Surgical Nurse Liaison or Surgical LPN Liaison - Surgery Administration - FT - Day

Stormont Vail Health•Topeka, KS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Nurse Liaison manages communication to the Surgery patient's family/SO during the time of their care in Pre Op, the Surgical suite, and PACU. The RN relays messages between the staff and the family throughout all phases of the perioperative period. Information, general in nature, is given to designated family/SO members regarding the status of the patient. The information given is gathered by making rounds into the respective areas of care delivery. In the event of an adverse patient outcome, the RN can utilize additional ancillary departments such as Social Services and the Chaplaincy. The delivery of professional nursing care at Stormont Vail Health is guided by Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring and the theory of Shared governance, both of which are congruent with the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Registered Nurse - KSBN A multistate license with the ability to practice in the state of Kansas is also accepted.
Basic Life Support - BLS Required within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

1 year Experience in the operating room.

Responsibilities

Initially visits with the patients in Pre Op and introduces self. Inquires “who” is allowed to receive information and instructs the family and visitors to check in at the Volunteer desk in the waiting room.
Reviews the tracking board and the pager system and informs them what to expect post-op for PACU time and the room number thereafter.
Hands family/visitor information card with loved ones’ case ID number for use on tracking board in the Surgery Waiting Room.
Conducts rounds within the surgical suites and notes start times. Gathers information from Anesthesia, Circulating RN, and Surgeon. Estimates amount of time the patient will be in the OR and their arrival to PACU. This information is relayed back to the family in the waiting room.
Once the patient arrives in PACU, the “in time” is noted and where the patient will be transferred to post operatively. Specific information is not given by the Nurse Liaison- the Surgeon will discuss this with them in the designated conference room. If the patient is in PACU for over 1 hour, the Liaison will receive an update on the patient’s progress from the RN.
Conducts rounds on the hour in the surgical waiting room and visits with each person or group. Confirms the patient’s last name and the Surgeon. Communicates hourly with the Volunteer posted at the desk. Informs them of schedule updates, if there is no one waiting, assists with the tracking board information, or if family have left or returned.
Prints the daily Surgery schedule and logs into Vocera Nurse Liaison role. Notes “add-on” procedures and cancellations from the master schedule, and the room the patient is located in POS, PACU, or Critical Care Confirms when no family is present and communicates to staff. The patient is asked if it is allowable to give information if someone would inquire.
Once the patient arrives in PACU, the “in time” is noted and where the patient will be transferred to post operatively. Specific information is not given by the Nurse Liaison- the Surgeon will discuss this with them in the designated conference room. If the patient is in PACU for over 1 hour, the Liaison will receive an update on the patient’s progress from the RN.
The Nurse Liaison staffs the Volunteer desk after 4:30 pm and continues with hourly rounds. Phone calls concerning patient inquiry from the outside will be routed to the Nurse Liaison. Family can communicate via the Nurse Liaison phone. If no one is present, refers to the schedule for approved persons allowed to receive information.
On procedures that are lengthy, in example Heart surgery, the Circulating RN will call the family from the OR with a report. The Circulator is given the phone number where the family is located. Informs the patient and family of delays in start time in collaboration with the Pre Op and Circulating RNs. Acts as an informant between Pre Op, Surgery, and PACU staff with scheduling information.
Demonstrates knowledge of the Kansas State Nurse Practice Act and follows the statutes and regulations therein.
Complies with all policies, standards, mandatory training and requirements of Stormont Vail Health
Performs other duties as assigned