OR Nurse

SUMMARY: Responsible for assessing, planning, and implementing the nursing care patients receive before, during and after surgery within the scope of practice as determined by the board of nursing in the state of Texas.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITY:

• At the beginning of each surgery day, check oxygen cylinders and other essential equipment.
• Verifies the patient’s identity and necessary consent forms.
• Implements the plan of care by: Protecting the patient from injury by performing an individualized risk assessment; Performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level; Communicating the patient’s status to the appropriate parties throughout the continuum of care
• Prepares patient for procedure by doing pre-op check list, pre-op vitals, assists anesthesiologist in starting I.V. and gives pre-op meds and brings patients to O.R. and connects patient to EKG monitor, BP monitor, pulse oximeter and applies cautery grounding pad if needed.
• Administering and preparing medications safely and correctly;
• Nurse is responsible for helping to relieve patient’s apprehension before and during administration of I.V. sedation or anesthesia.
• Is to remain at patient’s side during induction of anesthesia and assists anesthesiologist or anesthetist when requested.
• Surgical Prep of the Area
• Makes available instruments and supplies needed during the operation.
• Performing interventions to maintain the patient’s vital signs and respiratory status at or above baseline levels;
• Performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection;
• Protect sedated and anesthetized patients by identifying safety hazards such as electrical, equipment, pressure points and by minimizing exposure to maintain privacy and body temperature.
• Expertise in safety principles, asepsis, sterile technique and universal precautions.
• During local or I.V. sedation cases, records vital signs.
• Counts sponges and needles and documents the count.

• Observing the patient throughout, recording significant conditions and reactions, and notifying the physician of patient’s condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.
• Assists in transferring patient back to the Recovery Room.
• Assists clinical staff with post-operative questions from patients.
• Protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+ months recent working experience as a RN in an Operating Room Setting in a circulating capacity (not including clinicals) 
• Current Unencumbered RN license in state of practice.
• Current BLS (ACLS &/or PALS encouraged)
• Valid Identification/Driver’s License

COMPETENCIES:

• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIORNMENT:

• Continually required to stand
• Continually required to walk
• Continually utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read
  technical information, and/or use a keyboard
• Continually required to lift/push/carry items less than up to 25 pounds