Position Summary:
The Registered Professional Nurse is responsible for the assessment, documentation, and evaluation of the plan of care for the patient during the perioperative phase of surgery. This individual demonstrates the ability to prioritize duties and responsibilities in his/her performance as a patient advocate. The Registered Professional Nurse works in collaboration with the medical, anesthesia, managerial, and clinical staff in order to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

The Registered Professional Nurse must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. The Registered Professional Nurse must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span, possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status, interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's policies and procedures. This individual further contributes to nursing and the Medical Center through support of the philosophy and objectives.

Education:
Registered Nurse, graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Experience:
Knowledge of general nursing principles and practices, current general and ophthalmology-specific trends in perioperative nursing care, and organizational guidelines and procedures. Surgical experience preferred.

Licensure:
Current licensure to practice nursing in the State of Tennessee.

The Nurse Licensure Compact will not change how to obtain or renew a Tennessee license. However, the Tennessee nursing license will be a single state license for Tennessee Residents or non-compact state residents. Tennessee licensure or multistate licensure from a compact state must be obtained within three months of hire for non-Tennessee residents.

Core Competencies:
Ability to adapt knowledge of nursing principles and practice to the execution of safe patient care during the perioperative phase. Possession of sound judgment and organizational abilities, and above-average written and oral communication skills. Ability to maintain pleasant demeanor and tact when dealing with all customer populations.

Completes patient assessment and appropriate documentation
Selects, develops, and individualizes the perioperative plan of care
Implements and evaluates the perioperative plan of care with appropriate documentation
Administers medications with knowledge of drug interactions and documents in the perioperative record
Demonstrates principles of asepsis
Displays knowledge of growth and development in order to provide age appropriate care
Demonstrates the ability to assess and interpret lab values, including panic levels and ABGs
Displays knowledge of normal and pathological anatomy
Assesses, evaluates, documents and properly communicates patients' levels of pain
Communicates effectively with the surgical care team and other departments regarding patient care needs
Displays critical thinking skills and anticipates perioperative care needs
Maintains current knowledge of professional trends and technology through documented attendance of departmental inservices
Displays initiative in seeking information presented at inservices not attended
Operates appropriate equipment as required to implement the perioperative plan of care
Displays knowledge and understanding of process improvement and integrates information into professional practice
Identifies and reports unusual, unplanned, and/or complex situations (i.e. sentinel events)
Complies with the policy and procedure for correct surgical site designation
Ensures Authorization for Treatment/Invasive Procedures and Blood Administration paperwork is present and complete with appropriate signatures, including physician signature
Ensures appropriate history and physical is present and on chart prior to surgery
Demonstrates basic computer skills
Functions in emergent/traumatic situations utilizing critical thinking skills
Assumes charge nurse responsibilities as assigned or requested
Seeks opportunities to learn additional tasks
Assumes on-call and late duty as assigned
Completes perioperative record in a timely manner
Communicates appropriate patient information to post-operative clinical staff
Communicates patient status to family members throughout the perioperative phase