nurse with basic knowledge of perioperative patient care who coordinates and initiates care within the operating room. The nurse advocates for patients throughout the perioperative process to promote safety and high-quality care, directs sterile and non-sterile members of the surgical team, provides direct patient care, and educates patients and family members as needed. The role primarily interacts with administration, physicians, employees, clinical and non-clinical departments, patients, visitors, and volunteers. The nurse prepares for and supports surgical procedures, monitors patient safety, maintains sterile technique, handles supplies and medications, and coordinates care before, during, and after surgery. The position also includes documentation and charge entry, housekeeping and room preparation, compliance with infection control and HIPAA, customer service, participation in competency reviews and meetings, and other assigned duties. Employees are expected to maintain a clean and safe work environment, use equipment safely, follow the assigned schedule, and provide individualized care that respects patients’ and families’ differences.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing required.
Valid Texas RN license.
BLS and ACLS required.
Four to six weeks of preceptor training required.
Must be committed to quality and patient safety.
Highly proficient spoken and written English; basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office, electronic medical documentation, and email.
Must adjust to change, prioritize duties, handle stress, communicate effectively in person and by telephone, work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, and manage interruptions.
Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication, and time-management skills.
Must work under pressure while interacting helpfully and courteously with a high degree of patient contact.
Sufficient hearing, vision, and dexterity to perform duties safely.
Physical activities include walking and standing up to 80% of the time; wrist and finger movements up to 90%; squatting up to 40%; kneeling, bending, and reaching up to 50%; pushing and pulling up to 25%; sitting up to 20%; lifting up to 50 pounds up to 25%; and climbing up to 1%.
Moderate-to-high stress level.
Must perform duties involving potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues and use appropriate protective measures.
Must maintain certifications and licensure and complete required orientation and safety training.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.
One year of nursing experience preferred.
Bilingual Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Safely transport patients to the operating room and review charts to verify required documentation and that abnormal diagnostic studies are addressed before transfer.
Coordinate with the ASU to ensure prophylactic antibiotics are appropriate for the procedure and administered on time by the proper route; monitor compliance with core measures.
Verify sterile package integrity and expiration dates; open and transfer sterile supplies while maintaining sterility.
Coordinate operating-suite personnel and verify the surgeon, anesthesia provider, and other team members are present.
Remain with the patient during anesthesia induction, assist the anesthetist as needed, and promote patient safety.
Connect sterile devices and equipment to non-sterile sources, including suction, bovie, camera, and light equipment.
Safely handle and prepare medications used in the sterile field; dispense medications to the back table and verify medication labels and expiration dates.
Identify, prepare, and pass sutures to the surgeon as needed.
Participate in counts of sponges, needles, sharps, and instruments according to policy, and identify and verbalize breaks in sterile technique.
Prepare operating suites and equipment for procedures, including instruments, housekeeping needs, and supplies; assist with department housekeeping as needed.
Prepare the operative site and apply sterile dressings without contaminating the dressing or operative site.
Care for, package, and prepare tissue specimens for the laboratory, including entering information in the log book and verifying packaging.
Initiate procedure timeouts to prevent wrong-site surgery and monitor supplies needed versus supplies in the room.
Remain in the operating room unless relieved by another RN.
Communicate procedure status to the ASU as needed to coordinate procedures and update family members.
Assist the anesthetist during emergence from anesthesia, accompany the patient and anesthetist to the PACU, and report to the receiving nurse.
Assist staff in cleaning and preparing the operating room for subsequent procedures.
Reconcile the narcotic sheet against stock and ensure narcotics have been signed for according to policy.
Enter procedure and medication/drug charges into the computer promptly to ensure accurate charge capture.
Participate in the annual peer competency review process and attend meetings as required.
Provide exemplary customer service; maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA.
Cooperate with personnel to achieve departmental objectives, maintain good employee relations, support interdepartmental objectives, and follow infection control policies.
Demonstrate timeliness and professionalism in appearance, communications, and actions; solve practical problems and interpret written and oral instructions.
Perform other duties as requested or assigned.
Maintain a clean and safe work environment, follow established infection control procedures, use equipment safely, adhere to the assigned schedule, and comply with the Code of Conduct.
Recognize and incorporate patients’ and families’ cultural, spiritual, gender, racial, ethnic, lifestyle, socioeconomic, age, and value differences into individualized care or action plans.