SUMMARY:

The Pre-operative/Recovery RN is a health professional who is an integral part of the team of practitioners providing care to pre-operative and post-operative patients in an outpatient setting. The RN works within a team of professional and technical staff to ensure that the patient environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that procedures and processes are conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. The RN provides relevant and appropriate education for the patient and care providers throughout the pre-operative and post-operative periods.

POSITION DUTIES

A. Performs thorough nursing assessment throughout the patient’s pre- and post-operative care

1. Must display comprehensive and current knowledge of general nursing theory and practice including basic disciplines relating to nursing such as bio-psycho-, social and medical sciences and their application to nursing and patient care.
2. Must display knowledge of the underlying principles of treatment and nursing procedures. Skilled in patient-population age-based competencies to include fluid and nutritional requirements, skincare, body organ status, mobility status, comprehension, cognitive skills, healing restrictions, and psycho-social needs.
3. Complete knowledge and understanding of peri-operative nursing care in the freestanding ambulatory surgery unit.

B. Performs Safe Medication Administration

1. Current knowledge on the actions and side effects of pharmaceuticals, agent’s effects, and reversal agent effects.
2. Administers medication following 5 rights and with aseptic technique. 
3. Competent in technical skills including IV Therapy and cardiac monitoring.
4. Assists in control of inventory, drugs, supplies and equipment.
5. Assists in inventory management and control of narcotic substances.

C. Maintains a safe environment for patients and personnel.

1. Ensures measures to provide safe and adequate care and transportation of patients.
2. Monitors utilization and care of physical plant, supplies, and equipment to provide for cleanliness and operational ability at all times.
3. Meets regulatory guidelines surrounding fire safety, medication safety, and sharps use.
4. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the application of the OSHA blood-borne pathogens standards to the workplace.
5. Must be able to maintain patient and facility confidentiality. 
6. Must possess demonstrated communication skills, which indicate the ability to be successful at counseling and teaching.
7. Knowledge of the organizations mission plans for improvement, policies, procedures, standards, goals and objectives, cost containment activities, and emergency and biomedical standards.

I.QUALIFICATIONS

A. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed to practice in Maine.Bachelor’s of Science in nursing preferred.

B. BCLS certification required, ACLS preferred.

C. Minimum of 2 years nursing with medical/surgical or equivalent experience. 

II. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Good general physical health required due to long periods of standing, walking, and lifting work. Must be well coordinated and have full mobility. Dexterity necessary. 

B. This position often exerts 25lbs of force, occasionally exerts up to 75lbs of force. Occasionally stooping, crouching, kneeling, overhead reaching, below level reaching, lifting and carrying a maximum of 50lbs. 

C. Visual and audio acuity as needed to meet job performance required, including paper and computer screens. Must be able to speak clearly and distinctly. Must be able to listen and direct.

D. Must be able to respond to challenging situations with emotional stability. Must be able to demonstrate skill in organization of multiple tasks.

E. Possible exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, and medicinal preparations.