Registered Nurse (RN - Hospital) - Surgery Center in Jamestown, North Dakota at Jamestown Regional Medical Center

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

This position is responsible for providing quality care to patients undergoing surgical intervention in the area of admission, post-operative (phase I & II), and discharge. The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the care of the patient. Coordinates total nursing care for patients of all ages utilizing the nursing process; directs patient and family teaching prior to discharge; provides leadership by working cooperatively with ancillary nursing and other patient team personnel in maintaining standards for professional nursing practice in the clinical setting.

Part-time benefited positions working 50 hours per two week pay period. Hours of work are Monday - Friday with variable day time hours. There will be no scheduled PACU call but may be required to take a call shift if needed.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Admission:
  • Receives patient into pre-admission area, assesses vitals, and assists patient with pre-operative preparations.
  • Reviews chart for complete and proper paperwork. Reviews patients health history and completes pre-operative orders
  • Documents all procedures/tasks, medication administrations, and assessments thoroughly and accurately in the electronic health record.
• Post-operative (Phase I & II):
  • Receives patients into recovery room. Receives report from OR staff and anesthesia practitioner. Notes and documents level of consciousness, adequacy of respiration, and vital signs. Patients are assessed frequently until discharge criteria has been met.
  • Provides nursing care including patient assessment, dressing status, medication administration, and implementation of practitioners’ orders.
  • Observes for changes in patient condition. Provides any needed interventions or urgent care to maintain patient safety. Notifies practitioner and/or anesthesia of changes promptly. Documents any interventions provided to patient, the patient’s condition, and the notification of practitioner in the electronic health record.
  • Assists in developing, reviewing, and revising all policies and procedures for the PACU.
  • Demonstrates the ability to respond to a flexible workload during crisis and emergency situations.
  • Capable of working independently.
• Discharge:
  • Prepares patient for discharge including assisting with redressing, checking surgical dressing, and reviewing discharge instructions and medications with the patient and the responsible adult the patient is being discharged to.
  • Assists patients safely to their vehicle, ensuring the patient is discharged to a responsible adult.
  • Thorough and accurate documentation of all discharge procedures.
• Circulates endoscopy procedures; maintaining correct documentation, administering nurse sedation, and assisting in the procedure as needed.
• Maintains the standards of nursing care and implements the policies and procedures of the hospital and Clinical Services.
• Assesses the patient's condition considering age-specific developmental needs, educational needs of patient and family and discharge planning needs.
• Delegates nursing care to other health care members in accordance with the patient's needs and the nursing personnel's capabilities and qualifications.
• Administers medications, IV therapy and performs treatments for assigned patients as ordered by the physician.
• Ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Participates in orientation of new personnel and performance evaluations of nursing staff.
• Coordinates nursing care of patients when scheduled for therapy or procedures by other departments.
• Establishes and maintains effective communications with patients, families and staff to contribute to the hospital mission.
• Initiates and/or assists in emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients such as cardiac arrest.
• Participates in staff development programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION

1. Preparation and Training - Work requires a professional level of knowledge acquired by completing an accredited RN nursing education program. Must hold RN licensure from the ND State Board of Nursing for the current year. PACU staff nurse position requires completion of BLS CPR, advanced cardiac life support class, and PALS certification. Position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist.
2. Work Experience - Prefer a minimum of one year nursing experience following completion of RN nursing education program. Prefer minimum of nine months recent perioperative experience or complete approved college perioperative program. Nurses who do not meet this minimum requirement must successfully complete a surgical competency-based orientation program. Time to reach competency on the job: 3 weeks to 3 months following orientation to the work area.
3. Attendance - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC. Employee are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule.
4. Analytical Ability - A high level of analytical ability is required in a variety of duties in order to gather and interpret complex data and to find solutions to difficult problems.
5. Independent Judgement - Independent nursing judgment is often required by the professional RN based on established policies and procedures. Substandard performance in nursing skills or judgment may adversely affect patient care, patient welfare and hospital goodwill.
6. Contact with Others - Very frequent contact with others. Must demonstrate social sensitivity and the ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner.
7. Supervising the Work of Others - Responsible for own work. Relates closest to coworkers but is not responsible for supervision.
8. Responsibility for Welfare Others - High frequency with which work performed by the staff RN may result in very serious physical or emotional harm to others. It is the responsibility of the professional RN to continuously uphold the highest degree of performance within currently defined and acceptable nursing practice standards.
9. Mental / Visual Effort - Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Required duties are such that concentrated attention must be applied on demand consistent with manual skill requirements in situations that may at times be stressful. Visual acuity necessary for reading charts and working with medical devices; color perception necessary for interpreting testing procedures involving color comparisons.
10. Physical and Sensory Effort - Frequent standing or walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients and/or equipment. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and crouching. Needs finger dexterity when handling medication, specialized equipment and performing nursing assessments.
11. Working Conditions - OSHA job classification: This position is defined as a Category I in which the employee does have exposure to blood borne pathogens. Position requires exposure to patients with infectious disease and odor. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe Standard Precautions. Participates in and complies with JRMC Safety Management program. Position is subject to frequent interruptions. Work may be on weekends and holidays; beyond normal working hours and/or temporarily in other positions when necessary.
12. Promotion - No formal line of promotion
13. Background Check - A comprehensive background check and drug screening will be conducted as a condition of employment for this role.
14. Drug Screen - A urine drug screening is required for all positions and must be completed within 30 days of the date of hire.
15. Physical Requirement - These are physical requirements of the position that may be performed as part of daily duties. Inability to meet one or more of these physical requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for reasonable accommodation, JRMC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates and the proposed accommodation.

Employee Requirements

• Visual Observation - Continuously
• Standing - Continuously
• Walking - Continuously
• Sitting - Occasionally
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Frequently
• Climbing - Occasionally
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Frequently
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling - Rarely
• Working Inside - Continuously
• Working Outside - Never
• Working in Extreme Heat - Never
• Working in Extreme Cold - Never
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Never
• Noise - Frequently
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Never
• Driving - Never

Lifting / Carrying / Pushing / Pulling:

• Up to 10 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 20 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 50 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 75 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 100 pounds - Frequently
• Over 100 pounds - Frequently