JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Functions as a clinical expert and role model in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care for specific patient population.
• Monitors the appropriateness of patient care assignments based on patient care requirements and staff competence. Demonstrates advanced leadership and clinical skills. Serves as an arbitrator in resolution of conflicts between staff.
• Actively participates in developing and monitoring staff competency. Works with Clinical Nurse IV to ensure completion of orientation, initial and ongoing competency requirements of each staff member. Oversees and orients new staff.
• Serves a preceptor to all new hires, perioperative residents, and transfers. Conducts needs analysis to increase supplies based on volume. Initiates dialog with PCC and work with physician to evaluate and change supplies and prosthesis.
• Monitors stocks and supplies to ensure par levels are maintained. Collaborates with and serves as a resource to other staff in determining patient care priorities. Demonstrates expert practitioner knowledge and skills for more complex cases.
• Oversees obtaining equipment. Provides direct patient care for all procedures common to the area of concentration. Functions as patient assistant to physician and with appropriate training, act as technician to surgical assistant.
• Coordinates, facilitates, and ensures the development and revision of Standards of Care to meet the patients changing needs. Anticipates and recognizes change in patient care and notifies appropriate staff for intervention.
• Develops and revises Standards of Care/Patient Teaching materials as delegated. Communicates patient care, staff competency, and practices issues appropriately to PCC or unit administrator.
• Monitors the adherence to documentation standards within OR according to hospital policy and procedures. Identifies the needs for revision and evaluates the effectiveness of patient care documentation.
• Establishes and meets goals in the following areas: clinical practice, education, research and/or professional growth.
• Actively participates or chairs department based or hospital based committee. Maintains active membership in professional organization.
• Provides leadership for interdisciplinary conferences to resolve issues related to patient advocacy. Identifies, develops, conducts, documents and evaluates education based on direct patient care issues.
• Focuses education on daily clinical situations and adherence to Standards of Care. Regularly evaluates the impact of procedures pertaining to specialized patient populations.
• Assists in implementing and developing revisions to policies and procedures to improve the quality of patient care.
• Monitors compliance and adherence to established procedures. Attends educational programs to maintain an optimal knowledge base.
• Identifies recurring and unusual clinical problems and recommends changes in procedures to eliminate or resolve them. Identifies ways to improve quality of patient care through process monitoring, benchmarking, and research.
• Focuses on direct patient care, collects data, participates in product investigation, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of new procedures and there impact on the patients and the quality of care delivered.
• Interacts with and establishes professional relationships with other patient care team members.
• Utilizes available resources to clarify standards of care, practices, and procedures. Provides clarification to less experienced patient care staff concerning the interpretation of diagnostic data, abnormal physical findings, or atypical behavioral responses.
• Serves as resource of advance clinical knowledge in particular specialty. Evaluates staff education needs based on clinical populations and situations.
• Coordinates department based competency required programs. Utilizes a wide range of educational tools to enhance clinical growth to the staff.
• Assists in identifying researchable patient care problems, data collection, evaluation and implementation of the resolutions. Coordinates department based and formal research projects.
  
  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program and CSA (Certified Surgical Assistant) credentialing or Graduate of an accredited surgical technology program with five years experience of which one year is directly related to first assist experience.
  
  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• (Medium): 20-50 lbs; 0-33% of the work day (occasionally); 11-25 lbs, 34-66% of the workday (frequently); 01-10 lbs, 67-100% of the workday (constantly); Lifting 50 lbs max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.
  
  ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
• Factors affecting environment conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include, but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure Bio-hazardous waste Chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors Communicable diseases Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.