Registered Nurse - Orthopedic Department

Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Nantucket

Job Description

Job Summary: 

An Orthopedic Nurse is a professional nurse who assists the Orthopedic Surgeon by providing direct care to patients and families in an ambulatory care setting and in the operating room.  In collaboration with the physician she/he is responsible for recording patient histories, provide pre-op and post care, apply and remove orthopedic assistive devices, assist the doctor during surgery and providing follow-up for patients during all phases of their injury and is able to perform a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic and administrative duties. Position may also require that Nurse float to other areas in the Hospital as needed.

  Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities 

1. The Orthopedic nurse functions in direct collaboration with the physician.

1. He/she is required to serve a first contact for all patients and insurance companies’ inquires regarding patient problems and questions, pre and post evaluation, and prescription refills. Answers departmental telephone calls, provides routine and complex information in a courteous and professional manner and returns messages in an appropriate amount of time. Fills out required forms for patients and insurance companies as required.

1. He/she must be able to perform a complete orthopedic physical exam and assessment and document the patient history, findings and complaint prior to physician evaluation in the patient’s electronic medical record. Be able to communicate patient needs both orally and in writing. Be able to approach patients of all ages and types of orthopedic problems to elicit histories and perform evaluations. Instructs and counsels patients regarding orthopedic issues.

1. Maintains inventory of medical supplies in patient rooms and storage closet.

1. Maintains inventory of medicines with appropriate logging.

1. Has a sound knowledge of orthopedics, nursing, medical and scientific principles, and appropriately applies those principles to practice. And maintains and updates orthopedic knowledge and skills based on current education/nursing and health care practices.

1. Identifies own learning needs and goals, and designs a plan to meet them and fulfills professional role through involvement in professional organization activities.

1. Demonstrates effective interpersonal relationships with front desk personnel and physicians.

1. Performs therapeutic orthopedic procedures, including but not limited to placing and removing splits/casts, injections and blood draws. Orders, performs and/or interprets laboratory and/or diagnostic tests.

1. Responds to life-threatening situations.

1. Facilitates the appropriate referral of patients, consistent with his/her supervising physician’s scope of expertise and responsibility.

1. Correctly codes billing sheets with ICD-9 codes and CPT codes (diagnostic, procedural, technical and equipment codes).

1. Able to use of computer systems with proficiency and ease, to look up and retrieve all useful information on computer records to help with patient care, while observing all “pop ups” related to patient booking and billing. Open charts on EMR system prior to beginning of patient day.

1. Ensures office area is kept clean and free from obstacles that might jeopardize safety of everyone in the office. Assesses environment for safety hazards and reports and any all conditions of such or dangerous situations immediately, using appropriate hospital forms and procedures.

1. Regularly participates in departmental meetings, M&M’s, medical staff meetings, critical care committee, hospital educational training and any required mandatory training.

1. Requires flexibility to travel between the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and arrange their hours to work within this time frame.

1. Maintains, protects and insures confidentiality about patients, their information, medical information and other information regarding patient care, as well as employee information, information about the hospital and ensuring no public discussion occurs regarding the same.

1. Acts as a patient advocate and ensures that policies regarding patient rights are followed.

1. Be able to work closely with patients and their families, billing, OR personnel and OR scheduler to schedule patients for their surgery.

1. Adheres to dress code, maintain personal hygiene and professional cleanliness of dress, dress in appropriate clothing to work in an orthopedic office. Wears hospital issue name badge at all times during working hours.

1. Supports the Hospital’s missions and values, as well as departmental philosophy, objectives and goals as demonstrated to others.

1. Maintains and demonstrates adequate language, writing and math skills to complete required duties.

1. Participates in research studies with Dr. Monto by gathering information from patients and correlating such information.

1. Provide cross-coverage for other practice staff members for absences and vacations, as well as during variations in work flow.

1. Assist physician in the operating room during surgery.

1. Apply and remove casts.

1. Create, apply and remove splints.

1. Fit and teach crutch walking to patients.

1. Work late when required to complete work or assist with patients.  Position may also be required to float to other areas of the Hospital as needed.

 

Qualifications

 Essential Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for the Position Knowledge of:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and windows-based applications required.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and billing codes required.
• Prior Orthopedic OR experience required and knowledge of OR instruments, specifically orthopedic equipment.
• 2-4 years of orthopedic nursing required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HIPAA Confidentiality and Privacy Policies.
• Demonstrated understanding of disaster protocols to include fire, safety, and code calls, pursuant to the mandatory training requirements outlined by NCH and JCAHO guidelines.

 Skills:

• Demonstrates competence in all nursing areas.
• Must be computer literate with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent Customer Service skills.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal relationship skills with front desk personnel, physicians, patients and all with whom they may encounter when representing the office.
• Use of cast saw, apply splints and casts.
• Draw blood, use ultrasound and EMG.

 Ability to:

• Ability to handle demanding highest level of patient care, stress, high patient volume and work in emergency situations. 
• Ability to stand and walk 80%, sit 20% of the time, to frequently bend, using back and knees, climb, reach, stoop, squat, stand in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time up to two hours, sit, walk, some crawling required, also help lift objects from five to one hundred pounds and move patients via wheelchair or stretcher.
• Ability to present themselves in a professional manner and to work effectively and courteously with various groups of patients, staff, visitors, vendors and providers.
• Ability to multitask.
• Ability to work both independently or with a team approach, problem solve and functions as a resource to other members of the team.
• Ability to use fingers and hands to operate department equipment, as described on the departmental checklist and to perform all job duties and including but not limited to assistive devices such as walkers, crutches, canes, therapeutic modalities. Additionally, must use able to utilize computer, printer, copier, cell phone, 2 way radios, telephone, calculator, fax, and other related office equipment.
• Utilize face shield, masks, gloves, protective clothing, safety glasses, and other personal protective equipment applicable to the task being performed.
• Vision is required to review, read and input data.  Hearing is required in order to receive information via telephone or in person.  Verbal skills are required in order to provide and receive information. 

 Credentials and Experience Required

• Graduate of an Accredited Nursing School, a Bachelor in Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Current Registered Nurse or License Practical Nurse licensure in Massachusetts.
• Certificate as a provider of BLS/ACLS, and/or Neonatal Resuscitation
• Orthopedic experience in the operating room, as well as a doctor’s office and/or floor is required.

Special Requirements

• Regular work week may require some additional hours, usually during the summer months. Some evenings, weekends and holidays may be required for this position.
• Must be available to work in the case of a declared hospital emergency.
• Position requires “on-call” work on an infrequent basis.
• Exposure to normal office and operating room environment. May also be exposed to temperature fluctuations, moderate noise levels, minimal dust, infectious diseases, blood and chemicals that are commonly used in a hospital setting.
• Be able to travel back and forth on a small airplane to and from Martha’s Vineyard to help in the clinic and OR there.
• May be asked to cover MGPO offices or Specialty Physician Services

Salary

TBD

Employment Type

Full Time

Hours

40

Schedule

Day

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