Technical Standards for CCBC Operating Room Registered Nurse Series
The duties of an operating room registered nurse (RN) require the ability to stand for long hours at a time while constantly being focused on the task at hand. RNs must exercise safe practices while exposed to unpleasant sights, orders, materials, and communicable diseases. Their duties also require them to function quickly with accuracy, while being detail oriented. A high level of manual dexterity, psychomotor skills, and integrity are vital.
1. Physical Requirements
A. Sufficient strength and mobility to:
- Lift and position anesthetized patients
- Move swiftly within close quarters while maintaining the sterile field
- Lift large instrument trays weighing up to 30 pounds
- Stand in one small area for long periods of time
B. Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise and delicate tasks such as:
- Handle delicate surgical instruments
- Safely handle surgical and hypodermic needles
- Manipulate instruments while attached to body tissues
C. Adequate vision to:
- Visualize and control fine surgical needles and suture
- Identify fine microsurgical instruments
- Read medication labels at least one foot away
- Visualize the operative field in detail
- Read instruction sheets and computer screens
D. Sufficient hearing to:
- Hear and understand verbal instructions under noisy conditions from masked personnel
- Hear alarms and operating noises from machines and equipment
2. Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism
- Work in a professional manner as a member of the surgical team under extremely stressful situations
- Maintain composure during emergency, life and death situations
- Adequately deal with many personalities and attitudes of other team members
- Respect and protect patient rights, especially confidentiality
- Interact with other health professionals in a polite and professional manner
- Maintain a surgical conscience
- Adhere to the policies and standards of specific medical facilities
- Maintain proper certifications required to perform the duties of the profession (ex., RN, CPR)
3. Communication Skills
- Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
- Carry out written and verbal instructions
- Communicate through proper channels
- Communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Accurately interpret the patient's needs
- Communicate clearly and effectively to any team members regarding breaches in sterile technique
4. Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability
- Exercise independent judgment to properly care for the surgical patient
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to prepare for the surgical procedure
- Accurately identify, calculate dosage, and transfer medications
- Work calmly and efficiently in stressful situations
- Maintain calmness during emergency situations
- Perform duties while exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant sights, odors, and materials
- Complete Series requirements
5. Technical Requirements
- Adequately operate a computer system
- Perform entry level computer tasks such as sending and receiving correspondence through email
- Competently able to navigate & operate machines and equipment in the operating room
- Sufficiently complete basic computer processing tasks in order to remain current with competencies and other hospital requirements.
- Remain current on technological advancements in the field of surgical technology
- Manipulate, organize, & operate equipment required for robotic surgery
6. Environment Requirements
Operating room work involves risks and/or discomforts that require special safety precautions including, but not limited to:
- Wearing gowns, caps, masks, gloves, and eye protection (and other personal protective equipment as required)
- Providing proof of recent immunizations against infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella
- Receiving Hepatitis B vaccine and annual testing for exposure to tuberculosis
- Submitting to periodic drug screening
- Receiving Flu shot annually
- Remain composed and focused when exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, sounds, and communicable diseases.
