FLOAT POOL CLINICAL NURSE - STROGER HOSPITAL - OPERATING ROOM - AHP

PLEASE BE ADVISED that this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the National Nurses Organizing Committee. Pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, Cook County will exhaust internal eligible applicants prior to considering external applicants. Cook County is assembling a list of qualified candidates for this position that will be considered should the position not be filled with internal eligible applicants.

LOCATION: John H. Stroger Jr Hospital

DEPARTMENT: Nursing Staffing Float Pool

PAY RANGE: $36.720 - $50.039

Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

JOB SUMMARY: UNION (NNOC)

The Float Pool Clinical Nurse is specially trained to practice nursing during the Perioperative period. The dimensions of practice range from preoperative assessment to intra operative intervention to postoperative evaluation. It is practice designed to meet a patient's needs through the nursing process, ensuring continuity of care during the surgical experience. The Float Pool Clinical Nurse will receive a daily notification of the assigned facility location to support the continuity of care throughout Cook County Health (CCH).

Typical Duties

• Receives notification from Staffing Office to obtain daily assigned facility location.
• Responsible for floating throughout the hospital and/or multiple facilities to provide nursing care in the following primary areas Medical/Surgical, Telemetry, Step-down, Critical Care, Emergency Department, PACU, Ambulatory Procedures, Maternal Child, Labor and Delivery and Neonatal Intensive Care or any other area for which you have competency.

Day of Surgery

• Checks the following day's assignments so as to be prepared in anatomy, the surgeon's preference, and sequence of procedure. If special instrumentation or prosthetics are requested, ensure they have arrived and familiar with usage

• Demonstrates clinical competencies (circulating and scrub roles) in provision of patient care consistent with the Perioperative Nurse competencies and best practices in Perioperative Nursing care.

• Attends report at scheduled time

• Damp dusts operating room surfaces

• Checks supplies against preference cards, obtaining any missing items

• Ensures that required blood products are readily available in the Blood Bank

• Opens sterile supplies with scrub nurse/ O.R. Technician

• Performs initial baseline counts according to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital (JSH) Policy and Procedures

• Checks spotlights, connects suctions, and electrical equipment

• Greets patients in Pre-Op area and receives hand-off communication from Pre-Op nurse; refers the Pre-Op admission policy; assures patients are in operating room fifteen (15) minutes before scheduled start of surgery

• Checks patient documentation preoperatively to ensure that chart is complete with: all appropriate consents signed, proper patient identification and verified with Pre-Op during hand off; Labs/X-ray, etc. (refers to policy)

• Assesses the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient; provides physical and emotional support, as needed; explains routines and procedures to patients, as needed

• Assists patients in moving to the O.R. table; requests assistance if necessary for moving and/or positioning; secures safety belt

• Keeps noise level to a minimum

• Assures surgeon and assistant (if applicable) are present in the operating room before anesthesia begins; remains next to the patient during anesthesia induction; assists anesthesiologist, as needed

• Performs pre-induction and pre-incision time out, checks with surgical team and anesthesia staff

• Assesses patient skin integrity on arrival to and prior to transfer from O.R.

• Assists in positioning of the patient

• Properly places grounding pad; refer to Electrosurgical Policy

• Performs skin prep per departmental policy

• Assists in gowning surgeons, assistants, etc.

• Connects suction and electrosurgical unit

• Pours medications on back table: ensures labels on all solutions and medications are to be checked by both scrub and circulating personnel; ensures expiration date is reviewed by both the scrub and circulating personnel; ensures Anesthesiologist is notified whenever Xylocaine, Cocaine, Neosynephrine, or other similar drugs are on the field

• Maintains an ongoing assessment of supplies needed on the surgical field vs. supplies in the room

• Ensures instrument, needle, and sponge counts are performed in the event of permanent relief of either the scrub person or the circulating nurse

• Contacts Holding area to call for the next scheduled case prior to closure of case in progress

• Notifies Control Desk if room is running late and may delay the next scheduled surgery

• Documents all supplies, implants and medications used during procedure

• Remains in the operating room at all times unless properly relieved by another Registered Nurse (if case in progress mandates leaving OR to secure additional supplies, notifies scrub nurse prior to exiting the room)

• Prepares tape for dressings, gurney, and suction towards the end of procedure

• Accurately performs and documents final sponge, needs, and instrument count with scrub person according to JSH Policy

• Cleans patient, applies dressings, and connects drains

• Assists anesthesiologist (i.e., extubation)

• Completes and documents all nursing interventions performed in the operating room

• Transfers patient to gurney

End of Procedure

• Cleans and stocks room

• Ensures all sutures, and supplies are returned to their proper place

• Returns furniture to its designated area

• Returns equipment to its designated storage area

• Ensures specimen(s) and slips have been transported to, and placed in, the specimen refrigerator

• Assists in collecting equipment for workroom

• Assists in cleaning of operating room

• Completes documentation and submits to Main Operating Room Office

• Signs out of Operating Room

• Documents time next case is scheduled in the room

• Performs special weekly assignments, as needed

Clinical Work Activities

• Supports the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, Department of Nursing Philosophy and goals

• Assumes responsibility of individual clinical competence and continuing education

• Participates in educational activities to increase competency

• Acts as a role model/preceptor for staff, orientees, and students in collaboration with other nursing staff and the clinical instructor

• Participates in staff nurse meetings, unit conferences, patient care conferences, etc., to coordinate nursing and medical management of patient care

• Seeks involvement in committees and professional organizations

• Provides care that demonstrates ethical beliefs and respect for patient rights

• Incorporates current research into nursing practice

• Supports research efforts conducted within the division/department

• Contributes to the efficient management operation of the Perioperative area

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois or the ability to obtain two weeks before start date, is required.

• A minimum of one (1) year of Operating Room nursing experience within the last five (5) years, required.

• A minimum of one (1) year of Medical/Surgical nursing experience within the last five (5) years, required.

• Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification or able to obtain one within two (2) weeks of starting, required. (Must provide proof at the time of interview if already obtained)

• Position may require moderate travel for which the employee must have a valid driver's license/insured vehicle or other equivalent means of transportation for work, required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university, preferred.
• Certification in Perioperative nursing, preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES and OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:

• Demonstrates working knowledge of the current requirements of accrediting and regulatory agencies

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills necessary to a variety of people from different socio-economic backgrounds

• Strong emergency response skills

• Strong customer service and empathy skills

• Demonstrate analytical and organizational, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict management/resolution skills

• Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision

• Ability to resolve complex patient/administration problems and research issues

• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize projects and tasks

• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged

• Ability to function autonomously and as a team member in a multidisciplinary team

• Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction)

• Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odor and temperature

• Ability to walk extensively, lift moderately heavy objects, and climb stairs

• Ability to consistently push, pull, twist, turn, bend, kneel, stoop, lift and reach above shoulder and stand for prolonged periods of time.

• Ability to make appropriate and timely decisions in a crisis or emergency situation

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a variety of individuals

• Ability to perform and/or direct cardiopulmonary resuscitation activities

• Demonstrates accountability and collaborative practice with co-workers, other disciplines, and departments.

• Demonstrates accountability for professional growth and job performance by seeking opportunities to enhance job skills and knowledge.

• Maintains and advances the professional image of nursing and the practice of professional nursing

• Works collaboratively with all hospital services to accomplish daily work and maintain an environment of excellence.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable.

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference.

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for nursing-related programs

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

MUST MEET REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION

• Degrees awarded outside the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.
• Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
• CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER