Position Summary

The Pre-Op/Admitting nurse provides nursing care to patients being admitted for surgery. The nursing role during this phase focuses on assessing, identifying, and solving nursing care and preoperative problems. The nurse is responsible for starting and monitoring IVs, administering pre-operative medications and performing pre-operative instruction and explanation of patient’s rights and procedures. They must always facilitate and demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues and supervisors. The PACU, Phase 2 nurse provides nursing care to patients returning from surgery. The nursing role during this phase focuses on assisting the patient through the transition from an anesthetized state to an awake condition. The nurse is responsible for assisting and maintaining adequate ventilation, homeostasis, and circulation; assessing level of consciousness, providing pain management, and ensuring the safety of the patient until transferred to another unit or discharged.  He/she must always facilitate and demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues and supervisors. 

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/Admitting will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• 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 prior to being transported to the O.R.

• Sets priorities to facilitate the timely and efficient flow of patients throughout the day.

• Performs physician/anesthesia orders.

Perioperative RN, PACU, Phase 2 RN will have the following job duties and responsibilities:

• 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 records vital signs every 5 minutes and Aldrete scale every 15 minutes.

• 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 scale 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.

• Assists or covers in Pre-Op/Admitting or Operating Room areas as needed and directed by the Director of Surgical Services.

• 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, including, but not limited to:

• Follows appropriate Pre-Op/Admitting policies/procedures.

• Training fresh staff as needed.

• Attends and participates in staff meetings.

• 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.

• Assist anesthesia provider with block procedures.

• 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. 

• 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.