Registered Nurse - Pre-Admission Testing

The perioperative nurse in Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) is responsible for providing exceptional patient care and family support in preparing the patient for the perioperative experience. The pre-admitting RN is ultimately responsible for ensuring each patient is an appropriate candidate for their scheduled procedure at the AtlantiCare Surgery Center in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocols. This position provides the nursing staff and physician members of the healthcare team with the required past medical history and nursing assessment of the patient's overall health, including physician orders, any required lab tests, surgeon notes, history and physical exam. The PAT nurse collects and analyzes all patient data in order to establish the clinical overview and patient readiness for all surgical and invasive procedures.

This position supports organizational goals by providing quality customer service, participating in performance improvement efforts and demonstrating a commitment to teamwork and cooperation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; bachelor's in nursing preferred. Current licensure as a registered nurse in the state of New Jersey required. Ability to effectively communicate with others and adjust to changes within daily schedule of activities required.
• EXPERIENCE: 1-3 years of medical/surgical experience with strong assessment skills required. Ambulatory surgery and/or PAT experience preferred. Critical care experience preferred. Proficiency in clinical applications preferred at time of hire. Incumbents within position will be trained appropriately and then skill will be required for this position within 30-60 days from date of hire.

JOB KNOWLEDGE
General knowledge of areas of responsibilities. Knowledge of organizational policies, regulations and procedures to support medical providers. Skill in preparing and maintaining records. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, families, medical staff and the public. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations. Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures. Ability to communicate clearly. Good organizational/prioritizing skills. Computer literate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF JOB
Requires full range of body motion, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Requires sitting, standing, bending, stooping, carrying and walking for prolonged periods of time.

• Judgment and Initiative: Requires considerable mental effort for decision-making and problem solving with multiple interruptions.
• Independent Action: Must work independently to adapt to situations to achieve desired outcomes.

PRINCIPAL JOB RESPONSIBILITES

• Promotes the mission, vision and values of the organization.
• Understands and works within AtlantiCare Surgery Center policies and procedures.
• Strong computer skills.
• Communicates effectively with anesthesiologists, physicians, surgeons and endoscopists regarding AtlantiCare and total care of the patient.
• Is knowledgeable in use and dosage of medications.
• Records all pertinent information accurately and efficiently.
• Develops an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.
• Implements the plan of care by:
  • Reviewing patient's history and physical:
    • Enters patient's medical and surgical history into the medical record.
    • Reviews patient history to ensure patient is an appropriate candidate for AtlantiCare Surgery Center.
    • For those patients who have multiple co-morbidities, request that chart is reviewed by the Executive Medical Director or designee for approval at the AtlantiCare Surgery Center.
  • Entering patient's current medications into the medical record and reviewing for accuracy with patient on the pre-op call.
  • Completing pre-op telephone call with patient, including all pertinent instructions for procedure, including having a responsible individual escort the patient home and recommending the patient have a responsible adult available for the first twenty-four (24) hours following discharge.
  • Communicating the patient's current status to the appropriate parties throughout the continuum of care.
  • Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person.

Demonstrates the competencies as established on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool for this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The essential functions for this position are listed on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports to department leadership.

The above statement reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.