POSITION SUMMARY

The peri-anesthesia nurse is responsible for patient assessment, care, and teaching in preoperative and postoperative units.  As a nursing professional, uses the nursing process to care for patients.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

1.                   Reports directly to the Director of Clinical Services.

2.                   Responsible for Medical Assistants assigned to patient care.

3.                   Indirectly reports to the Center Director

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

1.                   Collaborates with other nursing staff in the pre-op, intra-op, and post-op areas as well as with ancillary staff such as but not limited to radiological technologist and medical assistant to provide safe, efficient patient care.

2.                   Collaborates with business office staff to efficiently admit patients.

3.                   May be a member of facility committees to assess and promote quality patient care.

4.                   Works cooperatively with all physicians utilizing the facility.  Promotes positive relations with physicians and their office staff.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1.                   Responsible for admitting and preparing patients for surgery and/or procedures

¨       Assures patient comprehension of the procedure.  This may include communication with family or support persons of the patient.

¨       Co-ordinates with business office staff for maintaining an efficient patient flow.

¨       Provides information and education to the patient.

¨       Completes nursing assessment and documentation

¨       Starts IV treatments as necessary.

2.             Responsible for the professional post-operative nursing care of the patient by utilizing the nursing care process and making a plan for patient care. Co-ordinates care with other disciplines involved in patient care.

¨       Assesses the patient’s recovering for sedation and/or anesthesia and makes appropriate judgments for nursing intervention.  Recognizes life threatening arrhythmias and initiates appropriate therapy and/or assures assistance.

¨       Monitors the patient’s level of consciousness through communication and appropriate observation of blood pressure, O2 saturation, cardiac and respiratory status.

¨       Performs venipuncture as necessary for IV restarts and administers medications as ordered by a physician.

¨       Prepares patient for discharge with post-operative instruction and teaching; discharges patient per appropriate orders.

3.             Makes plan for patient care.

¨       Makes assignments, teaches, and supervises care given by ancillary personnel.

¨       Using professional nursing care assesses the needs and status of the patient.

¨       Administers and controls narcotics and medications as appropriate.

¨       Maintains patient records and charts.

4.                   Evaluates outcomes and adjusts nursing care process as necessary in consultation with other nursing staff and physicians.  Participates in quality improvement activities.

5.                   Institutes emergency care as appropriate.

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