Registered Nurse - Surgical Services at Mahaska Health

At Mahaska Health, the Surgical Services Registered Nurse plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality patient care in a hospital setting, particularly within the surgical department. In this critical position, nurses are responsible for providing compassionate and competent care to patients undergoing surgical procedures, ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the entire process. The Surgical Services Registered Nurse collaborates with a multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals, to develop and implement individualized care plans tailored to the specific needs of each patient. This role requires a deep understanding of surgical protocols, aseptic techniques, and postoperative care, along with the ability to respond effectively to emergencies and complications that may arise during surgery. 

Hours: Full-time – Days (4 10-hour shifts)

Essential job responsibilities include but are not limited to,

• Communicate pertinent information regarding patient’s status to appropriate interdisciplinary team members, in a timely manner.
• Accurately transcribe and communicate oral and written physician orders.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team in order to expedite the procedure, thus minimizing the patient’s exposure to trauma.
• Participates in the team to assure the surgical schedule starts on time and utilizes all efforts to maintain a timely schedule.
• Understands the actions and use of anesthetic agents.
• Prepare and know the specific uses of all equipment and supplies for surgical procedures.
• Assists with statistical record keeping, proper charging of procedures, and participates in PI indicators/goals.
• Procedures in OR; Special positioning of patients.
• Pre-operative assessment and completion of surgical checklist.
• Prepare room for surgery.
• Assist with anesthesia.
• Follows the procedures of appropriate counts, according to AORN guidelines.
• Follows AORN recommended guidelines regarding sterile technique.
• Provide a safe and efficient environment for the post-operative/post-procedure patient.
• Carries out immediate post-operative orders of the attending physician.
• Safely prepare, administer, and document medications and IV therapy.
• Assess and document physical, psychological, spiritual and social dimensions of patients on admission.
• Establish treatment priorities based on medical and nursing diagnosis.
• Assess for and provide patient and family education at their level of understanding regarding disease process and treatment plan.
• Implement clinical and technical aspects of care and nursing orders in accordance with established standards.
• Initiate, implement, and modify an interdisciplinary plan of care individualized to each patients assessed needs including family.
• Develop initiative to acquire and explore new surgical procedures and subjects relating to the operating room and to the surgical patients.
• Utilize all available resources in planning care and consults as necessary with physicians, supervisors, and interdisciplinary services.
• Provide ongoing reassessment and documentation of patient's status.
• Perceive patient problems and/or complications through assessment skills and implement appropriate action.
• Prepares records for procedures for the next working day to include health history from patient, pertinent old records from HIM, and surgical consent.
• Accomplish pre-operative teaching with patients prior to the day of surgery.
• Assist with One Day Surgery as needed.
• Assists with cleaning schedule and checking for outdates.
• Completes daily check of narcotics and CRX drugs.
• Restocking of supplies in work area assigned daily.
• Assist in the mentoring and orientation of new personnel to unit.
• Document nursing intervention and patient response.

Job Requirements include but are not limited to,

• A graduate from an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of Iowa (or) a graduate from an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed as a Registered Nurse able to work in the state of Iowa.
• Required to be current in BLS (Basic Life Support) by the standards of the American Heart Association.
• Required to be certified in ALS (Advanced Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) within 1 year of hire.
• Required to show proof of having completed Mandatory Reporter course at the time of hire or attend within 6 months of start date.
• Must adhere to all training requirements as mandated by Federal, State, and Professional licensure and regulatory standards.