PRE ADMIT TESTING RN- PRE ADMIT TESTING

Pre-Admit Testing Nurse Position

Status: PRN - As Needed Shift: Monday through Friday, day shift as needed Exempt: No

Summary: Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and be currently licensed by the State Board of Nurse Examiners and worked within Surgical Services for a minimum of two years preferably. BLS certification is required. Membership in ASPAN is encouraged. A positive supportive attitude and a team member approach are required.

Quality and Patient Safety: In every surgical patients journey, a well-run preoperative assessment clinic (PAC) is an essential first step in ensuring excellence in quality and patient safety. JOPAN May 2011

Responsibilities:

• The Pre-Admit Testing nurse is responsible for the education of the patient prior to surgical diagnostic procedures, in addition to utilizing interview and assessment techniques to identify potential or actual problems.
• Identified actual or potential problems are communicated to the proceduralist and/or anesthesiologist as applicable.
• Patient education and interventions are initiated to optimize positive outcomes.
• All patients are interviewed by the Pre-Admit Testing nurse prior to a scheduled procedure.

Pre-Admit Testing Responsibilities:

• Obtain required pre-op documents, including pre-op orders from the proceduralist and anesthesiologist if applicable.
• Perform ordered pre-op testing, including EKG and venipuncture/line draws for lab testing, as well as MRSA screening.
• Communicate with providers regarding any additional patient needs, including but not limited to any abnormal labs, x-rays, or EKG findings.

Hours of Operation: Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed on holidays and weekends.

Standards of Nursing Practice:

• Provides quality patient education as outlined in the ASPAN Standard of Care, department policies, and procedures, and North Oaks Standards of Practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide education to the age of the patients served.
• Addresses supports and respects cultural practices if such practices do not harm others or interfere with the planned course of medical therapy.
• Successfully complete yearly Vendor Fair as well as any department-specific competency training.

Other Responsibilities:

• Fiscal Management:
• Utilizes supplies and materials in a cost-effective manner.
• Monitors levels of inventory in accordance with established desired quantities.
• Maintains appropriate staffing levels.
• Operational Functions:
• Assists in the orientation of new employees.
• Ensures individual skills are current by attending relative and educational programs.
• Assists department nurse manager in maintenance of policies and procedures.
• Schedules assignments of personnel as applicable.
• Assists in data collection and report writing as applicable.
• Assists Charge Nurse as assigned.
• Responsible for patient/family teaching and documentation in the appropriate section of the EMR.
• Demonstrates quality leadership abilities.
• Functions as an Agent of Change, serving as a mentor for nurses desiring to work as pre-op educators.
• Completes Pain Assessment on all patients.
• Instructs patient on use of pain scale.
• Provides education to patients and family members by means of verbal instruction, written instruction, and use of videos when available.
• Responsible for pre-op order entry into the EMR for faxed physician orders.
• Responsible for completing ordered pre-op testing, including EKG and venipuncture/line draws for lab testing, as well as MRSA screening.

Surgical Services Environment:

• Maintains a safe environment by adherence to safety principles.
• Participates in departmental fire and disaster.
• Complies with infection prevention guidelines.
• Accurately records information that reflects peri-operative nursing care given by the Pre-Admit Testing nurse.
• Documents activities other than direct nursing care that may affect the patients outcome.

Performance Improvement:

• Assists in the identification of patient-related potential problem areas for referral for quality review.
• Monitors established quality review indicators for compliance as assigned.
• Participates as assigned in the department Performance Improvement Committee.
• Attends committee meetings as designated.
• Attends in-service programs.
• Attends and participates in departmental staff meetings.

Adherence to Policies and Procedures:

• Responsible for adherence to hospital policies and procedures for self and personnel under their supervision.
• Complies with attendance policies.
• Adheres to acceptable dress code and rules of conduct.
• Reports incidents and injuries appropriately.
• Knowledgeable of all hospital safety codes and performs duties during drills and actual emergencies.
• Reports unsafe conditions and incidents.
• Provides a clean environment.
• Follows North Oaks Health Systems legal compliance programs and Federal and State guidelines.
• Patients are charged appropriately for services rendered.
• Supports North Oaks Health Systems patient confidentiality issues, in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.

Critical Thinking and Leadership:

• Extends courtesy and commitment to others in interpersonal relationships.
• Compassionate caregiver.
• Demonstrates a professional manner in the work setting.
• Accepts and acts upon constructive criticism to upgrade abilities.
• Channels suggestions, criticisms, and questions to appropriate persons.
• Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, Director.
• Seeks clarification of duties when indicated.
• Shares knowledge with others.
• Displays effective problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities.
• Displays and utilizes conflict resolution skills.
• Encouraged to support nursing organizations as an active member.
• Communicates well with physicians, office staff, as well as co-workers, patients, and visitors.

Other Duties:

• Patient/family education and preparation of patient to perform care at home.
• Discharge teaching is conducted during pre-op interview.