Circulating Nurse for Ophthalmology Practice (Registered Nurse)

Circulating Nurse for Ophthalmology Practice (Registered Nurse)

Territories: Vancouver and Victoria

Your mission as a Circulating Nurse

Circulating Nurses are Registered Nurses (RNs) who assist in surgical procedures by setting up the room before the operation, working with the doctor during surgery and preparing the patient for the move to the recovery room.

Reporting to the Medical Director and working closely with the surgeons and supporting staff, the circulating nurse provides quality service and care to patients undergoing surgery. As a multidisciplinary team member, the nurse participates in and provides, through application of knowledge, in the areas of anatomy, physiology, disease, pathology, and operative techniques; exposure of the surgical site, handling of tissue, and patient management, as directed by the surgeon.

The nurse also:

• Practices in accordance with the standards of professional practice and code of ethics as outlined by the College of Registered Nurses’ of British Columbia (CRNBC).
• Practices within a patient centered care model and the vision and values of the organization.
• Provides nursing services in an operating room environment as a member of an integrated surgical team performing varied and complex surgical interventions.
• Enhances quality of life from the perspective of the patient.
• Consults, confers, and collaborates with other members of the surgical team.
• Maintains and advances own clinical competence.
• Participates on designated teams and projects as assigned
• Contributes to maintaining a safe environment and practices, and implements policies, procedures and regulations;
• Demonstrates continuous improvement and best practice approach in nursing practice and patient care.

Responsibilities:

Ongoing:

• Uphold outstanding care and customer service, using emotional intelligence and active listening
• Assist the Coordinator in planning, organizing and scheduling surgery days
• Assist with medical supply inventory
• Ensure the integrity of data in patient files
• Ensures that traffic areas are safe
• Checks the safety of the environment (equipment, furniture, etc.), and reports any defective equipment or hazardous situations.
• Collaborates and participates in standards of asepsis and infection control in the operating room
• Declares any incident or accident, contributes to the analysis of the event, and participates in the identification and implementation of solutions to prevent recurrence of such as event;
• Provides the necessary support to the victim of an accident and his family if necessary;
• Knows and applies the emergency plan.
• Any other tasks as per required by the Medical Director or management team.

Before the surgery:

• With the help of the surgical team, clean and preps the OR
• Ensure the operating room is clean and ready to be set up
• Prepare the instruments and equipment needed for the surgery
• Count all sponges, instruments, needles and other tools
• Preserve the sterile environment by washing hands with special soaps and putting on sterile garments, including a gown, gloves and face mask.
• Verifies the patient's identity, date of birth, the necessary consent forms and then reviews the site and nature of the procedure with the surgeon

During the Surgery

• Check all equipment needed during the procedure to verify that it's functioning normally.
• Monitors Vitals
• Assist the surgeon during surgery, opening instruments/lenses/consumable for the sterile assistant/doctor
• Support the surgeon, while also maintaining patient safety.
• Monitors the surgery to ensure everything remains sterile
• Reassure the patient

After the surgery

• Count all instruments, sponges and other tools and informs the surgeon of the count
• Complete any necessary documentation regarding the surgery or the patient's transfer to recovery
• Gets ready for the next case

Education & Experience:

• Current practicing registration with the College of Registered Nurses’ of British Columbia (CRNBC).
• Completion of a recognized advanced nursing specialty program in operating room nursing (Perioperative certification)
• BLS certification
• Previous experience in cataract operating room environment is an asset.

Knowledge:

• Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a patient centered model of care.
• Broad knowledge of CRNBC's standards for nursing practice.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cataract perioperative nursing techniques, standards, instrumentation, supply and equipment requirements for intraocular refractive procedures.
• Broad knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
• Broad knowledge of pharmacology, and patient physiological responses related to medications and anesthesia
• Comprehensive knowledge of and demonstrated ability in applying aseptic technique.
• Must be proficient in the use of the automated external defibrillator (AED) should the situation require it.

Abilities:

• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to adapt to change
• Demonstrated ability to practice nursing in an operating room environment.
• Demonstrated skill in the assembly and operation of operating room equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as an integral member of an operating room team.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally. 
• Demonstrated ability deal effectively with, patients and their families, co-workers, physicians, and other health care personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to respond immediately and appropriately to emergency situations.
• Demonstrated ability to continually assess patient condition during surgery and to respond appropriately.

Required Skills:

• Basic computer literacy and knowledge of operating room computerized patient care information system.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Capacity to work in a fast paced, potentially high stress environment
• Attention to detail
• Organization, team player, customer service driven

Position details:

This is permanent, part-time position. This position involves regular travel in Vancouver and Victoria areas. A competitive compensation for this position is offered. A full training is given to all new hires. Candidates must be flexible and available to work weekdays, evenings and weekends.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  No phone calls will be accepted regarding this position.