Operating Room Registered Nurse RN

Job Summary:

The registered nurse is a professional practitioner who assesses patient needs, develops the plan of care, creates nursing diagnoses, implements interventions and evaluates patient care throughout the patient's hospitalization.

Functions and Duties:

• Participates and promotes activities regarding quality improvement, team participation, mandatory in-services, training and departmental unit meetings or other activities as required.
• Assess patient’s needs for Plan of Care to be delivered; creates nursing diagnoses, implements interventions and evaluates patient care during patient’s hospital stay.
• Attains assessment data from patient and/or family, determines and documents patient’s priority of care based on assessment findings and recognizes and interprets the subtle cues of deterioration and anticipates any necessary interventions. 
• Functions as patient advocate by collaborating with physicians, communicating patient needs and wishes to physician and/or other members of the healthcare team and communicates Plan of Care to patient and family.
• Communicates effectively with physicians, nurse managers, house supervisors, coworkers, patients and families on a need-to-know basis.
• Coordinates and initiates teaching based on identified learning needs of the patient, family members and significant other.
• Documents patient care, interventions and responses/actions in the patient’s chart with accuracy, timeliness and legibility for continuity of care.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient’s safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain utilizing pain management techniques and educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Implements Plan of Care and additional supportive measures to promote comfort, psychological stability and emotional well being using a multidisciplinary approach.
• Actively participates in time-outs prior to invasive procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions and side effects.
• Follows the six (6) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines, spinal and epidural catheters and how to document appropriately.
• Functions within the scope of practice as defined by respective certification/license.
• Ensures Pre-op Checklist is complete (H&P present, informed consent signed, test results present, surgical site identified, etc.) before patient is taken into surgical suite.
• Effectively communicates with the physician in accounting for all sponges, needles and instruments during and after the procedure and documents in the appropriate area.
• Is able to perform all duties of OR circulating nurse, PACU RN, and GI circulating RN.
• Coordinates daily duties of Operating Room team members to assure safe, efficient performance of surgical procedures. 
• Collaborates with Medical, Surgical, and Ancillary staff in regards to surgical procedures, to assure quality, safe, patient care for our surgical patients. 
• Setting up the operating room prior to surgery.
• Stocking surgical supplies.
• Checking surgical machines and equipment.
• Transporting patients to and from surgery.
• Passing instruments to surgeons during surgery.
• Preparing patients for procedures in the surgical suite.
• Performs all other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing required.

Experience

• 2 years OR experience preferred.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations

• Current Registered Nurse licensure in the state of Illinois required.
• CPR certified required.
• ACLS certified required.
• PALS Certified required.
• CNOR preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of surgical procedures required.
• Computer literate. Computer literacy content focuses on computer basics and the use of generic software applications such as word processing, presentation software, and the use of electronic communication such as email. Knowledge and use of EHR (electronic health record).
• Emotional and mental stability needed to maintain a therapeutic relationship with clients, families and health team member.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged, extensive or considerable standing and walking.
• Considerable reaching stooping, bending, kneeling and crouching.
• Pushing, pulling or moving/lifting heavy equipment, supplies and patients.
• Exposure to infections and contagious diseases.
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Handles emergency or crisis situations.
• Pressure due to multiple demands. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Emergency Assistance
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k), with Company Match
• Term Life Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Accident Only Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Sick Days
• Floating Birthday
• Bereavement
• Jury Duty
• Tuition Reimbursement