Director of Nursing

Job Description

POSITION:               Nurse Manager

DEPARTMENT:       PACU – Preop/Postop and Operating Room Clinical Operations

SUMMARY:  The Nurse Manager is responsible for overseeing the nurses on staff at the surgery center, as well as for their patients’ admission to the facility, comprehensive pre-operative care, immediate post-operative care, and stabilization for return to the home environment.

I.         POSITION DUTIES

1. To oversee the clinical day-to-day at Surgical Center
   1. Manages the nurses’ schedules and makes changes as needed 
   2. Acts as the point of contact for anesthesia resources and staffing
   3. Escalates personnel concerns to Human Resources
   4. Conducts staff performance reviews that are timely and productive 

1. Participates as a team member in planning and implementation of patient care; takes responsibility for an adequate patient load, reviews schedule for next day with preference cards.
2. Reports for work in a timely manner and maintains good attendance record.
3. Shows flexibility in accommodating schedule changes, i.e. working late or early, changing work days, etc.
4. Utilizes time effectively.
5. Organizes work effectively and appropriately to finish in a timely manner, and demonstrates the ability to produce results.
6. Demonstrates the ability to deal with other team members.
7. Monitors surgery schedule continually, communicating arrivals, cancellations, delays; communicates with reception desk, contacts patients or surgeons who are late.
8. Demonstrates interest and enthusiasm towards work.
9. Contributes to increased morale and positive attitude in the department and facility.
10. Demonstrates the ability to accept change.
11. Requires minimal supervision in daily tasks.
12. Reports pertinent information to Charge Nurse and/or Nurse Manager.

1. Responsible for patient’s admission and pre-operative care; holistic preparation for surgery, considering all needs, including pre-operative education, escort/family members, psychosocial needs, utilizing preference cards, and acting under established protocols, practices, and standing orders.
2. Coordinates pre-operative lab work required for individual patients, documenting and reporting pertinent results.
3. Responsible for the patient’s post-operative care and stabilization; holistic preparation for return to the home environment, considering all needs, including post-discharge care, escort/family members, educational and psychosocial needs, utilizing preference cards and acting under established protocols, practices, and standing orders.
4. Performs thorough and accurate continual patient assessment, anticipating potential problems and reporting pertinent assessments to the anesthesiologist, supervisor, and/or surgeon appropriately.
5. Documents actions in medical record completely and accurately in a timely manner.
6. Keeps safety of patient, self, and others a primary concern at all times; acts appropriately in an emergency situation.
7. Acts as discharge nurse when assigned, giving holistic and thorough discharge education.
8. Demonstrates good nursing knowledge base and rationale for actions, including cardiac monitoring.
9. Supervises and directs, as delegated, the activities of non-professional personnel.
10. Utilizes equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently, assisting with stocking, replenishing, and preparation of supplies.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisors.

1. Participates in on-going committees and other educational programs to enhance patient care.
2. Makes post-operative phone calls, assessing patient status and reporting any pertinent information to supervisor and/or anesthesiologist.
3. Utilizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, making suggestions for improvement.
4. Performs and documents daily assignments, including general housekeeping and maintenance of work environment.
5. Develops communication skills and promotes inter-departmental relationships to ensure continuity of care.
6. Maintains current CPR certification.