Surgery

CASS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER•Harrisonville, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The position assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care for patients assigned to the operating room, recovery room, and outpatient surgery. It also manages supplies and equipment in those areas and provides pre-operative and post-operative education. The role provides care for patients from birth through geriatric age and is formally responsible for providing input into policies related to its purpose and essential responsibilities. It has no formal supervisory responsibilities. Routine decisions include determining whether pre-operative labs and results are sufficient, reviewing the surgical case schedule, and deciding whether patients meet discharge criteria from PACU/ASU. The work involves risk of blood and body-fluid contamination. The role conducts patient interviews and assessments, develops and revises plans of care, monitors and documents patient status, reports critical findings, manages pain, and provides education. It helps maintain a safe environment by preparing patients and rooms, managing instruments and specimens, checking equipment and emergency carts, and ensuring supplies and equipment are ready for procedures. The position also supports departmental initiatives and effective working relationships. The position requires a two- to four-year RN degree, current Missouri licensure, and ACLS/BLS. PALS is preferred. Required knowledge includes anatomy and physiology, disease processes, sterile technique, AORN standards, and the operation of multiple types of operating-room equipment. Computer, communication, and organizational skills are required. The job is part-time, day shift, at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, Missouri. Heavy work is required, including lifting up to 100 pounds and frequently lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds. The work is primarily indoors and may involve wet conditions, noise and vibration, hazards, fumes, and odors.

Requirements

Two- to four-year RN degree.
Currently licensed in the state of Missouri.
ACLS and BLS certification required.
Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, disease processes, sterile technique, AORN standards, and the functions and mechanisms of multiple operating-room equipment.
Computer skills.
Good communication skills.
Good organizational skills.
Ability to perform heavy work, including lifting up to 100 pounds and frequently lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

PALS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for patients receiving high-risk specialty procedures.
Conduct pre-procedure interviews, perform and document comprehensive nursing assessments, identify patients using two identifiers, and revise plans of care as indicated.
Interpret physiological information from technical equipment, report critical abnormal assessments and lab values to physicians, implement further orders, and document actions.
Assess and reassess pain, use appropriate pain-management techniques, and educate patients and families about pain management.
Provide pre-operative and post-operative teaching, evaluate learning ability and motivation, use alternative learning methods as needed, and communicate discharge instructions.
Explain procedures and medications to patients before implementation and use AIDET initiatives in patient interactions.
Maintain a safe and comfortable environment by removing malfunctioning equipment, completing repair requisitions, cleaning and stocking supplies, and communicating plans of care to relevant departments and staff.
Ensure required documentation is present before procedures, evaluate patient preparedness, and notify the performing physician when appropriate.
Know the location, care, and operation of departmental equipment; accurately record, handle, and label specimens; and ensure alarms are audible.
Assist with surgical instrument cleaning and care, terminally clean operating rooms, and document cleaning activities.
Position patients safely for surgery, pad bony prominences, apply cautery pads and safety belts, and document these actions.
Check code blue carts each shift and after use, ensuring an intact tag is attached.
When assigned as scrub nurse, manage instruments before, during, and after surgery, including transport to decontamination; follow sterilization-equipment instructions and biological/chemical monitoring requirements.
Prepare supplies for the next day's cases, order special equipment, and update physician preference cards.
Maintain effective communication and working relationships, promote productivity, participate in departmental problem-solving and improvement, and represent the organization professionally.
Perform other duties as directed.