GENERAL SUMMARY:

Provides perioperative patient care, specifically in the intraoperative phase, in both the scrub and circulating roles according to established guidelines. Serves the population from neonate, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric.

CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT:

It is the obligation of each employee of Mercy Medical Center to abide by and promote the mission and core values of the Spirit of Mercy.

CORPORATE POLICY STATEMENT:

It is the obligation of each employee of Mercy Medical Center to comply with Mercy’s mission, values, standards of conduct, policies, procedures and related practices.

HIPAA SECURITY COMPLIANCE: Security Access: High “Incumbent has access to restricted or confidential patient information and must comply with the terms of the Mercy Medical Center Security Policies as it applies to their job role.”

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Scrubs and circulates on cases independently, with minimal direction.

· Prepares for surgical cases in an efficient manner, anticipating needs of patient, surgeon, anesthesia and other O.R. team members.

· Provides a safe environment for patient and staff by implementing standards of aseptic technique and by controlling the physical and psychological aspects of that environment.

· Collects and analyzes data and assesses patient in developing nursing diagnosis.

· Communicates effectively with the patient, staff, physicians, and families.

· Maintains knowledge of equipment set-up and function.

· Initiates and directs room clean up and turnover.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

· Participates in orientation and training of new personnel.

· Assists in maintenance of physician's preference cards and other O.R. resource material.

· Utilizes computer in surgical documentation, disposition of specimens and obtaining pertinent information.

· Participates in departmental Performance Improvement activities as appropriate.

· Attends department meetings and inservices.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

· Possession of a current or compact state license as a Registered Nurse issued/defined by the State of Iowa.

· Operating Room experience preferred.

· Basic Life Support certified within six (6) weeks of hire. The acceptable credentialing body is the American Heart Association.

· Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within three (3) months of hire.

· Ability to read, write and speak English language.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS: (Constant 67-100% of workday, Frequent = 34-66% of workday, Occasional = 33% or less of workday)

CONSTANT

· Talking and hearing: to exchange information and ideas by means of spoken word, both by phone and in person.

· Standing: while functioning in the scrub role.

· Walking: usually at average speed, but occasionally faster, when obtaining supplies, etc.

FREQUENT

· Lifting: while moving patients, supplies, equipment, etc.

· Kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching: while performing perioperative duties (retrieving supplies, counting sponges, changing suction canisters, etc.)

· Grasping: while handling surgical instruments.

· Fingering: working primarily with fingers including sutures, needles, etc.

· Pushing and pulling: while moving patients, equipment.

· Climbing: while using stairway between locker area and the O.R. and between Inventory Control and the O.R.

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

If a patient is unable to function independently, a mechanical/assistive device and/or additional personnel must be utilized. If an object requires lifting > 50 lbs., additional equipment/personnel must also be utilized.

Heavy work: Exerting up to 65 lbs. push/pull (force to move frequently, and lifting up to 50 lbs. occasionally, and lifting up to 40 lbs. frequently, and lifting up to 20 lbs. constantly, to move patient and/or objects.

VISUAL ACUITY REQUIREMENTS:

· Preparing and reading written and electronic documentation

· Working with small sutures, needles, etc.

· Good hand-eye coordination.

· Peripheral vision.

· Ability to work with a microscope.

· Subject to extremes in lighting.

INTELLECTUAL/EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

· Ability to maintain a high standard of courtesy and cooperation in dealing with co-workers, patients and visitors, and perform job functions satisfactorily despite the stress of a hospital work environment.

· Adaptability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another without loss of composure or efficiency.

· Ability to perform in situations requiring set limits, standards and strict adherence to established procedures and guidelines.

· Ability to perform under stress when confronted with emergency, critical or unusual situations.

· Ability to take direction but also to work independently when appropriate.

· Adaptability to situations involving the interpretation of feelings, ideas, or facts in terms of personal viewpoint.

· Ability to influence people in their opinion, attitudes or judgments about ideas or things.

· Ability to make generalizations, evaluations or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria.

· Ability to make generalizations, evaluations or decisions based on measurable or verifiable criteria.

· Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.

· Ability to accept responsibility for the direction, control or planning of an activity.

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS:

· Standard medical and nursing equipment, special equipment or office equipment found in the assigned area.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Employees in this job classification have been identified as having the likelihood of occupation exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials and, therefore, are included in the OSHA Exposure Control Plan with all its specifications for preventing contact with the above materials.

· The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions.

· The worker is subject to noise from various types of surgical equipment

· The worker is subject to vibration, (example: from drills, saws, etc.)

· The worker is subject to hazards from electrical equipment, mechanical parts, lasers, etc.

· The worker is subject to gases and fumes (example: bone cement).

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

· Reports to Team Lead or Manager.