SOUTH SUNFLOWER COUNTY HOSPITAL

CIRCULATING REGISTERED NURSE

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Title:               Circulating Registered Nurse

Group:             Surgical Services

Reports To:     OR Manager

 

I. Summary   

The Circulating RN is responsible for providing circulating services during surgical procedures, for providing quality nursing care to patients during surgical procedures and for assuring continuity of patient care from pre-operative holding to post-op recovery, in accordance with professional standards and SSCH standards of patient care. (See addendum for additional duties for OR supervisor).

 

II. Essential Duties & Responsibilities       

The Circulating RN is responsible for assessing the physiological status of patients of all ages and documenting findings on the peri-operative record.

The OR Manager:

1. Develops a patient plan of care based on pre-op assessment, prioritizes patient needs and develops a nursing care plan based on these needs and priorities.

2. Organizes nursing activities in logical sequence and coordinates the use of supplies and equipment.

3. Discusses patient care needs with team members and other appropriate departments.

4. Controls environment, prepares for potential emergencies, and communicates and documents patient plan of care.

5. Implements nursing actions in transferring the patient according to prescribed plan.

6. Confirms patient identity and selects personnel for transfer, determines safe method, and provides for emotional needs during transfer.

7. Communicates and documents patient’s transfer.

8. Creates, monitors and maintains the sterile field by:

   1. Using principles of aseptic practice, initiates corrective action when breaks in techniques occur

   2. Inspects items for contamination before opening

   3. Functions within designated dress code

   4. Communicates and documents maintenance of the sterile field

9. Provides equipment and supplies based on patient needs:

   1. Anticipates the need for equipment and supplies

   2. Selects supplies in an organized and timely manner

   3. Assesses equipment and declares it functional before use

   4. Operates according to manufacturer’s instructions

   5. Removes malfunctioning equipment form OR

   6. Assures emergency equipment and supplies are readily available at all times

   7. Uses supplies in a cost-effective manner

   8. Communicates and documents provision of equipment and supplies

10. Performs sponge, sharps and instrument counts by:

    1. Following established policy and procedure for counts

    2. Initiates corrective action when counts are incorrect

    3. Communicates and documents results of counts according to facility policy

11. Admitting drugs and solutions as prescribed by:

    1. Administering medications according to hospital policy

    2. Communicates and documents administration of drugs and solutions

12. Physiologically monitors the patient during surgery by:

    1. Assisting and monitoring physical symptoms and behavioral changes

    2. Calculates intake and output

    3. Monitors operative equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions

    4. Indicates nursing action based on physiological changes of patient

    5. Communicates and documents physiological responses

13. Respects patient’s rights by:

    1. Demonstrates awareness of individual rights of the patient

    2. Provides for privacy through:

       1. Maintaining confidentiality

       2. Physical protection

       3. Identifies ethic and spiritual beliefs

    3. Communicates and documents provisions for patient rights

14. Performing nursing actions that demonstrate accountability by:

    1. Exercises safe judgment in decision making

    2. Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to changes in nursing practices

    3. Responds in a positive manner to constructive criticism

    4. Demonstrates tact and understanding when dealing with patients, team members, members of other departments

    5. Protective with ethical and legal guidelines

    6. Seeks opportunity for continued learning

    7. Communicates and documents nursing actions

15. Reassess all components of patient care based on new data by:

    1. Reassessing health status

    2. Defines nursing diagnosis

    3. Re-establishes goals

    4. Revises plan of care

    5. Implements a revised plan of care

    6. Communicates and documents reassessment process

16. Collects and documents unit-based quality monitoring and evaluation activities and implements measures to ensure quality standards are met by:

    1. Provides the quality of care and cost-effectiveness within the department

    2. Ensures that data is collected and formatted to proper form for analysis

17. Demonstrates customer relations skills by:

    1. Promoting a positive working environment

    2. Contributing to the overall team effort

    3. Providing professional, efficient and courteous service to the patient

    4. Responding appropriately to patient and physician complaints

    5. Communicates in a positive manner

    6. Assures a caring and compassionate work environment

18. Must work effectively with others, possessing tact, discretion and diplomacy

19. Must demonstrate leadership, teaching ability and possess the ability to work under pressure

20. Should:

    1. Hold current certification in Basic Life Support

    2. Have 3 years of surgical experience with managerial experience preferred

    3. Interview all applicants for positions in the OR

    4. Gives final approval on the approval for the employment of any licensed personnel for the Surgical Services Department

    5. Be responsible for the 24-hour administrative management of the designated unit

    6. Develop and submit to the Director of Nursing realistic goals and objectives for the surgical unit with a yearly review of the achievement of these goals or the justification on non-achievement

    7. Retains accountability for the entire operative procedures of the Surgical Services Department

    8. Be responsible for the staff’s performance evaluations and participates in reviewing those evaluations for merit increases, promotions transfers, disciplinary actions and terminations

    9. Is responsible for Quality Assurance and Quality of Pre-Operative, Intra-Operative and nursing standards of care

    10. Manages the organization of equipment and supplies in the OR, recommends the purchase of new equipment and supplies

    11. Monitors the educational needs of personnel and plan ways to meet those needs

    12. Attends and participates in management and committee meetings as required

    13. Provides orientation to new staff in the Surgical Services Department

    14. Maintains and submits required records and reports

    15. Maintains active involvement in the communication process by formulating OR policies and procedures, submitting them for approval and keeping the unit manuals updated with current policy and procedure

21. Performs any other duties as requested by the Director of Nursing and Administration

 

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

1. Internal

   1. Interacts with patients, families, and visitors

   2. Assigns duties to unit staff

   3. Provides technical information and assistance to nursing associates, physicians and other department associates

2. External

   1. The Circulating RN has daily contact with physicians, other outside professional staff, and patients

 

III.       Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervised indirectly by the Director of Nursing. Directly supervises and assigns duties to the Circulating RN, the scrub technicians and any Environmental staff assigned to the Surgical Services Department

 

IV.       Physical Demands / Conditions

The Circulating RN will experience prolonged periods of standing and walking, some lifting and transporting of patients and equipment. The Circulating RN will experience frequent exposure to contagious entities

 

V.        Qualifications

The Circulating RN will:

1. Be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing

2. Have current registration in the State of Mississippi as a Registered Nurse

3. Possess skill and proficiency in applying highly technical principles, concepts and techniques which are central to the professional discipline in nursing

4. Possess human relations skills in interviewing and communication

5. Possess the ability to use initiative decision making and independent judgment

6. Have experience in caring for specific age groups to include neonates, infants, pediatrics, adults and geriatric patients

7. Have knowledge of surgical procedures and terminology and knowledge of surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment as might be required although one-year experience in OR Services or training is preferred

8. Have knowledge of anesthetic drugs and post-anesthesia complications and cardiac arrhythmic detection.

9. Have the ability to work without direct supervision and to exercise independent judgment in a professional area.

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.