Surgical Services RN at Bayhealth in Dover, DE

Location: Kent Campus Hospital

Status: Full Time 0 Hours

Shift: Variable

General Summary:

The Surgical Services Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive nursing care throughout the perioperative continuum, including Pre-Admission Testing (PAT), Pre-Operative Services, Endoscopy, Operating Room (OR), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and related procedural areas. Utilizing the nursing process, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice, the RN delivers safe, patient-centered care while promoting quality outcomes and an exceptional patient experience.

The RN collaborates with surgeons, proceduralists, anesthesia providers, advanced practice providers, and multidisciplinary team members to ensure patients receive coordinated care from initial surgical evaluation through procedural recovery and discharge. This role requires clinical expertise, effective communication, sound judgment, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing patient needs across multiple phases of care.

Responsibilities:

1. Perioperative Patient Care: Provides safe, age-appropriate nursing care throughout the surgical and procedural experience. Conducts comprehensive patient assessments and develops individualized plans of care. Identifies actual and potential patient care needs and implements appropriate nursing interventions. Monitors patient response to treatment and modifies care plans as clinically indicated. Serves as a patient advocate, ensuring patient rights, privacy, safety, and dignity are maintained throughout the care continuum. Provides patient and family education regarding procedures, expectations, recovery, and discharge planning.
2. Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) and Pre-Operative Services: Performs pre-procedure assessments, reviews medical history, medications, laboratory results, diagnostic testing, and risk factors. Collaborates with physicians, anesthesia providers, and care teams to ensure surgical readiness. Identifies potential barriers to surgery and facilitates resolution before the day of procedure. Ensures completion and verification of required consents, testing, and documentation. Educates patients and families regarding procedural preparation, medication management, and postoperative expectations. Coordinates care across physician offices, scheduling teams, and ancillary departments to support efficient surgical access and patient readiness.
3. Operating Room Services: Functions as a circulating nurse and/or scrub nurse within established competencies. Prepares operating rooms, equipment, instrumentation, implants, and supplies necessary for surgical procedures. Maintains sterile technique and monitors compliance with infection prevention standards. Facilitate communication among surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and support personnel. Participates in patient identification, surgical site verification, and procedural time-out processes. Coordinates specimen management, implant documentation, and required intraoperative records. Demonstrates competency in specialized surgical services including but not limited to orthopedics, robotics, general surgery, gynecology, urology, vascular, thoracic, ENT, plastics, and neurosurgery. Supports efficient room turnover and surgical throughput initiatives.
4. Endoscopy and Procedural Services: Assesses, prepares, and monitors patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Assists physicians during GI, pulmonary, and other procedural interventions. Administers and monitors moderate sedation according to organizational policy and regulatory standards. Ensures proper handling and reprocessing of endoscopic equipment in collaboration with sterile processing and infection prevention guidelines. Recognizes and responds to procedural complications and patient emergencies. Provides post-procedure education, discharge instructions, and follow-up guidance.
5. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU): Provides immediate post-anesthesia recovery care for surgical and procedural patients. Performs ongoing assessments of airway, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and pain management status. Monitors patients for postoperative complications and initiates appropriate interventions. Collaborates with anesthesia providers, surgeons, and inpatient care teams to ensure safe transition of care. Implements evidence-based pain management and comfort measures. Determines readiness for discharge or transfer utilizing established recovery criteria. Educates patients and families regarding recovery expectations and discharge instructions.
6. Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance: Maintains compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, AORN, ASPAN, SGNA, and organizational standards. Participates in patient safety initiatives, quality improvement projects, and performance improvement activities. Reports safety concerns, adverse events, near misses, and opportunities for improvement. Ensure accurate and timely documentation within the electronic health record. Supports infection prevention efforts and regulatory readiness activities.
7. Leadership and Professional Practice: Promotes a culture of teamwork, accountability, respect, and service excellence. Serves as a resource and mentor for colleagues and new staff members. Participates in orientation, competency validation, and continuing education activities. Maintains required certifications and clinical competencies. Supports departmental goals related to patient satisfaction, quality outcomes, efficiency, and operational excellence. Participates in committees, shared governance, and departmental initiatives as assigned.
8. All other duties as assigned within the scope and range of job responsibilities.

Required Education, Credential(s) and Experience:

• Education: Associate Degree
  ; Nursing
  ; Or a nursing diploma.
  
• Credential(s): Registered Nurse
  Basic Life Support
  Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support - Within 1 year.
  Pediatric Advanced Life Support - Within 1 year.
  ;
  
  
  
  
  
• Experience: Required: No experience required.

  
  Preferred: Previous experience in Surgical Services, Operating Room, Endoscopy, PACU, Critical Care, Emergency Services, or Procedural Nursing.

Preferred Education, Credential(s) and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor Degree
  Nursing
  
  
• Credential(s): Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
  Certified Perioperative Nurse
  Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse
  Certified Gastroenterology Nurse
  
  
  
  
  
• Experience:

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