Job Description

Essential Functions:
• Assesses clinical,
emotional, and educational health needs of patients prior to surgery  and
ensures patient's health is appropriately managed prior to surgery.
•
Performs specialized pre-operative assessments including but not limited to EKG
interpretation, laboratory evaluations and radiological assessments. 
•
Educates and instructs the surgical patient, through phone and/or personal
interview, utilizing knowledge of surgical procedures and effects of anesthetic
agents and completes appropriate forms for charts.
• In collaboration with
physician, plans care and assures appropriate follow-up of issues identified in
the pre-operative evaluation.
• Acts as liaison between Anesthesiologist,
Primary Care Physician and Surgeon to coordinate care and provide
continuity.
• Facilitates referrals to appropriate providers both internally
and externally.
• Acts as liaison with external hospitals to provide and
request information as needed.
• Order medication as appropriate.
•
Participates in patient education activities.
• Participates in orientation,
education, and evaluation of nursing and support staff.
• Collaborates with
physicians in developing and periodically reviewing protocols relevant to
department functioning.
• Participates in planning for team functioning in
delivering the total range of health services.
• Participates in monitoring
quality of care according to professional standards and established
criteria.
• Maintains accurate records of care and assures
confidentiality.
• Maintains clinical competence via education.
• Carries
out clinical and administrative procedures that may be promulgated by the Health
Plan.