Registered Nurse (RN)- Operating Room

This position is a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Operating Room, where you will provide comprehensive nursing care to patients using the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. You will collaborate with physicians and other healthcare team members to coordinate and implement surgical procedures and treatments, using clinical judgment and leadership skills to direct patient care activities.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients' physiologic health status, including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurological systems; determine mobility, sensory deficits, and skin condition; assess pain levels and management needs
• Conduct patient interviews, explain policies and procedures to patients and significant others, review patient charts, and answer questions courteously
• Assess patients' psychosocial health status, including coping mechanisms, knowledge level, cultural and ethnic requirements, and identify needs for counseling or social services
• Identify patient outcomes and develop criteria for measurement; identify actual and potential patient problems; develop individualized patient goals and teaching needs
• Formulate plans of care with appropriate priorities; coordinate cost-effective use of supplies, equipment, and medications; collaborate with physicians and healthcare team members
• Implement plans of care by maintaining constant vigilance over patient safety; exercise professional skills; reassess and revise care plans as needed
• Correctly administer prescribed treatments and medications; correctly use equipment necessary for patient care
• Provide emotional support to patients and significant others; apply scientific principles in performing procedures safely, timely, and efficiently
• Make accurate observations of patient conditions during treatments and procedures; report and record findings appropriately
• Maintain accurate documentation of patient treatment, activity, condition, and responses to medical and nursing interventions according to departmental policy
• Act rapidly and effectively during emergency situations; manage self, patients, and other employees
• Provide a calm, quiet, restful atmosphere; communicate effectively with patients' families and caretakers
• Participate in discharge planning and coordinate referrals; provide discharge instructions to patients and significant others
• Evaluate care provided and measure effectiveness of interventions; perform variance analysis for performance improvement
• Design, implement, and evaluate systems to improve care in the unit
• Collaborate with physicians on patients' plans of care; accurately interpret and implement prescribed treatment regimens
• Assist physicians during treatments and diagnostic procedures; keep care managers and physicians informed of changes in patient condition or treatment
• Use clinical judgment in delegating assignments to patient care associates and support staff; ensure assignments are completed timely
• Perform preventive skin care measures and decubitus care (grades I-IV); apply simple dressings using aseptic technique; apply warm and cold compresses; perform irrigations as per facility procedure
• Correctly identify medications including action, dosage, and side effects; meet standards on medication administration examinations
• Prepare local solutions and intravenous drips; administer and document medications correctly; administer IVP medications per department policy
• Educate patients and significant others regarding drug and food interactions
• Provide patient and family education; communicate assessment data in an orderly fashion; utilize health teaching opportunities and available resources
• Perform related duties as required

Physical Demands

• Constant: standing, walking, stooping, bending, stretching, lifting, pulling, pushing, and turning
• Frequent: lifting objects from 10 to 150 pounds; pushing objects up to 200 pounds
• Occasional: sitting; lifting with assistance objects greater than 150 pounds; carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds

Required Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing
• Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
• BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification

Education Requirements

If hired after September 1, 2010, you must be enrolled in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program within 24 months of employment and obtain a BSN degree within five years of employment.

Additional site-specific qualifications may apply.