Job Description

I. Job Summary

The goal of perioperative nursing practice is to assist patients to achieve a level of wellness equal to or improved from the preoperative level, and to support the patients' family members and significant others during the perioperative period. AORN is committed to the provision of safe perioperative nursing care by ensuring that every patient undergoing an operative or other invasive procedure is cared for by a minimum of one registered nurse (RN) in the circulating role for the duration of each procedure.

II. Duties And Responsibilities

1. The perioperative nurse is an RN who plans, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates nursing care for patients whose protective reflexes or self-care abilities are potentially compromised during operative or other invasive procedures. Although the perioperative RN works collaboratively with other perioperative professionals (eg. Surgeons, anesthesia professionals, surgical technologists) to meet patient needs, the perioperative RN is accountable for the patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care provided during the operative or other invasive procedure. Using clinical knowledge, judgment, and clinical-reasoning skills based on scientific principles, the perioperative nurse plans and implements nursing care to address the physical, psychological, and spiritual responses of the patient having an operative or other invasive procedure.
2. Standards of Nursing Practice:
   Perioperative RNs should know and must comply with their individual state statutes, rules, and Board of Nursing guidance regarding the role of the RN as the circulator in the perioperative setting. The perioperative RN may delegate tasks and functions according to applicable law, regulations, and standards, taking into consideration the competencies of the ancillary personnel, but retains accountability for the outcome of perioperative nursing care. Delegation must be consistent with state laws and regulatory agency standards. Any nursing interventions - such as circulating duties - that require independent, specialized nursing knowledge, skill or judgment cannot be delegated. If LPNs or surgical technologists are performing in the scrub role, they do so under the supervision of the RN circulator.
3. Standards:
   • The perioperative RN collects patient health data that are relevant to the operative or invasive Procedure.
   • The perioperative RN analyzes the assessment date to determine nursing diagnosis.
   • The perioperative RN identifies expected outcomes that are unique to the patient.
   • The perioperative RN develops an individualized plan of care to attain expected outcomes.
   • The perioperative RN implements the identified plan of care.
   • The perioperative RN coordinates patient care continually throughout the patient's
   perioperative experience. • The perioperative RN promotes holistic wellness and a safe environment.
   • The perioperative RN seeks specialized dialogue appropriate to the patient.
   • The perioperative RN evaluates the patient's progress toward attaining outcomes.
   • The perioperative RN systematically evaluates the quality and appropriateness of nursing practice.
   • The perioperative RN acquires and maintains specialized knowledge and skills in nursing practice.
   • The perioperative RN evaluates his or her practice in context with current professional practice standards, rules and regulations.
   • The perioperative RN interacts with and contributes to the professional growth of peers, colleagues and others.
   • The perioperative RN collaborates with the patient and designated support person when practicing professional nursing.
   • Uses ethical principles to determine decisions and actions.
   • Incorporates research findings into practice.

III. Education

Must have a RN degree through an accredited institution

IV. Acknowledgment

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change ( e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush job, or technological developments).

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