Position Summary
This position is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of the Surgery Coordinator, Preoperative RN and Postoperative RN. The Surgery Coordinator is responsible for the coordination and management of scheduling surgical procedures. This position acts as a key liaison between patients, healthcare providers, and surgical teams to ensure surgeries are scheduled efficiently and all necessary preparations are in place. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities. When fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of the Preoperative RN and Postoperative RN this position will provide surgical patient care by assessing, planning, and implementing the nursing care patients receive before and after surgery.
Key Accountabilities
Surgery Coordinator Duties
- Initiates Prior Authorization when an order for Surgery is received.
- Collaborates with the Director of Surgical Services on scheduling and any prior authorization concerns.
- Coordinate patient placement and scheduling, prioritizing patients by severity and provider requirements to appropriately schedule patients.
- Collaborate with the clinics to receive orders for procedures along with obtaining pertinent patient and procedural information.
- Creates Periwinkles for cases that require specialized equipment and or the presence of a company representative.
- Complete pre-operative education including procedure date/times, medication instructions, perioperative instructions as needed to prepare the patient for surgery.
- Reviews patient history including medication, allergies, procedures, underlying comorbidities and anesthesia experiences.
- Communicates with CRNA regarding patient history. Follows instructions to obtain further patient records, holding/administration of patient’s home medication and approval for surgery following the appropriate workflow.
- Responsible for the communication of arrival times for the patients.
- Coordinates Joint Camp which involves communication and scheduling with Physical Therapy, Pharmacy and Case Management.
- Works effectively as a team member within the facility to provide quality service to hospital departments through communication, cooperation, and collaboration.
- Works effectively in the EHR to communicate with appropriate staff and scheduling of surgical cases.
- Comply with organizational policies, regulatory and accreditation standards, and professional guidelines
- Exhibit professional interpersonal and communication skills.
- Maintain a good relationship and facilitate team dynamics with physicians, hospital staff, and members of surgical services team.
- Maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
- Perform duties as assigned by the Director of Surgical Services.
Preoperative and Postoperative RN duties
Possesses, maintains, and utilizes surgical knowledge in preoperative phase and the postoperative phase to ensure AORN standards are followed.
Comply with organizational policies, regulatory and accreditation standards, and professional guidelines.
Assesses physical and emotional needs of patients and implements appropriate nursing interventions. Completes the nursing pre-assessment record, including confirmation of allergies, medications taken at home, dentures, contact lenses, glasses, pertinent medical conditions listed, pertinent past medical history listed, confirmations of consent and operative site, confirmation of responsible party and confirmation of ordered labs/test results on chart.
Respects the patient’s right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
Assists the patient in undressing if needed and stores belongings appropriately.
Assesses or performs the following vital signs, admission weight and height, blood glucose monitoring and pregnancy test, if applicable, starts an IV on all patients, except those who have an order not to start an IV, utilizing anesthesia protocol regarding IV fluids and catheter size and assesses pain level.
Perform pre-operative instruction and explanation of procedures and patient’s rights.
Ensure that patients are evaluated by the anesthesia provider and the provider performing the procedure prior to being transported to the O.R. Make sure that the consents are signed with time and date appropriately by the patient, witness and providers.
Sets priorities to facilitate the timely and efficient flow of patients throughout the day.
Performs physician/anesthesia orders.
Always maintains the PACU area in a state of readiness, ensuring that all necessary equipment is available and in good working order, with age specific supplies ready for use as needed.
Assess patients on admission to PACU for the following patent airway, respirations, vital signs, level of consciousness according to the Aldrete scale and level of pain.
Assesses and record vital signs per hospital policy.
Uses appropriate devices and techniques to assist patient’s respirations and maintains optimum blood oxygen saturation.
Assess surgical site for bleeding, reinforce dressing and notify physician if increased drainage.
Able to assess and treat post-operative pain effectively.
Assesses and records intake and output of all fluids.
Performs physician/anesthesia orders.
Assesses patient for transfer from PACU when Aldrete score is at “8” with no “0” in any category.
Responds appropriately to emergency situations, recognizing the need for assistance and obtaining support from anesthesia personnel and/or physician as needed.
Maintains confidentiality of all pertinent patient care information to assure the patient’s rights are protected.
Demonstrates commitment to excellence in patient, family, and physician relations.
Acts as the nursing advocate for the patient, upholding the patient’s rights.
Communicates appropriate information to other members of the health care team in a timely manner.
Exhibit professional interpersonal and communication skills.
Maintain a good relationship and facilitate team dynamics with physicians, hospital staff, and members of surgical services team.
Maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
Is knowledgeable about and responsive to emergency situations, i.e., cardiac arrest, malignant hyperthermia, drug reaction, fire, disaster, etc.
Assist anesthesia provider with block procedures.
Comply with attendance requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
- Unrestricted Registered Nurse License with Nebraska Board of Nursing or a compact state is required.
- BLS, ACLS, PALS certifications or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
About Gothenburg Health
Gothenburg Health is a critical access hospital and clinics located in Gothenburg, Nebraska. This is an opportunity to join an innovative and positive work culture with a growing healthcare provider with unparalleled passion. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package that includes vacation and sick leave, extended illness, health insurance, paid life insurance, paid long term disability, and a defined contribution retirement plan with an employer match.
Apply now online to begin your journey with Gothenburg Health.
