POSITION SUMMARY

The peri-anesthesia nurse is responsible for patient assessment, care, and teaching in preoperative and postoperative units. As a nursing professional, uses the nursing process to care for patients.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

1. Reports directly to the Director of Clinical Services.

2. Responsible for Medical Assistants assigned to patient care.

3. Indirectly reports to the Center Director

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

1. Collaborates with other nursing staff in the pre-op, intra-op, and post-op areas as well as with ancillary staff such as but not limited to radiological technologist and medical assistant to provide safe, efficient patient care.

2. Collaborates with business office staff to efficiently admit patients.

3. May be a member of facility committees to assess and promote quality patient care.

4. Works cooperatively with all physicians utilizing the facility. Promotes positive relations with physicians and their office staff.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Responsible for admitting and preparing patients for surgery and/or procedures

¨ Assures patient comprehension of the procedure. This may include communication with family or support persons of the patient.

¨ Co-ordinates with business office staff for maintaining an efficient patient flow.

¨ Provides information and education to the patient.

¨ Completes nursing assessment and documentation

¨ Starts IV treatments as necessary.

2. Responsible for the professional post-operative nursing care of the patient by utilizing the nursing care process and making a plan for patient care. Co-ordinates care with other disciplines involved in patient care.

¨ Assesses the patient’s recovering for sedation and/or anesthesia and makes appropriate judgments for nursing intervention. Recognizes life threatening arrhythmias and initiates appropriate therapy and/or assures assistance.

¨ Monitors the patient’s level of consciousness through communication and appropriate observation of blood pressure, O2 saturation, cardiac and respiratory status.

¨ Performs venipuncture as necessary for IV restarts and administers medications as ordered by a physician.

¨ Prepares patient for discharge with post-operative instruction and teaching; discharges patient per appropriate orders.

3. Makes plan for patient care.

¨ Makes assignments, teaches, and supervises care given by ancillary personnel.

¨ Using professional nursing care assesses the needs and status of the patient.

¨ Administers and controls narcotics and medications as appropriate.

¨ Maintains patient records and charts.

4. Evaluates outcomes and adjusts nursing care process as necessary in consultation with other nursing staff and physicians. Participates in quality improvement activities.

5. Institutes emergency care as appropriate.

6. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Possesses an understanding of the range of treatment needed by patients dependent on the stage of growth and development of an age group’s life span.

7. Participates in staff meetings, committees, staff development and educational programs to meet personal, professional, facility certification and regulatory requirements as defined in Title XXII licensure requirements, Medicare, and the accreditation organization.

8. Accepts responsibility for patient safety and assures safe practice.

9. Demonstrates competency necessary to perform patient care.

10. Participates as a member of the Center team to promote a positive working environment.

11. Adheres to policies and procedures of the facility.

¨ Assists in developing policies and procedures as needed.

12. Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Current and valid license as a registered nurse in the State

2. Three years of clinical experience preferably as a preoperative nurse in an ambulatory surgery facility

3. Bachelor degree in nursing preferred.

4. BCLS required (Renewed every two years.)

5. ACLS Certification required

6. IV therapy and experience.

7. Ability to communicate well with other healthcare professionals as well as with lay persons.

PHYSICAL REQUIEMENTS

1. Must exhibit desirable trunk and extremity mobility and strength to perform job duties.

2. Must be able to lift a minimum of 35 pounds safely.

3. Must be able to push gurneys with patient up to 400 pounds (2 people pushing gurney)

4. Push wheelchair up to 400 pounds

5. Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, reach overhead, and assist with physically transferring patients from gurneys to OR tables and wheelchairs and from wheelchairs to personal transportation

6. Must be able to see, hear and speak English.

7. Must be able to sit, stand and walk for long periods.

8. Must be able to wear a lead apron.