Registered Nurse – OR

Primary Role:

• The Registered Nurse – Operating Room will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the center of all that we do.  The qualified nurse will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating their own nursing care provided to adults, children and their families.
• The Registered Nurse – Operating Room adheres to CTMH Doctors Hospital (CTMH DH) policy/procedure in their duties and to their signed contract with regard to the scheduling needs.

Responsibilities:

• The Registered Nurse – Operating Room serves as the patient advocate while the patient is most vulnerable.
• The circulating nurse is responsible for managing all nursing care within the operating room, observing the surgical team from a broad perspective, and assisting the team to create and maintain a safe, comfortable environment for the patients immediately prior to and during operative procedures.
• The circulating nurse is also responsible for coordinating activities in the event of an emergency. In short, the circulating nurse is the ‘critical thinker,’ preparing for and responding to all situations that affect patient care and safety throughout operative procedures.
• The Registered Nurse will assist with patient care within his/her scope of practice as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of the Cayman Islands and in accordance with the Policies and Procedures of CTMH Doctors Hospital.

Scrub Nurse:

• Assist as a scrub nurse as surgeon conducting operations.
• Perform operating room unit work in accordance with agreed standards and policies.
• Participate as a scrubbed member of the operating room.
• Assist other members of the team in preparing and cleaning the operating room.
• Assist with booking cases for surgery and compiling data for monthly reports.
• Ensure that appropriate stock levels and equipment is maintained in the O.R.; check stores to ensure the unit is adequately prepared for surgical emergencies.
• Assist in compiling and updating the operating room Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Participate in clinical trials of new equipment and supplies.
• Evaluate the service ability of existing equipment.
• Work within professional guidelines as laid down by The Cayman Islands Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Ethics for Nurses.
• Maintain and update own knowledge continuously, seeking out learning opportunities and participating in ongoing education.
• Foster a learning environment for the benefit of staff in Theatre and Recovery Room.
• Assist less experienced staff to develop their skills in O.R. Nursing.
• Demonstrate flexibility with roster to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service.
• Discuss any problems or potential problems with the Clinical Coordinator or Nurse in Charge.
• Such other duties appropriate to the post may be assigned from time to time, by the hospital authority through the Director of Nursing Services.
• Keep up to date with mandatory training such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Circulating Nurse:

• Receives patients from ward nurse with completed medical and nursing pre-operative assessment, consent form signed and pre-operative checklist completed and signed by both parties.
• Prepare the OR by reviewing surgeon’s preferences for the surgery, instrumentation, equipment, sterile supplies; assist with set-up of surgical field and pre-surgery count of instruments, sponges, sharps, and miscellaneous items with scrub person)
• Provide nursing care for patients within the operating department and recovery room.
• Perform operating room unit work in accordance with agreed standards and policies.
• Carry out safety checks of swabs, instruments and needles in conjunction with a second nurse and completes appropriate written and verbal communication to all relevant parties.
• Perform as a circulating member of the operating room team.
• Participate in Surgical Safety Checklist (briefing, time out, debriefing)
• Check labels and dispatch specimens to the laboratory for testing.
• Recover patients after surgery according to CTMH DH policy and procedures, and complete necessary documentation.
• Provide assistance to the Anesthetist, scrub nurse, and surgical team.
• Assures patient comfort and safe transference of patient from stretcher/wheelchair to operating table and vice versa.
• Assist other members of the team in preparing and cleaning the operating room.
• Assist with booking cases for surgery and compiling data for monthly reports.
• Ensure that appropriate stock levels and equipment is maintained in the O.R.; check stores ensure the unit is adequately prepared for surgical emergencies.
• Shall be present in the operating room for the duration of the surgical procedure.
• Assist in compiling and updating the operating room Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Participate in clinical trials of new equipment and supplies.
• Evaluate the service ability of existing equipment.
• Work within professional guidelines as laid down by The Cayman Islands Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Ethics for Nurses.
• Maintain accurate nursing records as per hospital policy.
• Maintaining a safe environment within the department for both staff and patients; keep up to date with health and safety regulations.
• Maintain and update own knowledge continuously, seeking out and participating in learning opportunities and ongoing education.
• Foster a learning environment for the benefit of staff in the Theatre and Recovery Room.
• Assist less experienced staff to develop their skills in O.R. Nursing.
• Deputize for the Clinical Coordinator in her absence.
• Demonstrate flexibility with roster to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service.
• Discuss any problems or potential problems with the Clinical Coordinator or Nurse in Charge.
• Such other duties appropriate to the post may be assigned from time to time, by the hospital authority through the Director of Nursing Services.
• Keep up to date with mandatory training such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Qualifications / Knowledge Requirements:

• Degree from an accredited school of Nursing.
• Minimum of five years recent relevant Post Graduate experience in an O.R. setting.
• Operating theatre experience required and Post Graduate theatre course desirable but not essential.
• Proven experience as operating room nurse (circulating and scrub)
• Excellent knowledge of aseptic and sterile techniques
• Solid understanding of patient safety and precautions
• In-depth knowledge of surgical operation procedures
• A great team player with excellent communication skills
• Must be a critical thinker
• Cool tempered with emotional and physical stamina
• Demonstrate experience in mentorship/preceptorship.
• Have a strong commitment to pre and post registration nurse education.
• Demonstrate the practice of teaching in the clinical area.
• Display evidence of continuing professional development.
• Computer skills essential. Personal competencies
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate working well as part of a multidisciplinary team

Accountability:

The OT Registered Nurse will be accountable to the Clinical Coordinator – O.R. with secondary reporting lines to the Chief Nurse.

Travel:

None expected.

Benefits: 

Doctors Hospital offers a competitive benefit package that includes paid vacation, health insurance and pension in accordance with the Cayman Islands regulations.