Position Summary

Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the operating room and other areas of perioperative services for all pediatric and geriatric populations. Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment. Communicates with surgeon and anesthesia provider continuously and as needed about patient condition. Assists with the maintenance of surgical equipment and inventory. Participate in performance improvement activities. Assesses operating room for equipment functioning and readiness, obtains supplies for individual cases and ensures all appropriate needs of the surgical operating team are met. Monitors, positions and assists patient during procedure. 

Key Accountabilities

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization. 

• Must be able to demonstrate and model the Standards of Behavior as set forth by Gothenburg Health, Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

• Possesses, maintains, and utilizes surgical knowledge in preoperative phase and the postoperative phase to ensure AORN standards are followed.

• Perioperative Nurses/Circulator have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Assess patients at intervals as stated in policies and procedures.

• Develop an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.

• Implement the plan of care by

• Protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources.

• Performing accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items.

• Performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level.

• Managing the patient’s specimens according to organizational policy and procedures

• Communicating the patient’s status to relevant parties throughout the continuum of care.

• Administering medications safely and correctly

• Performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels

• Performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels

• Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period.

• Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period.

• Performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection

• Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person.

• Providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedures. 

• Involving the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care and the rehabilitation process.

• Protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy.

• Providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and

• Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.

• Evaluate the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes

• Transfer care as applicable

• Delegate tasks according to the state Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions.

• Document nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly.

• Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as applicable.

• Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects.

• Participate in the performance appraisal process.

• Use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.

• Maintain required competencies.

• Pursuing professional growth and participating in a professional organization

• Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information. 

• 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.

• Participates in overall surgery department functions.

• Follows appropriate policies/procedures.

• Training fresh staff as needed.

• Attends and participates in staff meetings and attends annual education in-services as required.

• Is knowledgeable about and responsive to emergency situations, i.e., cardiac arrest, malignant hyperthermia, drug reaction, fire, disaster, etc.

• Comply with attendance requirements.

• Demonstrates an awareness of safe conditions and safe acts as related to hospital employment.

• Maintains professional competency through appropriate continuing education. 

• Participates in Performance Improvement activities. 

• This position may be required to function in the role of the Perioperative Registered Nurse Pre-Op/PACU. Please see the additional job description for that role. 

• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

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 with 30 days of hire. NRP encouraged.

About Gothenburg Health

Gothenburg Health is a critical access hospital and clinics located in Gothenburg, Nebraska.  This is an opportunity to join a 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.