Overview

Provides planned, skilled nursing care for patients in the critical preoperative and postoperative periods. Provides continuous patient surveillance for early recognition and immediate emergency treatment of medical or surgical complications that may arise in any preoperative or postoperative patient.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Supports the philosophy, goals and objectives of the Organization.
    • Supports, and performs according to, approved policies and procedures.
    • Participates as a team member in support of the total perioperative process.
    • Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.
  • Contributes to the progress and development of the approved Quality Improvement Program.
    • Supports risk management and participates in programs directed to patient and staff safety.
    • Contributes to the quality management process; identifies role and contributes upon request; participates in data collection activities to support the Quality Improvement Program.
    • Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.
  • Communicates effectively with supervisor/management, patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers.
    • Interactions are respectful and courteous.
    • Communicates effectively and professionally using a translator when necessary.
    • Documents that information received from the patient are disseminated to the appropriate people or departments.
  • Maintains and promotes professional competence through continuing education and other learning experiences.
    • Participates in committees, conferences and quality improvement activities.
    • Submits pertinent articles for review at staff meetings.
    • Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.
    • Objectively evaluates suggestions or criticisms and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance, as needed.
    • Attends and actively participates in meetings, committees and in-services according to job responsibilities and Facility requirements.
    • Assists with orientation and training of new personnel and acts as a resource person for patient care problems.
  • Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.
    • Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards and noncompliance according to Facility policy.
    • Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities; enforces compliance with safety and security policies and procedures.
    • Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure.
  • Interacts appropriately with various age groups.
    • Accurately assesses and interprets age-specific patient data.
    • Accurately interprets age-specific patient responses to questions and instructions.
    • Involves the patient’s family/significant other in decision-making about the patient’s care.
    • Provides care appropriate to the patient’s age group.
    • Accurately applies knowledge of growth and development.
    • Considers age-specific patient requirements when responding to emergency situations.
  • Effectively organizes time, equipment, supplies, and personnel.
    • Organizes nursing activities efficiently; considers staff abilities when delegating activities.
    • Uses equipment effectively by anticipating patient needs and providing appropriate care.
    • Confirms that proper techniques and procedures are used according to accepted standards of practice.
    • Assists with inventory of supplies, drugs and equipment to maintain availability and stock levels in pre/postoperative areas.
    • Considers cost-effectiveness in the provision of care.
    • Maintains order and cleanliness of pre/postoperative areas.
  • Performs thorough preoperative patient assessment required by the outpatient setting.
    • Assists in assessing the physical and emotional status of the patient upon admission according to Facility policy.
    • Develops a plan for patient care based on assessment data; implements and documents preoperative care according to Facility policy.
    • Informs patient and family about routine care and procedures related to the perioperative experience.
    • Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient and supports the patient’s right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
  • Performs safe and individualized nursing care for the patient in the immediate postoperative period.
    • Assesses and documents the patient’s physical and emotional status upon arrival in the postoperative area.
    • Documents postoperative care during the patient’s recovery from anesthesia/sedation according to Facility policy.
    • Provides nursing care to meet patient needs related to surgical condition and type of anesthesia administered.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies

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.

Intellectual

  • Synthesizes complex or diverse information.
  • Collects and researches data.
  • Uses intuition and experience to complement data.
  • Designs work flows and procedures.
  • Generates creative solutions.
  • Translates concepts and information into images.
  • Uses feedback to modify designs.
  • Demonstrates attention to detail.
  • Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
  • Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
  • Develops alternative solutions.
  • Works well in group problem solving situations.
  • Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
  • Develops project plans.
  • Coordinates projects.
  • Communicates changes and progress.
  • Completes projects on time and budget.
  • Manages project team activities.
  • Assesses own strengths and weaknesses.
  • Pursues training and development opportunities.
  • Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.
  • Shares expertise with others.

Interpersonal

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
  • Listens and gets clarification.
  • Responds well to questions.
  • Demonstrates group presentation skills.
  • Participates in meetings.
  • 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.
  • Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.
  • Writes clearly and informatively.
  • Edits work for spelling and grammar.
  • Varies writing style to meet needs.
  • Able to read and interpret written information.

Leadership

  • Delegates work assignments.
  • Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
  • Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
  • Displays passion and optimism.
  • Inspires respect and trust.

Organization

  • Understands business implications of decisions.
  • Displays orientation to profitability.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition.
  • Aligns work with strategic goals.
  • Works within approved budget.
  • Implements cost saving measures.
  • Conserves organizational resources.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy.
  • Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
  • Educates others on the value of diversity.
  • Promotes a harassment-free environment.
  • Builds a diverse workforce.
  • Treats people with respect.
  • Keeps commitments.
  • Inspires the trust of others.
  • Works with integrity and ethically.
  • Upholds organizational values.
  • Follows policies and procedures.
  • Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.
  • Supports organization's goals and values.
  • Benefits organization through outside activities.
  • Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
  • Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals.
  • Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses.
  • Identifies external threats and opportunities.
  • Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Self Management

  • Adapts to changes in the work environment.
  • Manages competing demands.
  • Changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
  • Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
  • Is consistently at work and on time.
  • Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
  • Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
  • Follows instructions, responds to management direction.\
  • Takes responsibility for own actions.
  • Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
  • Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
  • Volunteers readily.
  • Undertakes self-development activities.
  • Seeks increased responsibilities.
  • Takes independent actions and calculated risks.
  • Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities.
  • Asks for and offers help when needed.
  • Displays original thinking and creativity.
  • Meets challenges with resourcefulness.
  • Generates suggestions for improving work.
  • Develops innovative approaches and ideas.
  • Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
  • Displays willingness to make decisions.
  • Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
  • Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.
  • Includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
  • Makes timely decisions.
  • Sets and achieves challenging goals.
  • Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
  • Measures self against standard of excellence.
  • Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
  • Prioritizes and plans work activities.
  • Uses time efficiently.
  • Plans for additional resources.
  • Sets goals and objectives.
  • Develops realistic action plans.
  • Approaches others in a tactful manner.
  • Reacts well under pressure.
  • Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
  • Accepts responsibility for own actions.
  • Follows through on commitments.
  • Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
  • Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
  • Applies feedback to improve performance.
  • Monitors own work to ensure quality.
  • Meets productivity standards.
  • Completes work in timely manner.
  • Strives to increase productivity.
  • Works quickly.
  • Observes safety and security procedures.
  • Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines.
  • Reports potentially unsafe conditions.
  • Uses equipment and materials properly.

Language, Math and Reasoning

  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedural manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
  • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Education, Experience, and Training

Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two year college and technical school; six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in postoperative or critical care area preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

  • Nursing License (NC)
  • BLS
  • ACLS (Within 6 months of employment)
  • PALS (within 6 months of employment)

Computer Skills

Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Patient care activities may require the ability to regularly lift and /or move up to 30 pounds, occasionally lift and /or move up to 40 pounds, and rarely lift and /or move up to 100 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; occasionally use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.

Vision Requirements

There are no special vision requirements.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

  • This position works in an environment with moderate noise level. (Examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic.)
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to bloodborne pathogens.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of radiation.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to chemical hazards.

Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.