Surgical Optimization RN at Huggins Hospital in WOLFEBORO, New Hampshire

Job Description:

Under the administrative supervision of the Specialty Practice Manager, the Surgical Optimization Nurse plays a vital role in enhancing patient outcomes through the preoperative and postoperative management of surgical patients. This position involves assessing patient readiness for surgery, providing education, coordinating care plans and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal surgical outcomes. The nurse will work closely with patients, families and healthcare providers to streamline the surgical process, improve recovery times and support better outcomes with safety in the forefront.

Responsibilities:

• Participates in staff meetings and cooperates with providers and coworkers to achieve departmental objectives
• Reports concerns and problems as they arise
• Ensures confidentiality of employee, legal, client/patient, budget and all organizational matters
• Works closely with the Surgical Optimization provider, Surgeons, Anesthesia, and the multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive treatment plans
• Stay current with the latest research and best practices in surgical optimization

Patient Evaluation:

• Conduct comprehensive preoperative assessments to evaluate patients' medical histories, current health status, and surgical risks. Follows protocol defined by risk stratification tool.
• Identify patients requiring additional optimization (e.g., managing comorbidities, nutritional assessments).
• Collaborate with surgical teams and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized optimization plans based on patient-specific needs and to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Patient Education and Care Coordination:

• Provide education to patients and families regarding surgical procedures, preoperative preparations, and postoperative care.
• Develop and distribute educational materials tailored to the needs of individual patients.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals to create individualized care plans.
• Schedule preoperative tests and consultations as necessary, ensuring timely completion prior to surgery.
• Attends and presents at the total joint class.
• Utilizes the current Electronic Medical Record to complete the documented Best Practice Workflows accurately
• Documents physical findings and patient response on appropriate worksheets and medical record Communicates pertinent follow up information to patients according to established standards of care
• Implement evidence-based practices to optimize patients' health prior to surgery, including lifestyle modifications, medication management, and referrals to specialists.
• Monitor patients' progress and adjust care plans as needed to ensure readiness for surgery.
• Provide guidance on postoperative care, rehabilitation,

Organizational Expectations:
• Attendance: Attendance is an essential job function; employee comes to work daily, on time, and completes scheduled shift
• HIPAA: facilitates to maintain patient confidentiality
• Internal communication: contributes to positive team performance and a culture of service excellence through effective communication, active listening, and respect.
• Interpersonal relationships: maintains appropriate interpersonal relationships with staff, patients, and visitors at all times. Works as a team member with other departments.
• Safety: Practices workplace safety daily

Employee Engagement:
• Actively participates in all hospital Service Excellence initiatives and trainings
• Attends and participates in a minimum of 50% of Division of Surgery and other staff meetings and signs off on review of 100% department staff meeting minutes
• Completes all required annual education on or before the due date
• Develops educational programs within area of expertise
• Collaborates with clinical team to meet staff and patient educational needs.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Individuals must possess these knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the primary functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities and possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without a reasonable accommodation, to safely perform the essential functions of the job.
• Minimal physical effort required with occasional light lifting to a maximum of 25 pounds; stooping; and pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work primarily with fingers
• Ability to effectively manage considerable mental stress
• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and convey information in a clear, concise and accurate manner
• Familiarity with computer and other business machines

Qualifications:
Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program, BSN preferred.
Experience: 3-5 years in a surgical setting
License and Certification: BLS (Basic Life Support), Licensed by the State of NH as an RN