Registered Nurse Operating Room

Job Summary

The Registered Nurse Operating Room performs an age-specific plan of care for a designated group of patients using the nursing process, including assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This role involves close collaboration with physicians and other health team members in coordinating and implementing procedures and treatments, utilizing leadership skills and clinical judgment to direct and delegate patient care unit team activities.

Key Responsibilities

Assessing Physiologic Health Status

• Conducts patient interviews, explains policies, reviews charts, and answers questions courteously.
• Assesses gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, neurological health, mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition.
• Determines and manages patient pain levels.
• Communicates and documents patient’s physiologic health status and plan of care.

Assessing Psychosocial Health Status

• Elicits patient perceptions of care and expectations.
• Determines coping mechanisms, knowledge level, and comprehension ability.
• Identifies cultural/ethnic requirements to enhance satisfaction.
• Communicates and documents psychological status and care plans, including referrals to support services.

Identifying Patient Outcomes

• Develops criteria for measuring patient outcomes.
• Identifies actual and potential patient problems.
• Determines patient's teaching needs based on comprehensive assessment.
• Establishes individualized patient goals and outcome statements.

Formulating and Documenting the Plan of Care

• Identifies and prioritizes care activities for expected outcomes.
• Coordinates cost-effective use of supplies, equipment, and medication.
• Documents the plan of care and collaborates with the healthcare team.

Implementing the Plan of Care

• Ensures patient safety (e.g., side rails, call lights).
• Exercises professional nursing skills and revises the plan of care as needed.
• Administers prescribed treatments and uses equipment correctly.
• Provides emotional support to patients and significant others.
• Applies scientific principles, ensuring safe, timely, and efficient procedures.
• Makes and records accurate observations of patient conditions.
• Maintains accurate documentation of treatments, activity, conditions, and responses to interventions.
• Acts rapidly and effectively during emergencies.
• Creates a calm environment and communicates effectively with families/caretakers.
• Participates in discharge planning and coordinates referrals and instructions.

Evaluating Care Provided for Patient Outcome

• Measures and documents the effectiveness of care.
• Performs variance analysis for performance improvement.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates systems to improve unit care.
• Maintains accurate documentation of patient data.

Collaborating and Directing Care Team Members

• Collaborates with physicians on patient care plans.
• Accurately interprets and implements physician’s treatment regimens.
• Assists physicians during treatments and diagnostic procedures.
• Keeps Patient Care Manager/physician updated on patient changes.
• Delegates assignments using clinical judgment to associates, ensuring timely completion.

Performing Decubitus Care and Skin Care

• Performs grade I-IV Decubitus Care and preventive skin care measures.
• Applies simple dressings adhering to aseptic technique.
• Applies warm/cold compresses and performs irrigations consistent with facility procedures.
• Performs other necessary skin care procedures.

Administering Medications Correctly and Safely

• Identifies medication actions, dosages, side effects, and implications.
• Meets medication administration standards.
• Prepares local solutions and I.V. drips.
• Administers and documents medication correctly, including IVP per policy.
• Educates patients and significant others on drug and food interactions.

Participating in Patient and Family Education

• Explains patient's condition as indicated.
• Communicates assessment data to the care team and agencies.
• Utilizes health teaching opportunities and resources.
• Provides for early discharge planning and appropriate referrals.
• Evaluates teaching effectiveness through patient/family feedback and documentation.

Physical Demands

• Constant: Standing, walking, stooping, bending, stretching, lifting, pulling, pushing, turning.
• Frequent: Lifts 10-150 lbs; pushes up to 200 lbs.
• Occasional: Sitting; lifts with assistance over 150 lbs; carries up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred; must be enrolled in an accredited program within 24 months of employment (if hired after Sept 1, 2010) and obtain BSN within five years.
• Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State.
• BCLS, ACLS preferred.
• Additional site-specific qualifications may apply.

Key skills/competency

• Patient Assessment
• Nursing Process
• Care Planning
• Medication Administration
• Operating Room Procedures
• Aseptic Technique
• Collaboration
• Documentation
• Emergency Response
• Patient Education