Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Eye Health Northwest
Happy Valley, OR

Registered Nurse

Summary Under the direction of the ASC Director, the ASC RN is responsible for providing safe, quality nursing care for surgery patients through the surgery continuum. Responsibilities include: assess, plan, implement and coordinate patient care from admission to discharge; assist ophthalmologists as a circulating nurse in surgery and other medical procedures; observe and document the patient's condition; represents EHN in a professional, friendly manner at all times. Supervisory Responsibilities This position does not have direct reports but assists in the supervision of others in the provision of patient care, providing direction, guidance, and training to licensed nurses and non-licensed staff. The RN may assume responsibilities of Charge Nurse as designated by the ASC Director or Administrator. Primary Duties and Responsibilities * Provide nursing care to designated surgery patients through all stages of the surgery continuum; ensure provision of patient care in an organized and timely manner. * Interview patients before admission, obtaining and assessing history and physical finding. * Utilize nursing care standards when planning and implementing patient care. * Prepare patients physically and emotionally for surgery through interview, physical assessment, and education. * Initiate and provide patient and family education; assess learning needs according to the patient's level of understanding and readiness to learn. * Apply appropriate age-specific competencies in providing care; demonstrate an understanding of each patient's cognitive, physical, psychological, emotional, and chronological maturity in assessments, treatment, and care. * Verify identity of surgery patients and eye that surgery will be performed on prior to commencement of procedure. * Verify surgeon's consent with surgery center's consent form. * Ensure patient understanding of post-operative instructions; prepare patients to care for themselves. * Perform the duties of circulating nurse; assess and monitor patient status upon admission, during surgical procedure and postoperatively; anticipate and implement appropriate care throughout the surgical process. * Serve as a patient advocate by ensuring the patient's comfort and safety; observe and document the patient's condition; provide accurate, timely and effective communication regarding the patient's condition to ASC Director or Administrator, RN, ophthalmologists, surgical staff, anesthesia provider, and administrative staff as appropriate. * Safely carry out physician orders accurately and timely, documenting all activities. * During local sedation cases, record vital signs and gives medications as ordered by physician or anesthesiologist. * Assist in escorting / transporting patients between preoperative, OR and postoperative areas. * Ensure that supplies are ready for use; inventory and restock supplies as needed. * Verify narcotic count with other licensed staff member at the beginning and end of each surgery day. * Administer medications, IV's, and Rx; maintain records regarding dispensing and observes patient reactions; acts appropriately in the event of adverse reactions. * Ensure a safe and healthy environment for all patients and staff; protect all patients by identifying safety hazards such as electrical and equipment, taking particular care with sedated and anesthetized patients. * Create and maintain a sterile environment when acting in a surgical scrub role. * Ensures that optical and surgical instruments and equipment are properly maintained in good working condition; report defective or non-functioning equipment. * Attend in-service programs as required. * Protect confidential patient information and use good judgment in sharing patient information in a manner that is consistent with patient care and current laws and regulations, including HIPAA. * Adhere to and ensure staff adherence to all safety standards as established by OSHA; apply all required safety precautions, including personal protective equipment (PPE). * Perform work in compliance with company policy, department procedures and regulatory requirements, including State and Federal laws and regulations. Secondary Functions * Other duties which may be necessary or desirable to serve the patient and support the success of the department or the company overall. Qualifications Education and/or Experience; Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations (Minimum Requirements) * Current RN Licensure in good standing in the State of Oregon. * Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification preferred. * Other certification as deemed appropriate and necessary by the ASC Director or Administrator. * A minimum of two 2 years of pre/post operative or operating room experience, preferably in an ambulatory surgery center setting; or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training that would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the successful performance of the essential job duties. Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities * Knowledge of principles, practices, and processes for providing quality nursing care, including meeting quality standards for nursing services. * Knowledge of Federal and State laws, and other regulatory requirements governing nursing practices and surgery center operations. * Ability to analyze information and use logic to resolve issues and problems. * Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all persons contacted in the course of performing duties. * Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. * Ability to prioritize and multi-task; must be organized and flexible to change course of work as circumstances dictate and be effectively responsive in emergency situations. * Ability to effectively guide and coordinate staff. * Expertise in safety principles, asepsis, sterile technique, and universal precautions. * Competencies in conscious sedation administration and monitoring of sedated patient, including airway protection, assessment, and support of sedated patients. * Knowledge to perform assessments, plan patient care, provide direct care, and educate and orient families and staff. * Ability to complete mathematical calculation, i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equivalencies. * Knowledge of and ability to operate and troubleshoot a variety of medical equipment and instruments to administer patient care. * Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment. * Ability to react calmly and effectively in busy or emergency situations. * Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures. Physical Demands / Work Environment * Manual/finger dexterity as necessary to perform daily job duties. * Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including visual examination of patient and reading information from printed sources and computer screens. * Frequently required to stand and/or walk for extended periods of time. * Occasionally required to sit for extended periods of time. * Frequently required to reach with hands and arms; lift, push, pull and/or carry objects up to 50 pounds. * Occasionally required to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects up to 100 pounds. * Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including visual examination of patient and reading information from printed sources and computer screens. * Frequently required to bend, squat, stoop, or twist. * Potential exposure to biohazardous materials, bodily fluids and bloodborne pathogens. * Potential exposure to chemicals associated with a surgical/medical environment. Reasonable Accommodations To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EHN believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our overall success. That contribution should not be limited by assigned responsibilities. This job description is designed to outline primary functions, qualifications and job scope, but is not intended to limit the employee or EHN to only those job functions identified. EHN expects each employee to offer his or her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure superior customer service, quality patient care, and the success of our business.