Surgical Nurse Job Description
Surgical Nurse Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective surgical nurse job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included surgical nurse job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Surgical Nurse Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Surgical Nurse
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: BLS, ACLS, CPR, PALS, BCLS, ANCC, CHF, ATLS
Education for Surgical Nurse
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the surgical nurse job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Associate Degree in Nursing, Education, Associates, Graduate, Nursing Program, School of Nursing, Science, Nursing Education, Department of Education, Patient Care
Skills for Surgical Nurse
Desired skills for surgical nurse include:
Desired experience for surgical nurse includes:
Surgical Nurse Examples
Surgical Nurse Job Description
- Clinical responsibilities related to the post operative phase are drain removal, assuring patent NG tubes, reviewing and verifying compliance with postoperative orders and assuring IV access when appropriate
- Administer pain medications
- Participating in performance improvement, nursing quality, nursing research activities and utilizing same in clinical practice
- Acting as the patient advocate, as circumstances require, by initiating action to improve health care or to change decisions or activities which are against the interests or wishes of the patient
- Directing and supervise less skilled nursing or Healthcare personnel or supervising a particular unit
- Educating patient, family and staff on diagnosis, treatment program and resources available
- Providing nursing care with kindness, sensitivity, in a manner that preserves and protects patient autonomy, dignity, and rights
- Collaborating with staff to assure a high quality of patient/family care and participating as an active member of the interprofessional team
- Interpreting and carries out the Palliative Care philosophy to patients / families while meeting regulatory requirements for home care
- Completing mandated documentation in a complete and timely manner while maintaining clinical records in accordance with agency policies
- 1+ year of experience working in an Outpatient / Surgery center
- 1+ year of experience in a Medical-Surgical or Ambulatory Care Unit (New grads are welcome as well!)
- 2+ years of Medical-Surgical / Acute Care Nursing experience
- 2+ years of working experience within an Medical-Surgical Unit
- 3+ years of related Medical-Surgical experience
- 2+ years of experience on a Medical-Surgical unit
Surgical Nurse Job Description
- Anticipate the needs of the surgical team according to the requirements of the procedure, facilitating a rapid turnover time between cases
- Analysis of OR metrics to promote department efficiency
- Post-restraint interviews / exams
- Admission screening interviews / health histories
- Labwork (including blood draws)
- Immunization injections
- Sick call and treatment / referral
- TB Testing for Youth and Staff (Mantoux)
- Hepatitis B immunizations for staff
- Scheduling appointments, including coinciding paperwork)
- BLS and ACL certification
- 2+ years of experience working within a Medical-Surgical Unit
- Nursing Diploma
- Competency in IV and Phlebotomy
- Previous experience in a Hospice role
- Home Care and/or Community Health background
Surgical Nurse Job Description
- Ensuring accurate VASQIP data submission process (data entry, interpretation, and timely transmission of the data to the NSO)
- Managing programmatic issues related to surgical data
- Maintaining competency in VASQIP definitions and chart review processes
- Participating in VHA facility mortality and morbidity reviews
- Collaborating regularly with the Chief of Surgery regarding surgical data and programs, regardless of the specific department to which he/she organizationally reports (e.g., Surgery, Quality Management, or Nursing)
- Participating in surgical performance improvement activities
- Providing ongoing educational activities regarding VASQIP to relevant personnel at the VHA facility
- Ability to assess and establish competency in RN Circulator and Surgical Technologist Roles
- Prepare the surgical operating suite with sterile drapes and sterile solutions appropriate sterile and non-sterile instruments and supplies
- Handle required/requested instruments and supplies to surgeon during surgery
- 2 years' experience in med-surg and/or telemetry
- ACLS encouraged
- Previous Progressive Care Nursing experience is strongly preferred
- Graduate Nurses that are eligible and Staff Nurses with nursing experience will be considered for this position
- Critical Care/Step-Down RN experience required
- Surgical Oncology experience
Surgical Nurse Job Description
- Maintain instruments in an organized manner and monitor/track instruments counts throughout procedures
- Also communicates any deviation from normal clinical progress to appropriate attending physician for evaluation
- Identifies patient educational needs and works with other motility team members on the development of educational materials and educational programs
- Educate patient on procedures and interventions
- Works with product representatives to coordinate education on products/equipment used
- Develop departmental competencies for nursing staff and ensure competencies are completed yearly
- Act as primary patient/caregiver triage contact for motility related questions and needs
- Performs GI related diagnostic tests and procedures on patients to include but not limited to Esophageal Manometry, Anorectal Manometry, Insertion of wireless pH and catheter based pH Impedance,, Smart Pill capsule studies, pH return with study upload into EMR, Bravo return with study upload into EMR, and Biofeedback
- Appropriately record all measurements, review for accuracy, and upload results for each procedure into EMR in a timely fashion for Provider to review
- Provides patients' personal hygiene by giving bedpans, urinals, baths, backrubs, shampoos, and shaves
- 2+ years of Phlebotomy
- Experience in an acute or long-term health care facility or similar health care environment
- Previous 2-3 years experience as charge nurse or Assistant Nurse Manager in an acute setting is required
- Documented secretarial and NA experience strongly preferred
- Current CNOR
- 1 year current med surg experience required
Surgical Nurse Job Description
- Maintains patient stability by checking vital signs, weight
- Answers patients' call lights, addresses and maintains a safe clean environment
- Assists surgeons in the OR
- Follows patients pre and post-op
- Provides patient care upon office visits
- Participates in first call coverage with other surgical APPs
- Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care for oncology patients
- Performs procedures as needed per licensure and per collaboration agreement
- Completes appropriate charges for patient visits
- Serves as a resource person for the nursing staff and delegates as appropriate
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, strongly preferred
- Clinical experience as a preceptor or charge nurse
- Valid license as a Registered Nurse
- 2+ years of experience with Plastics Surgical procedures, Sterile fields, and procedures under Anesthesia
- Previous basic arrhythmia recognition course preferred – Provided within first 90 days of employment
- 3-5 years of related Surgical healthcare experience