Perioperative Nursing- Operating Room - North Country Hospital

Statement of Purpose – Staff Nurse

The RN II, in addition to all RN I functions, duties and responsibilities, collaborates with otherhealthcare providers in overseeing an ongoing comprehensive plan of care for a complex patientor groups of patient. Anticipates consequences of altered physiologic homeostasis and utilizesadvanced skills to initiate early interventions. Participates in identifying, planning andimplementing changes to improve unit operations and patient care outcomes. Qualified tofunction in the role of preceptor. Assumes responsibility for continued professional developmentand shares knowledge with others. May apply for Clinical Ladder. See Clinical Ladderguidelines for levels.

Statement of Purpose-OR

In addition to the staff nurse job description, the nurse will oversee and coordinate the care givento the patient in the Perioperative phase of the patient’s care. The nurse is to serve as a patientadvocate.

Essential Functions, Responsibilities, and Duties

• Establishes and maintains interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, physicians,coworkers, and other hospital personnel, while assuring confidentiality of patient information.
• Follows the Surgical policies and procedures, which are based on the AORN Standards of Care.
• In assessing the patient and their needs, the nurse is to do Preoperative teaching ascertaining that tthe patient or/and their representative is orientated to the routines of surgery. Identify the patientand their surgery site comparing it to their consent, and the schedule.
• From the patient’s assessment, obtains the necessary supplies and equipment for the assignedcase from the patient’s needs and physician’s preference cards. Helps set up sterile tables,instruments, and supplies required for the specific surgery. Checks equipment as needed.
• Assists in the transportation and transfer of the patient unto the OR table. After surgery, helpstransfer the patient to the stretcher or bed, to PACU.
• Assists the Anesthesiologist with Anesthesia induction. Does RN monitoring – IV consciencesedation, attending annual training with the department.
• Assists in the preparation, positioning, and draping of the patient and the operative area.
• Specimens- careful management of specimens including asking source of tissue, gentle handlingof tissue, properly labeling of the tissue with the patient’s label and source and side ifappropriate. In general follow the tissue procedure.
• May function as assigned as a first or second scrub. May assist in Pain Treatment Center, pre-opassessment or PACU as assigned.
• Over sees the maintenance of the sterile field, tries to anticipate the surgeon, the anesthesiologistand the scrubs needs, does counts with the scrub according to the Policies and Procedures.
• May discharge patients with discharge instructions including any teaching, prescriptions andreferrals as needed, for those patients requiring no PACU stay (local only procedures).

Job Requirements

Education: Graduate of nursing program: diploma, associate degree, or baccalaureate program. BSN preferred.

ACLS within 1st year of hire, PALS within 2nd year. Once eligible, certification in specialty area.