Registered Nurse OR ($37.32 - $46.65)

Lewis County General Hospital is seeking full time Registered Nurses for immediate openings in the OR Department.  The work involves responsibility for performing a variety of professional nursing tasks involved in patient care and as a member of the perioperative nursing team including the roles of circulating and scrub nurse.  The work is performed under general supervision with leeway allowed in the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the details of the work.  Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

· Assesses the number and levels of personnel needed to provide quality patient care to each surgical patient.

· Assesses the nursing care required for each procedure, identifying potential problems and any need for improvements.

·  Assesses the health care status of each patient via the following methods.

•    Pre-op nursing assessment

•    Pre-op anesthesia assessment

•    Pre-op lab, x-ray EKG and other pertinent study results.

· Recognizes and assesses any compromise in that patient’s body systems and verbalizes this among members of the surgical team

·  Assists in reviewing and revising policies and procedures as requested by Head Nurse.

·  Plans methods of solving problems and making improvement in department, in collaboration with Head Nurse.

·  Identifies patient’s present/potential problems from patient’s assessment.

·  Assists with orientation of new employees.

·  Contributes to the educational experience of students assigned to the OR.

·  Assists in developing, reviewing, and revising unit policies and procedures as required.

·  Participates in OR Performance Improvement Program, as required.

· Able to perform all duties required of both a circulating and scrub nurse in accordance with established procedures, as required.

·  Capable of acting rapidly and efficiently, managing self, patient and other employees during an emergency.

·  Attends all mandatory and significant elective inservice programs.

·  Is BLS and ACLS certified.

·  Is knowledgeable of location, care and use of all equipment/supplies.

·  Is knowledgeable of sterile/aseptic technique and recognizes and corrects any breaks in this technique.

·  Is always available and accessible when on duty or on call.

·  Conforms to department dress code.

·  Is rarely sick or absent from work due to illness and prompt.

· Is knowledgeable of sterilization procedures (steam and gas) – including the cleaning, packaging and sterilization of equipment and supplies, chemical and biological monitoring.

·  Does pre-op nursing evaluations on surgical patients, as required.

·  Serves on committees and special projects, as required.

· Assumes role of charge nurse in Head Nurse’s absence.

·  Cross-trained in PACU/ASU, as required.

·  Utilizes hospital computerized Information Management System, as required.

· Performs any other duties as deemed appropriate to this position by Head Nurse, Supervisor, or Director of Acute Care Services.

 FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of modern public health nursing and clinical practices; good knowledge of auxiliary and support services available to provide for the total health care of patients; application of modern nursing techniques and medical equipment used in providing nursing care; ability to develop and implement a nursing care plan; ability to communicate effectively with other staff and patients and their families; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others; ability to participate in assigned projects and lay-out work for others; ability to organize and maintain accurate records and files; ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others; good powers of observation; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Licensure and current registration as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State.

We offer competitive salaries, outstanding shift differentials, and a great benefit package including NY State Retirement System, affordable health insurance for full and part time employees. Applicants may forward resume to: Human Resources, Lewis County Health System, 7785 N. State St., Lowville, NY 13367 or Email: hr@lcgh.net. LCHS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.