CLINICAL NURSE I - STROGER PERIOPERATIVE SERVICES

About the position

The Operating Room Clinical Nurse I 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.

Responsibilities

• Performs in scrub or circulating role.
• Checks the following day’s assignments to be prepared in anatomy, the surgeon’s preference, and sequence of procedure.
• 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 staff.
• 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.
• Assesses the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient; provides physical and emotional support.
• Assists patients in moving to the O.R. table; requests assistance if necessary for moving and/or positioning.
• Keeps noise level to a minimum.
• Assures surgeon and assistant are present in the operating room before anesthesia begins.
• Performs pre-induction and pre-incision time out.
• Assesses patient skin integrity on arrival to and prior to transfer from O.R.
• Assists in positioning of the patient.
• Properly places grounding pad.
• 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 checked.
• Maintains an ongoing assessment of supplies needed on the surgical field vs. supplies in the room.
• Ensures instrument, needle, and sponge counts are performed.
• 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.
• Documents all supplies, implants and medications used during procedure.
• Remains in the operating room at all times unless properly relieved by another Registered Nurse.
• Cleans patient, applies dressings, and connects drains.
• Completes and documents all nursing interventions performed in the operating room.
• Transfers patient to gurney.
• 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 the specimen refrigerator.
• Assists in collecting equipment for workroom.
• 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.

Requirements

• Licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois.
• One (1) year of Operating Room experience within the past six years OR proof of completing a Senior Synthesis or Capstone rotation in the Operating Room or Perioperative Services.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited college or university.
• Two (2) years of Cardiothoracic OR experience in the scrub and circulating roles.
• Two (2) years of Neurosurgery OR experience in the scrub and circulating roles.
• Two (2) years of Vascular OR experience in the scrub and circulating roles.
• Two (2) years of Orthopedic OR experience in the scrub and circulating roles.
• One (1) year of OR robotics experience in the scrub and circulating roles.
• Certification in Perioperative nursing.
• Bilingual.

Benefits

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