Registered Nurse - Ambulatory (Colorectal Surgery)

Job Responsibility 1. Conducts patient interview, explains policies and procedures to patient/ significant others, reviews patient’s chart and answers questions correctly and courteously; assesses gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and neurological health status; determines mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition and adjusts plan of care, as appropriate, assesses level of pain and pain management; communicates/documents patient’s physiologic health status and plan of care; 2. Assesses patient’s psychosocial health status; elicits perception of medical/nursing care and the expectation of care; determines coping mechanism, knowledge level, and ability to comprehend; identifies cultural/ethnic requirements to reduce anxiety and ensure patient satisfaction; communicates and documents psychological status and care plan of support groups, counseling services, and social services; 3. Identifies patient outcome; develops criteria for measurement of patient outcomes; identifies actual/potential patient problems; identifies patient’s need for teaching based on psychosocial and developmental assessment. Develops patient outcome statement (s) and establishes individualized patient goals; 4. Identifies care activities and establishes the priorities necessary to achieve expected outcome; coordinates the cost-effective use of supplies, equipment and medication to achieve expected outcome; documents the plan of care and collaborates with physicians and other health team members; 5. Implements the plan of care; maintains constant vigilance over patients care to ensure that safety precautions/needs are followed (side rails up, call lights and bedside stand within reach, etc.; exercises professional skills related to the plan of care; reassesses patients as needed and appropriately revises plan of care; correctly administers prescribed treatments; correctly uses equipment necessary for patient care; provides emotional support to patient and significant other; applies scientific principles in performing procedures; carries them out safely, timely and efficiently; makes accurate observations of patient’s conditions during treatments/procedures; reports and records same as appropriate; keeps accurate documentation of patient’s treatment, activity and condition, as well as patient’s responses to medical and nursing interventions; uses appropriate methods of documentation according to departmental policy; acts rapidly and effectively during any emergency situation, managing self, patients and other employees; provides a calm, quiet, restful atmosphere; communicates effectively with the patient’s family or caretakers; participates in planning for discharge and coordinates referrals, as appropriate; provides discharge instructions to patient and significant other; evaluates care provided for patient outcome. 6. Demonstrates ability to measure effectiveness of care provided and documents same; performs variance analysis related to outcome data for performance improvement; designs, implements, and evaluates systems to improve care in unit; keeps accurate documentation of patient’s treatment, activity and condition; uses appropriate methods of documentation according to departmental policy.