RN in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at Forrest General Hospital

Job Summary:

The Surgery staff nurse reports to the Patient Care Coordinator and the Patient Care Manager of Surgery. Surgery staff nurses must be detail-oriented, flexible, able to juggle multiple priorities without missing a beat, adept with technical skills, and team players, and must possess excellent communication skills. They must be able to think critically in a fast-paced and challenging environment. This person must be able to function in a variety of specialties such as neurology, orthopedics, general, gynecology, urology, robotics, plastics, dental, maxillofacial, and ENT. The ideal candidate will have strong sense of urgency and accountability, with a notable pride in self and drive for excellence.

Performance Expectations

Leadership, Culture & Communication

• Models professional, respectful, and effective communication with patients, families, physicians, coworkers, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Provides exceptional patient and coworker experiences by consistently demonstrating positive language and excellent customer service.
• Promotes a positive, collaborative work environment that supports teamwork, accountability, and mutual respect.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, independence, and professionalism in interactions with physicians and the healthcare team.
• Communicates pertinent patient, procedural, and operational information accurately and timely.
• Contributes to teamwork by recognizing unit needs, offering assistance, and responding positively to requests for support.
• Seeks guidance when appropriate and provides support and knowledge to members of the healthcare team.
• Uses therapeutic communication, active listening, and patient education to establish effective relationships with patients, families, and caregivers.
• Uses the organization's We Care philosophy and approved departmental communication tools in daily practice.
• Maintains professionalism by supporting a respectful workplace free from behaviors that undermine teamwork, including gossip and rumors.

Clinical Expertise & Direct Patient Care

• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care for patients undergoing surgical intervention.
• Provides safe, effective, and efficient direct patient care for patients with varying levels of complexity.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care based on patient needs, developmental principles, and clinical condition.
• Applies critical thinking and clinical judgment when managing patient care, procedures, technology, medications, and emergency situations.
• Advocates for patients and families by protecting patient rights and addressing clinical and ethical concerns using appropriate resources.
• Coordinates care with the interdisciplinary team based on patient assessment, clinical needs, and surgical requirements.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of patient care, intraoperative activities, supplies, implants, and charges.

Perioperative Nursing Practice & Surgical Support

• Provides comprehensive intraoperative nursing care in accordance with Surgical Services policies and procedures.
• Maintains a safe surgical environment by ensuring compliance with surgical counts, prepping, timeouts, specimen management, and documentation requirements.
• Anticipates the needs of the sterile team, surgeon, and anesthesia providers throughout the procedure.
• Assists anesthesia personnel as needed, including during induction and emergence.
• Maintains awareness of surgical progress and communicates delays, conflicts, concerns, or operational issues to appropriate leadership.
• Accurately labels, documents, and processes surgical specimens according to established standards.
• Maintains sterile technique and assists with scrubbing, gowning, gloving, retraction, and other surgical support responsibilities as assigned.

Equipment, Technology & Positioning

• Demonstrates proficiency in operating and troubleshooting Operating Room equipment, including electrocautery, bipolar devices, suction systems, drills, video equipment, lasers, microscopes, headlights, surgical lights, OR tables, and robotic systems.
• Demonstrates competency in the safe use of patient positioning devices, including specialty tables, stirrups, frames, positioning supports, and other equipment required for surgical procedures.
• Ensures equipment and positioning practices promote patient safety and support optimal surgical outcomes.
• Maintains the ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including moving equipment and patients, while following appropriate safety measures.

Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Promotes a culture of safety through peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Implements infection prevention practices to reduce exposure risks and maintain a safe, confidential environment for patients and staff.
• Champions quality improvement initiatives and supports continuous improvement within Surgical Services.
• Completes required competencies and maintains clinical skills according to established deadlines.
• Complies with Surgical Services policies, departmental standards, attendance expectations, and organizational policies.

Operational Efficiency & Resource Management

• Manages time effectively, prioritizes daily responsibilities, minimizes incidental overtime, and completes documentation timely.
• Supports efficient Operating Room flow by anticipating needs, responding to changes, and communicating operational concerns.
• Provides input regarding resource utilization, capital needs, and operational budget considerations.
• Promotes responsible use of supplies, equipment, and departmental resources.
• Maintains organization and prioritization during complex and rapidly changing surgical environments.

Professional Accountability

• Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and commitment to achieving departmental goals.
• Maintains a positive attitude and serves as a professional role model for colleagues.
• Demonstrates strong organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills.
• Works assigned shifts and responds appropriately to additional or emergency staffing needs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of Surgical Services operations.
• Understands that this job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and may include additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Skills

• Graduate of a recognized non-online RN program required.

Work Experience:

• Experience as OR RN preferred but not required.
• Preferred experience in acute care setting

Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE

• Licensed RN able to practice within the State of MS

Additional Certification/Licensure - obtained based on the required timeframe below

• Basic Life Support

Within 30 Days of Employment

Required

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Within 90 Days of Employment

Required

• Pediatric Advance Life Support

Within 90 Days of Employment

Preferred

• NIH Stroke Scale

Within 90 Days of Employment

Required

• Telemetry Nurse Education

Within 90 Days of Employment

Required

Mental Demands:

Ability to perform as a team member, cooperate with others, follow directions precisely, demonstrate initiative, set priorities, and function under stress.