Registered Nurse - Operating Room

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

This position is located within the Operating Room of SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. Has knowledge in circulating and scrub tech duties for all types of elective and emergency cases performed, including abdominal, thoracic, Urology, ENT, Plastic, Orthopedics, Vascular and OB/GYN. Multi-tasks efficiently and ensures the surgical cases proceed throughout the day in a timely manner. Utilizes after-hour call services, to staff the Operating Rooms (OR), for nights, holidays and weekends.

Clinical decisions are made initially independently during the scheduled shift; maintains complete accountability for all actions taken. Consults with the appropriate manager/supervisor in difficult situations, requiring additional input. Able to react in a calm manner and make sound nursing judgments in an emergency environment. On Call OR Registered Nurse responds to all emergencies including trauma and fetal distress C-sections includes total peri-operative nursing care. Accountable for proper delegation and supervision of CNA/Tech, and/or Senior Office Specialist on unit during shift.

• Promotes the SEARHC Seven Standards of Excellence; sets priorities for care of patients based on acuity and/or patients’ preference; anticipates potential problems; adapts to change on the area by setting priorities for emergencies, changes in patient status and unusual occurrences; initiates, manages, and documents the nursing procedures consistent with scientific principle and departmental policy; Observes interviews and assesses surgery patients during perioperative phase. Initiates treatments, medications, emergency and resuscitative measures based on appropriate utilization of physicians' pre- and post-op orders, standing orders and post anesthesia protocol. Administers therapeutic measures as prescribed by the anesthesiologist, anesthetist or surgeon. Records observations, nursing interventions, therapeutic measures, and other data relevant to surgical patients in a accurate, efficient and timely manner.  Collaborates with members of the surgical and multidisciplinary teams in assessing, planning and implementing surgical intervention in management of patient’s peri-operative health care. initiates action to reduce, correct, or prevent immediate, ongoing, or potential risks to the patient; facilitates healing by providing nursing care that is individualized, goal oriented, based on scientific principles and the nursing process; seeks out resources when beyond the scope of skill, knowledge or experience; explains test, procedures, and disease process to patient/significant others; communicates and interacts with patient/significant others in a positive and supportive way; takes steps to decrease stress and/or increase effectiveness of coping mechanisms of patient/significant others; Operates and monitors specialized perioperative equipment.  Demonstrates use of autoclaves, flash and washer sterilizer, ultrasound washers, Hi vac and gravity autoclave glucometer and Steris. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in dealing with expectant mother/baby care for c-sections. Monitors patients having surgical procedure under local anesthesia and moderate sedation by assessing cardiopulmonary, respiratory and hemodynamic status and pain levels. Responsible for independent management of patients undergoing local anesthesia and moderate sedation.
• When called in for emergency functions as team leader and supervises on call team members. Scrub duties when needed. Will take O.R. Call as assigned by immediate supervisor. Inventories, monitors assigned services supplies and order as needed.  Carries out treatments and procedures per scope of practice and abides/promotes ASPAN/AORN standards. Utilizes the AORN Standards of Care to develop, implement, evaluate nursing plan of care for the peri-operative patient.  Monitors supplies and instruments to assure sterility of materials used furthering Quality Assurance of patient care. Knowledge of assessment practices related to pain management and various treatment modalities of pain relief. Knowledge of pharmaceuticals in order to recognize the desired effects, side effects and complications on their use. Ability to recognize adverse signs and symptoms, which are not always apparent and to react promptly in emergency situations including the implementation of life saving procedures. Knowledge of human behavior during stressful situations in order to exercise emotional control, tact, patience and reliability in carrying out patient care. Correctly labels and processes all operative specimens.
• Communicates with staff, patients, significant others and other members of the healthcare team in a way that is supportive, constructive, and positive; gives feedback to other staff and healthcare team members in regard to behavior that does not support achievement; assists in the orientation of new staff, travelers, and students by sharing knowledge, experience and verbal encouragement; guides others in choosing nursing intervention, developing skills and applying knowledge; follows and directs others to follow corporate, hospital, and departmental policies, procedures and patient care standards; supports the area and overall Nursing services mission by assigning staff to productive tasks and floating to other units as needed; provides input regarding the need for change in policies, procedures, and patient care standards; able to perform as Contact RN leading assigned RNs, CNAs and Techs and accomplishes all assigned patient care and area support activities during the shift. Other duties as assigned.
• Attends and participates in at least 50% of departmental staff meetings; applies information presented in staff meetings; participates in unit goal setting; complies with area and departmental scheduling guidelines;  initiates discussion with nurse manager regarding area or department issues; completes annual competencies, evaluation material, maintains certifications and licensure; complies with dress code; refers un-resolved problems with patients/visitors/co-workers to Nurse Manager or Administrative Manager for resolution; addresses employee concerns consistent with Human Resources Policy

Education/Experience

• Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing (BSN, Associate degree in nursing or Diploma in nursing)
• One year clinical nurse experience is preferred.
• Prior Perioperative/PACU experience is preferred; if minimal experience and training required a two year commitment in the Perioperative field will be required.

License/Certification

• A valid, current, full and unrestricted RN license in the State of Alaska.
• Current BLS or certification must be obtained within 1 month of hire date and biannually thereafter. Must have BLS until get ACLS, ACLS, PALS or all must be obtained within 6 months of hire date and biannually thereafter.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of nursing care principles, practices, diagnosis, and processes (including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to provide professional nursing care to patients.
• Competency to recognize adverse signs and symptoms and to act promptly in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of pharmaceuticals, their desired effects, side effects, and complications in their use.
• Skills to apply scientific principles in operating and monitoring of basic and specialized medical equipment (ex: defibrillator, gastric and thoracic suction, EKG machines, ect.).
• Proficient in nursing procedures and basic nursing care.
• Oral and written communication skills, can enter and retrieve patient data accurately, can verbally communicate findings with healthcare team. 
• Ability to provide guidance, leadership, and work cooperatively with others by establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, and other healthcare team members.
• Ability to implement appropriate nursing therapeutic interventions based on the knowledge of a wide variety of nursing diagnosis, medical and psychosocial disorders, the normal course of disease and anticipated complications.
• Strong sound decision-making, critical thinking skills, long range planning and goal setting skills in order to provide both support and a vision for the department.