RN - Pre-Surgical Testing (PST)

Required Skills & Experience:
-Three (3) or more years of experience in an operating room setting, PACU setting or critical care setting.
-Ability to effectively communicate in English both verbally and written.
-Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills.
-Strong clinical assessment skills.
-Ability to multi-task, prioritize.
-Attention to detail.
-Organized work approach.
-Team oriented attitude.
-Proficient in basic computer skills.
-Ability to adapt to an ever changing environment.
-Exceptional customer service techniques.

Preferred Education:
-Bachelor's degree in Nursing.

Required Certifications & Licensure:
-NYS RN License.
-Basic Life Support certification.

Job Summary:
Responsible and accountable for utilizing the nursing process in the provision of safe, compassionate, and quality care of patients who will undergo ambulatory surgical procedures including patient teaching and physical and psychological preparation and assisting in the efficient operation of the unit and acting as a liaison between the patient and healthcare team.

Job Responsibilities:
-Performs assessment, data and specimen collection in an ongoing systematic manner focusing on physiologic, cognitive and cultural diversity of the patient.
-Ensure patient identification by checking patient identifiers.
-Verifies procedure, consent, NPO status, allergies.
-Performs point of care testing as directed per physician's orders.
-Communicates collected data including laboratory results, EKG, chest x-ray, echocardiogram and medical clearance if applicable to the healthcare team or anesthesiologist.
-Communicates identified problems to the healthcare team or anesthesiologist and Instructs patients on prescribed interventions.
-Collaborate with surgeons and other members of the healthcare team in planning interventions to meet patient and family needs.
-Educates and instructs the ambulatory surgical patient utilizing knowledge of surgical procedures and effects of anesthetic agents and completes electronic documentation.
-Assists patients in understanding the surgical process.
-Acts as a resource to answer patient questions.
-Creates and maintains patient charts including chart preparation and filing.
-Ensures all needed documents and test results are present on patient charts prior to scheduled procedure and takes appropriate action to prevent delays to the operating room.
-Places telephone calls to preoperative patients the afternoon prior to surgery to provide arrival time and reinforce preoperative instructions.
-Performs other duties as required.