• Approaches patient in a kind, gentle and friendly manner.

• Responds to patient’s inappropriate behavior in a therapeutic manner.

• Takes appropriate actions and documents in response to manifested anxiety or distress.

• Gives patient explanations and verbal reassurances consistently.

• Adapts nursing procedures to meet the needs for age specific treatment of each individual.

• Identifies physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate actions in a timely manner.

• Demonstrates ability to assess cardiorespiratory systems for changes.

• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.

• Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.

• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.

• Directs and assists in maintenance and handling of special equipment and instruments.

• Observes behavioral and physiologic changes due to medications, takes appropriate actions and documents.

• Adjusts expectations of patient behavior and acts according to the effect medication has on patient.

• Positions patients safely; pads and protects bony prominences.

• Preps and drapes patients correctly for all procedures.

• Carries out medical and surgical asepsis during all procedures.

• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.

• Protects patient’s sensitivities and right to privacy.

• Demonstrates competence in preparing and cleaning of OR suites before and between cases and after terminal case, based on patient’s infection class.

• Carries out established techniques for safe administration of medications and parenteral fluids, as per hospital policies and procedures.

• Coordinates and supervises patient care; provides patient and family with teaching/education, as necessary.

• Supervises licensed practical nurses and surgical technologists in the operating room.

• Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions and side effects.

• Follows the eight (8) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.

• Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines, central lines, spinal and epidural catheters and how to document appropriately.

• Is able to open sterile supplies.

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of location, care and operation of all surgical equipment.

• Accurately records, handles and labels specimens; demonstrates care of specimens.

• Ensures Pre-op Checklist is complete (H&P present, informed consent signed, test results present, surgical site identified, etc.) before patient is taken into surgical suite.

• Is consistently ready and prepared for assigned cases and manages appropriate turnover time.

• Appropriately responds to the patient in an emergency or physically distressful situation.

• Assessment and reassessment of the patient is clearly and concisely communicated in charting. Documentation meets current standards, policies and procedures and is completed within shift.

• Effectively communicates with the physician in accounting for all sponges, needles and instruments during and after the procedure and documents in the appropriate area.

• Communicates Clinical Laboratory/Imaging Services reports to the surgeon during the procedure.

• Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory’s and the patient care unit’s policies and procedures.

• Ability to interpret results of waived tests; take appropriate action on waived tests results.

• Gives thorough report of patient’s intraoperative condition to PACU nurse.

• Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co workers for the patient’s benefit.

• Counts narcotics at beginning and end of all shifts with another RN, per hospital policy.

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of instrument processing, sterilization and biological monitoring. Actively participates in instrument processing, as schedule allows.

• Makes decisions reflecting knowledge of dysrhythmias, followed by appropriate treatment.

• Is able to perform all duties of circulating and scrub nurses.

• Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain steady level of productivity; self-motivated; manages activity and time; does not waste time.