Registered Nurse - Perioperative Services

Job Summary

The Perioperative Services Registered Nurse (RN) at Meeker Memorial Hospital provides comprehensive care to the patient and family along the perioperative continuum including but not limited to pre-op, intra-op. post-op; phase 1 and 2, special procedures - endoscopy, epidural steroid injections, and conscious sedation. This is achieved in a close-knit, fast-paced environment, ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes throughout the entire surgical experience. Successful perioperative nurses at MMHC are excellent problem-solvers, multitaskers, and communicators with a strong desire to care for people as part of an outstanding clinical team.

Essential Job Functions

Job functions are those tasks, duties and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the job's purpose and objectives. Job functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable.

Preoperative Phase:

• Conducts comprehensive physical and psychological assessments, interviews patients and ensures all necessary lab work, documentation (like signed consents) and tests are completed and available.
• Educates patients and their families about the surgical process, recovery expectations and pain management, while also providing emotional support to help alleviate fears and anxiety.
• Prepares the operating room, ensuring all necessary instruments, supplies and equipment are sterile, functional and ready for the specific procedure.

Intraoperative Phase:

• Manages the overall nursing care in the OR, acts as the patient's advocate, coordinates the surgical team's needs, manages the flow of supplies and maintains a sterile environment from outside the sterile field.
• Continuously monitors the patient's vital signs and condition, assists the anesthesia provider, and maintains accurate, real-time documentation of the procedure and patient status.
• Must be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to surgical emergencies or complications, often with minimal supervision, leveraging strong critical thinking skills.

Postoperative Phase:

• Cares for the patient as they recover from anesthesia, monitoring closely for complications such as hypoxia, pain, nausea or blood pressure fluctuations.
• Provides detailed postoperative instructions to patients and their families regarding wound care, medication and follow-up appointments to facilitate the smooth transition of care.

Other:

• In order to effectively meet the tasks, duties and responsibilities of the perioperative RN, they must possess:
  • Working knowledge of surgical instrumentation and equipment.
  • Working knowledge of conscious sedation medications.
  • Working knowledge of anesthetic agents and airway management.
  • Working knowledge of cardiac rhythms and appropriate interventions
  • Technical knowledge of cardiac monitors.

In Addition, Responsibilities Include:

• Be proficient in all phases of perioperative care and potentially multiple surgical specialties (e.g., orthopedics, general surgery, endoscopies, etc.).
• Successfully demonstrates professional nursing skills, competencies and expected outcomes as required for a MMHC Registered Nurse.
• Practice sound Infection Control principles including aseptic technique.
• Be able to function independently in role of pre-admission patient screening, total joint teaching, operating room circulator, patient admission/discharge, recovery, sedation administration and PRN charge nurse.
• Be able to collaborate and communicate with a small, consistent team of surgeons, anesthesia provider and support staff.
• After 6 months of successful employment, may serve as the charge nurse and follow the unit goals and objectives to maintain high quality standards of care.
• Actively suggesting and participating in Quality Improvement measures for the Department.
• Assessing department activity levels and staff, accordingly, being available as a resource to staff and providers, observe for adherence to unit and hospital policies and procedures, direct smooth operation of daily surgery schedule.

Note: This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate's degree (AA) as a Registered Nurse (RN). BSN preferred. 
• 1-year prior experience and/or training in this specific area preferred.
• Acute hospital Medical/Surgical or ICU experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Awareness of healthcare policies, regulations, and legal/ethical standards, including patients' rights and privacy regulations (i.e., HIPAA).
• Familiarity with patient assessment techniques and the ability to interpret patient data.
• Knowledge of developing and implementing patient centered care plans.
• Understanding of infection control protocols and safety procedures.
• Performing patient assessments, including monitoring vital signs and conducting physical examinations. Administering medications safely and accurately, including dosage calculations. Wound care, IV insertion, and other clinical procedures. Basic life support and first aid.
• Clearly and effectively communicating with patients, families, and the healthcare team, including explaining complex medical information in an understandable manner.
• Developing effective solutions to patient problems and adapting to changing situations.
• Supervising and delegating tasks to other nursing staff. Mentoring and guiding junior nurses.
• Adapting to changing patient conditions, workloads and healthcare environments. Embracing new technologies and evolving healthcare.
• Being precise and meticulous in administering medications, documenting information, and performing procedures to ensure patient safety and prevent errors. Documentation in the EHR is accurate and timely and meets MMHC standards.
• Providing care that respects patients' diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs and values. Acknowledging and addressing unconscious biases to deliver equitable care.
• Ability to work independently and meet the demands of a Critical Access Hospital/Rural Hospital environment.
• Skilled at incorporating AIDET into professional practice.
• Knowledge of role in patient confidentiality and protecting patient information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure as defined by HIPAA.
• Ability to respond quickly and decisively to emergency situations, while participating in shelter-in-place and disaster response protocols.
• Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, communicating effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
• Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for providing care to specific patient populations.
• Ability to lift, move and position patients and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of acute care experience (ICU, Med/Surg).
• Successful completion of perioperative nursing course or previous experience in perioperative setting (pre/postoperative patient care, recovery, sedation, operating room circulator, etc.) is desired.
• Previous experience in a Critical Access Hospital.
• Knowledge of CAH-specific regulations and rural health challenges.

Licenses & Certifications

• Current Minnesota RN License.
• Current BLS or ability to attain within 60 days.
• Current ACLS or ability to attain during orientation and before working independently on unit.
• Current PALS or ability to attain during orientation and before working independently on unit.

Computer Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), secure messaging applications, and collaborative tools (e.g.) Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace. Proficient with Paycom and other Information Systems applicable to position, including knowledge of Emergency Preparedness Websites/MN Tra Internet software; order entry and order processing systems and ability to thoroughly document clinical services, maintain accurate patient records, and effectively utilize electronic health record (EHR) systems i.e. EPIC.

Reasoning & Critical Thinking

Apply logical problem-solving and decision-making skills in complex situations. Make sound decisions in real time, often under pressure (early warning signs, inconsistencies, potential complications) using critical thinking. - Analyze patient data, identifying issues, and making sound clinical judgements. Evaluate multiple approaches and propose innovative solutions with sound judgement. Able to work independently with limited supervision.

Language & Communication

Adapt tone, style, and messaging for diverse audiences and contexts. Ability to write high quality drafts, proposals, reports, and presentations. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one meetings as well as small and larger groups, i.e. employees, customers, vendors, community organizations, etc. Collaborate across departments to relay messages and coordinate care smoothly.

Mathematics & Analytical Abilities

Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculations in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations and in analysis of quality assurance data. Ability to understand bar graphs and other visual representations of data. Accurately record and interpret clinical measurements. Use EMR systems and care documentation tools to analyze data trends and support treatment.

Standards of Employment

• Understand and adhere to MMHCs compliance standards as outlined in MMHCs Compliance Program.
• Attend all mandatory education programs and demonstrate proficiency related to general safety and regulatory compliance.
• Attend all department-specific training, and demonstrate proficiency related to safety and job-related hazards.
• Understand and follow MMHC procedures for exposure control / blood borne and airborne pathogens.
• Comply with all relevant MMHC policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory standards and requirements.
• Attire is neat, clean, and appropriate for the work environment and according to MMHC policies.
• Wear proper identification while on duty.
• Maintain confidentiality of all MMHC and patient information at all times.
• Report to work on time and maintain defined standards for attendance.
• Attend mandatory meetings.
• Able to perform essential job duties that meet job performance expectations and organizational standards while upholding MMHC mission and values.

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 job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move (push/pull) up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Lifting/and or moving of more than 35 pounds shall require the use of an assistive device or team member assist. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Ability to meet physical demands of rural hospital/clinic work, including emergency situations and/or disaster protocols.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; needles or sharps; the challenges of variable hours, shifting resources, and work situations inherent in CAH/rural settings; Hazards and/or Biohazard Medications; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electric shock and radiation; bloodborne pathogens and exposed to latex. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Proficiency in utilizing electronic health records (EHR) systems for documenting patient information and accessing relevant data.