Registered Nurse - Operating Room

Registered Nurse - Operating Room at Northwell Health

As a Registered Nurse - Operating Room at Northwell Health, you will be responsible for performing an age-specific plan of care for designated groups of patients. This involves utilizing the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. A crucial aspect of this role is collaborating with physicians and other health team members to coordinate and implement procedures and treatments. You will leverage your leadership skills and clinical judgment to coordinate patient care effectively and direct/delegate activities within the patient care unit team.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct patient interviews, explain policies and procedures, review charts, and assess patients' gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurological health status. Determine mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition, adjusting the plan of care as appropriate. Assess and manage pain, communicating and documenting the patient’s physiological health status and plan of care.
• Assess patients' psychosocial health status, understanding their perception of care, coping mechanisms, knowledge level, and cultural/ethnic requirements to reduce anxiety and ensure satisfaction. Document psychological status and care plans.
• Identify patient outcomes, develop measurement criteria, identify actual/potential problems, and determine teaching needs based on psychosocial and developmental assessments.
• Develop individualized patient outcome statements and goals.
• Identify care activities, establish priorities, and coordinate the cost-effective use of supplies, equipment, and medication. Document the care plan and collaborate with the healthcare team.
• Implement the plan of care by maintaining constant vigilance over patient safety, exercising professional skills, reassessing patients, administering prescribed treatments, and using equipment correctly. Provide emotional support, apply scientific principles in procedures, make accurate observations, and document patient conditions and responses.
• Act rapidly and effectively during emergencies, providing a calm atmosphere, communicating with families, and participating in discharge planning and referrals.
• Evaluate care effectiveness, document outcomes, perform variance analysis for performance improvement, and design/implement systems to improve unit care.
• Collaborate with care team members in planning and carrying out treatment regimens, providing direction, and consulting with physicians on patient care plans.
• Accurately interpret and implement physician-prescribed treatment regimens, assist physicians during procedures, and keep the Patient Care Manager/designee and/or physician abreast of changes in patient conditions. Use clinical judgment in delegating assignments.
• Perform comprehensive skin care, including Decubitus Care (Grade I-IV), preventive measures, applying simple dressings with aseptic technique, and performing irrigations and other skin care procedures.
• Administer medications correctly and safely, identifying actions, dosages, side effects, and implications. Meet medication administration standards and demonstrate preparation of local solutions. Administer and document medications correctly.
• Educate patients and significant others on drug and food interactions.
• Participate in patient and family education, explaining conditions, communicating assessment data, utilizing health teaching opportunities, and providing for early discharge planning and referrals. Evaluate teaching effectiveness through feedback and documentation.
• Perform related duties as required, considering all responsibilities essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing, required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, preferred.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two (2) years and obtain a BSN Degree within five (5) years of job entry date.
• Current License to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State, required.
• Specialized certifications, as needed.
• AHA BLS Certification preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of OR experience, preferred.

Key skills/competency

• Nursing Process
• Patient Care
• Operating Room
• Aseptic Technique
• Medication Administration
• Critical Thinking
• Collaboration
• BLS Certification
• Documentation
• Patient Assessment