RN FIRST ASSIST

NAVAJO HEALTH FOUNDATION - SAGE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, INC.•Ganado, AZ

15h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Surgery Department of the Sage Memorial Hospital (SMH). The incumbent is an advanced perioperative nurse who works directly under the surgeon to provide primary assistance during surgical procedures, including tissue handling, hemostasis, suturing, wound closure, and the use of instruments. The incumbent conducts preoperative and postoperative assessments to optimize patient outcomes. Assignments also include providing consultations to others in the same or other specialties. Assignments may include various work shifts on nights, weekends, and holidays in addition to normal daytime work hours. This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Requirements

Must possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN).
Must possess and maintain a current, unrestricted nursing license from the State of Arizona or another compact licensing state.
Completion of an accredited RNFA program that meets Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) standards.
CNOR (Certified Perioperative Nurse) certification is required.
Must possess two (2) or more years of perioperative nursing experience.
Must possess and maintain a current BLS and ACLS certification.
Must be able to successfully pass the Employee Health Program requirements and background investigation.
Expert knowledge of professional nursing policies and procedures related to the preoperative care of surgical patients.
Mastery of nurse perioperative skills and ability to apply a professional advanced working knowledge of perioperative nursing practices and procedures, principles, theories, and concepts, including techniques of physical and emotional assessment; implementation of care and evaluation of results.
Must possess technical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills relevant to the role in order to effectively communicate with physicians, health team members, patients, and families, and to safely and efficiently treat patients.
Knowledge of proper use of clinical instruments and equipment.
Knowledge of appropriate procedures and standards for administering of medications and patient care.
Ability to prioritize work with minimal supervision, in order to independently carry out duties of the position.
Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
Ability to work effectively with individuals and demonstrate team-building skills with empathy and enthusiasm.
Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to demonstrate excellence and continually seek improvement in outcomes.
Ability to interpret applicable tribal, federal, and state laws, regulations, and requirements pertaining to the practice of Nursing.
Ability to interpret TJC, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Arizona Department of Health (ADOH) regulations.
Skill in operating business computers, software, and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
Ability to apply critical thinking skills, analyze problems, project consequences, identify solutions, and implement recommendations.
Must maintain current licenses and certifications.
Must possess excellent attention to detail.
Must be able to communicate professionally and effectively with others.
Must be familiar with medical terminology.
Must exhibit a professional appearance and demeanor.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak the Navajo language and/or familiarity with the Navajo way preferred.

Responsibilities

Intraoperative assistance. Provides surgical site exposure, retracts tissue, clamps/cauterizes blood vessels to control bleeding (hemostasis), and sutures tissue.
Assess the health status of the patient in order to develop an individualized plan of care by collecting, categorizing, and interpreting data (physical and psychosocial) from documented information, observation, patient/family interview, and other health care team members.
Establish and maintain a surgically clean environment to reduce the potential for infection by applying the principles of antisepsis, decontamination, disinfection, sanitation, sterilization, and environmental monitoring.
Establish and maintain a safe environment to protect the patient and the health care team by monitoring the patient (physiologically and psychologically) and the environment and by implementing safety procedures.
Document nursing activities to provide a permanent record, for continuity of care, quality improvement, and professional accountability.
Identify the patient to ensure the patient, procedure, and operative site correspond.
Position the patient to provide access to the operative site while maximizing patient safety and comfort.
Establish and maintain a sterile field to reduce potential for infection by teaching and supervising the application of principles of aseptic technique and continual monitoring of the sterile field.
Assesses Operating Room readiness, table positioning, supplies, supply availability, and equipment readiness for a variety of procedures.
Uses specialized surgical instruments, equipment, and technology skillfully.
Acts as a liaison between the surgeon, OR staff, and family members.
Instruct the patient and family to assist the patient in achieving optimal health status.
Maintains professional knowledge and proficiency in nursing through, but not limited to, continuity of education, professional development, competencies, staff meetings, workshops, etc.
Ensure compliance with the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), the Joint Commission, and facility policies and procedures.
Always abide by SMH personnel policies and procedures.
Maintain knowledge of regulatory agency standards and regulations, including The Joint Commission, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), and other tribal, state, or federal regulatory bodies.
Assure appropriate coordination with other hospital departments when special surgical needs occur.
Performs other duties as assigned.