Registered Nurse

## Description

**PURPOSE:**

The Registered Nurse is responsible for logging and keeping track of all medications in and out of the clinic, all script pads, ensuring patient and staff safety, and performing/overseeing multiple clinical duties. The nurse is responsible for assisting the physician to ensure that every procedure being performed is well documented and performed with accuracy.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES AND JOB ACTIVITIES:**

**Morning Arrival Responsibilities**

• Review schedule for the day
• Stock shelves and check stock with needed supplies
• Draw up the necessary injectable medication as needed
• Verify that all needed probes are ready and sterile
• Log all patients for the day on the procedure record

**Customer Relations**

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times as evidenced by observation
• Respect the rights, property, and privacy of all customers as evidenced by observation
• Meet customers’ needs and expectations as evidenced by the use of communication skills and actions taken on behalf of patients, families and visitors
• Foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation through communication and cooperation with all members of the health care team as evidenced by observation
• Manage conflict in a positive and constructive manner as evidenced by observation

**Responsibilities & Preparation of patient procedure (as Pre-Operative Nurse)**

• Assign preoperative arrival times and notify patient(s) at least 1 day in advance of the surgery as documented
• Review pre-op charts for completion
• Obtain appropriate paperwork to complete chart
• Recognize and report to attending physician any deviations from normal lab values
• Review pre-op instruction on all patients scheduled for next day surgery and obtain necessary documentation and supplies as required
• Collaborate with patient/family to identify individual needs and assess learning readiness
• Plan patient care with the members of the perioperative team
• Apply effective interviewing skills to obtain information from the patient/family as is necessary to plan, implement, and evaluate nursing
• Apply basic verbal and nonverbal communication skills to identify and reduce anxiety in the patient/family
• Document assessment, teach all patient’s responses as evidenced by documentation
• Set priorities and organize nursing activities accordingly
• Assure patient’s privacy and company confidentiality
• Maintain records and log books as required by company policy and regulation

**Responsibilities for patient procedure (as a Circulating Nurse)**

• Properly identify patients by checking the identification and comparing with the information on the chart as evidenced by observation and documentation
• Verify patient consent is signed and accurately completed
• Review medical records for appropriate information as specified in the company policies & procedures
• Prepare the Operating Room for the patient by obtaining proper equipment and supplies for intraoperative care as evidenced by documentation and observation
• Ensure a safe environment for the patient by following proper aseptic techniques, care and operation of all surgical and emergency equipment as observed
• Monitor all patients receiving conscious sedation or local anesthesia according to established policies and procedures
• Assist in properly positioning the patient on the procedure table
• Record, handle, and label specimens as documented
• Assist with dressings and prepare patient for transport to the Recovery Room
• Initiate lifesaving measures, such as CPR, in emergency situations as observed

**Responsibilities During and After Patient Procedure (as a Scrub Nurse)**

• Utilize aseptic techniques, set up instruments and equipment needed for procedures as observed and documented
• Perform needle, sponge, and other counts as documented
• Adhere to principles of universal precautions and ensure safe disposal of all sharps
• Control use of supplies and equipment to avoid waste as observed
• Assist with the general cleaning of the room and set up for the next procedure case

**Responsibilities after Patient Procedure (as a Recovery Nurse)**

• Rapidly assess patient status upon transfer to the Recovery Room (pulse oximeter, EKG, BP, dressings, drainage, etc.)
• Recognize and report to physician any deviations from normal lab values or responses
• Document on the medical record as requested or required
• Demonstrate knowledge of the location, care and operation of all Recovery Room emergency equipment
• Communicate discharge status to the attending physician as documented/observed
• Intervene in emergency situations in relation to patient safety and care
• Provide patient comfort and safety using appropriate equipment and/or medication as documented and identified through patient surveys
• Provide accurate and concise post-operative reports
• Assure patient’s privacy and company confidentiality
• Maintain records and log books as required by policy and regulation

**Safety and Sanitation Requirements**

• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when in contact with the patient, bodily fluids or hazardous materials
• Wear lead when radiological equipment in use
• Clean and sanitize any spills immediately
• Maintain a safe environment for the employees and patients at all times
• Sterilize probes after each use

**Develop and maintain personal and professional skills**

• Attend all mandatory staff meetings per year unless excused as evidenced by documentation
• Attend mandatory in-services and a minimum of two pertinent in-services per year as documented
• Actively participate in performance improvement activities as observed or documented
• Establish realistic professional goals as evidenced by the annual performance evaluation
• Actively keep abreast of departmental and organizational activities
• Demonstrate flexibility in response to unexpected change in workload or situations as observed
• Serves on committees and/or participates in changes of policy and procedures that affect the operation of services as documented
• Assist in the orientation of new personnel as directed
• Support the mission and goals of the company as observed
• Address all emails within 24 hours as documented
• Perform other duties as required

**Demonstrate safe and cost-effective practice**

• Consistently adhere to OSHA bloodborne pathogen guidelines; apply universal precautions per company standards as observed
• Consistently utilize proper body mechanics as observed
• Accurately complete incident reports within the shift of occurrence and immediately communicates critical incidents to the appropriate person per the organizational chart
• Consistently allocate resources to reduce waste and minimize costs as observed
• Consistently complete assigned duties within stated shifts in a timely manner as observed and documented

• **BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS**
• **Strive for excellence**

• Set challenging goals
• Produce quality work in a timely fashion
• Maintain current knowledge and skill