RN - Helen Keller Hospital

Overview Facilitates the operative or other invasive procedure by preparing and providing the required sterile instruments, supplies, and equipment. Maintains the sterile field and anticipates and responds to the needs of the surgical team. Responsibilities Promotes the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Assesses patients at intervals as stated in policies and procedures. Develops an individualized perioperative patient plan of care. Implements the plan of care by Protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources; Performing accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items; Performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient's procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level; Managing the patient's specimens according to organizational policy and procedures; Communicating the patient's current status to relevant parties throughout the continuum of care; Administering medications safely and correctly; Performing interventions to maintain the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels; Performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient's genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels; Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period; Performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection; Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person; Providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure; Involving the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care and the rehabilitation process; Protecting the patient's rights, dignity, and privacy; Providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting. Evaluates the patient's progress toward attaining outcomes. Transfers care as applicable. Delegates tasks according to the state Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions. Documents nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly. Collaborates effectively with other disciplines as applicable. Participates in quality review and performance improvement projects. Participates in the performance appraisal process. Uses problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members. Maintains required competencies. Pursues professional growth and participates in a professional organization. Acts as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information. Functions in the Endoscopic (GI) area by: Accurately washing, disinfecting, and assembling scopes for procedures; Assessing functionality of scope and reporting repair or replacement needs to supervisor; Maintaining records of endoscope usage and repair logs; Accurately identifying patient; Accurately scheduling the patient and the procedure into the computer system; Assisting with accurate handling of specimens; Assisting physician with endoscopic and diagnostic procedures. Flexible to schedule; performs all other related duties as assigned or requested. Performs work according to rules, regulations, policies and guidelines; complies with standards in the Code of Conduct. Qualifications Education: Current licensure to practice as an RN in the State of Alabama or Multistate license. Experience: Sufficient previous clinical experience in area of expertise. Additional Skills/Abilities: 1) ACLS. 2) CPR certification or eligibility/capability to certify. 3) Able to work under the following conditions: contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances; exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries and illness); subject to varying and unpredictable situations; handles emergency or crisis situations; may perform emergency care; occasionally subjected to irregular hours; occasional stress due to multiple calls and inquiries. 4) Capable of working overtime as required. 5) Able to read, write and speak the English language.