Operating Theatre & Recovery Nurse at Aga Khan University Hospital

Responsibilities:

• Ensure complete pre-op assessment including the surgical checklist, nursing documentation and physician’s assessment
• Receive the patient prior to surgery, gets report from the accompanying nurse and performs pre-op checklist.
• Circulate and assist as needed for minor surgeries under supervision
• Ensure effective recovery of stable patients post any form of anaesthesia.
• Assists with intubation and extubation of patient in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and if required in the Operating Room (OR)
• Communicate with anaesthetist and primary teams regarding patient issues and shifting plans.
•  Promptly report both clinical and non-clinical unusual findings to the nurse manager or designee
• Identify patient and family learning needs and initiate appropriate teaching
• Perform pain assessment and initiate analgesia as required
• Ensure that nursing documentation is timely, comprehensive and complete
• Ensure all specimens are properly labelled and delivered to the lab in a timely manner
• Provide safe environment for patients through adherence to infection control practices and other safety policies
• Be able to recognize a patient in a pre-arrest or arrest states and initiate Basic Life Support
• Dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste safely in accordance with Aga Khan University Hospital guidelines on waste management
• Administer medication safely, monitor patient responses to medication and promptly report adverse reactions
• Care of equipment through cleaning, storage, per shift check of the inventory and timely reporting and follow up on non-functional equipment to the nurse manger designee.
• Participate in unit based nursing education, quality improvement (QI) projects, audits, spot checks and skill checks
• Provide patients with perioperative care in procedure, operating, and recovery rooms
• Scrub Circulate and assist as needed for all surgical cases
• Ensure that the operating room runs smoothly and all necessary surgical supplies and equipment are available prior to patient entering the OR.
• Assist in the maintenance and storage of surgical equipment and report immediately
• Evaluate surgical patients prior to surgery and in postoperative phases
• Communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of postoperative care
• Apply aseptic and sterile techniques to medical instruments and equipment before, during, and after surgery
• Alleviate patients’ concerns by answering questions and providing postoperative care instructions
• Prepare patients for surgery by disinfecting their skin at the operation site and positioning them on the operating table
• Adhere to all relevant health and safety standards

Skills and qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of surgical operation procedures
• Highly skilled at assessing patients prior to surgery and providing them with perioperative care
• Extensive knowledge of aseptic and sterile techniques
• Ability to collaborate with surgeons and other healthcare professionals
• Solid understanding of patient health and safety standards
• Excellent organizational skills

Requirements:

• RN from a recognized school of nursing or university
• Current licensure with the Nursing Council of Kenya
• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Higher Diploma in Peri-operative Theatre Nursing is an added advantage
• Demonstrate evidence based knowledge of current practices in theater nursing.