1. Clinical skills
• Maintains basic knowledge and skills in all perioperative-specialty areas; takes call and shift rotation.
• Maintains expertise in designated specialty or area of responsibility.
• Serves as primary clinical resource to ensure optimal management of patients within specialty area.
• Practices approved aseptic technique and monitors and corrects the aseptic techniques of others as indicated.
• Handles floor stock medications or medications delivered from pharmacy directly or through the pneumatic tube system. Relocates these medications, in original containers, to designated secure storage locations.
• Initiates appropriate intra-operative behaviors unique to first assisting, if trained to do so.
• Serves as consultant to specialty team members regarding complex patients.
2. Communication skills
• Utilizes simple, direct, and clear verbal instructions and obtains feedback to ensure that instructions are understood.
• Demonstrates a supportive, receptive, non-threatening communication style allowing for immediate expression of ideas and problem solving.
• Keeps staff informed of changes in schedule and assignments.
• Actively participates in committees and work groups.
• Keeps appropriate management personnel informed of issues relating to staffing, scheduling, equipment, and other needs.
3. Leadership skills
• Personnel
o Assists in coordination of daily assignments and decisions for utilization of specialty-team members.
o Coordinates activities of personnel assigned to specialty cases.
o Fosters an environment that focuses on values, autonomy, and accountability where staff and management participate as partners in the decision-making process.
o Appropriately delegates duties and responsibilities to other members of the specialty team.
o Provides guidance and ensures proper use of equipment by specialty team members.
o Recognizes proper safety precautions in routine performance of duties and reports any disregard of policies to those involved.
o Encourages team members to follow department policies.
o Reports any inappropriate activities of staff, surgeons, or other personnel to the nurse manager.
• Plant, equipment, supplies
o In conjunction with the departmental business manager, coordinates equipment and supply availability within specialty area
o Assures physical environment of specialty rooms, storage areas, etc. is maintained.
o Oversees a process for maintaining surgeon preference lists.
o Ensures that all equipment is in working order. Works with departmental business manager to get equipment repaired as needed.
o Monitors use of supplies, thus avoiding unnecessary waste.
o Carries out trials of new products and provides feedback for purchasing decisions.
• Unit coordination/productivity
o Develops positive working relationships with surgeons, which encourage problem solving and ensures that needs of surgeons in specialty area are identified and met.
o Assists in coordination of the flow of the daily schedule.
o Assists in orientation and education of staff in preparation for on-call coverage.
o Promotes and collaborates with staff to build a climate that demonstrates appreciation and recognition of achievement.
o Fosters positive, interdepartmental collaborative relationships to improve patient care, unit efficiency, and effectiveness.
o Implements cost-effective measures to enhance effective and efficient patient care.
o Participates in quality improvement processes.
o Responds promptly to surgeon's concerns and communicates same to appropriate person.
o Recognizes trends that may affect smooth operation of the department (personnel, scheduling, supplies, surgeons, etc.) and reports them to nurse manager.
4. Personal and professional growth.
• Demonstrates responsibility for own personal and professional growth as reflected by professional development activities and unit projects.
• Attends and participates in inservice programs.
• Acts as role model to staff.
5. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values:
• SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do. I take action to ensure the safety of others.
• COURTESY: Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect. I project a professional image and positive attitude.
• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance. I work with others to achieve superior results.
• EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely. I prevent defects and delays.
6. Performs other related work as required or requested.