JOB SUMMARY

The Pre-Surgical Testing Nurse will contact patients scheduled for outpatient surgical procedures via telephone prior to appointment. The interview will discuss pre-anesthetic evaluations, provide patient education and ensure all pre-surgical testing is completed and received by the day of the scheduled surgery. The nurse work effectively with all levels of the organization, including Admitting, Anesthesia, Operating Room, Physicians, Physician’s office staff, Information Systems, and Laboratory.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates a commitment to the mission of Swedish Hospital, exhibits a positive service orientation, and adheres to all responsibilities and standards of the hospital.
• Interviews patients via telephone prior to scheduled outpatient surgeries to obtain and share procedural information
• Provides patient education via telephone related to upcoming procedure
• Informs patient of pre-anesthetic evaluation process
• Ensures all pre-surgical testing is completed prior to patient appointment
• Integrates research findings into nursing practice
• Works cohesively with related nursing areas prior to surgical procedure
• Maintains knowledge of nursing procedures specific to orthopedic surgery, general surgery, neurologic surgery, podiatric surgery, OB/Gyn surgery, urologic surgery, bariatric surgery, plastic surgery and vascular procedures.
• Maintains knowledge and competency reflective of current standards of nursing practice.
• Promotes hospital quality improvement goals.

QUALIFICATION/BASIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of a Registered Nursing program required, BSN preferred.
• Minimum two years of professional nursing experience required.
• Works independently and demonstrates initiative to resolve issues.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
• Current CPR certification through the American Heart Association.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

N/A

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACT

• Physicians and physician office staff
• Patients and their families
• Hospital departments including medical staff and nursing staff.

ENVIRONMENT

• Primary body position: Sitting = 90%, Standing/Walking = 10%
• Lifting requirement up to 10lbs occasionally
• Exposure to noise, stress and many interruptions.
• Potential exposure to airborne diseases. The same as for any individual working in a hospital environment that is dependent on a ceiling ventilation system for in flow and out flow of air.

ACCESS TO PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

Computer system access for the Nursing Division is assigned based on criteria as specified in Policy # 08-113-0, and on the minimum necessary as described in this job description. Approval for level of access is given by the system administrator (for Nursing Division this is Nursing Informatics) or the department that has ownership of system/module. See computer system Access Control policy. The Staff Nurse Level II has Access Level G which includes Name, Demographic & Clinical. Epic access for this job description is NUR.RN. See Policy 08-113-0, Attachment A.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Preferred

Required