Position Title :
Peri-Operative Surgical Liaison Nurse
Cost Centre :
Operating Theatre General John Hunter
Organisation unit :
NSW Health Service – Hunter New England Local Health District
Award Classification :
Public Health System Nurses’ & Midwives (State) Award
Responsible To :
Nurse Manager Operating Suite
554785
Nurse Unit Managers Operating Suite
Responsible for :
Provision of peri-operative nursing care to patients undergoing specialist
surgery, within a Level 3 Tertiary Trauma Referral Centre.
To improve the process of communication and the level of patient
satisfaction as well as to reduce the feelings of anxiety felt by many
patients and their family members, throughout the perioperative phase
of hospitalisation.
Purpose of Position :
Maintain nursing standards and patient services to a level that will assure
patient safety, privacy, dignity and confidentiality and a level of quality of
care that is in keeping with the philosophy and the Mission Statement of
the hospital.
The service is intended to improve waiting family members’ satisfaction
by enabling them to be more involved in the patients care, thereby
leading to improved patient progress after surgery.
Key Accountabilities :
Practice at an advanced level within the specified scope of practice in the
provision of high quality, culturally sensitive patient care in partnership
with patients, and their significant others and other members of the
multidisciplinary team.
Foster a high standard of service provision by demonstrating clinical
leadership and maintaining collaborative relationships with all
disciplines.
Undertake research and development and continuous improvement
activities to meet specified clinical nursing needs.
Ensure ongoing effective clinical service provision in the specified clinical
discipline.
Provide education services in the specified clinical.
Commit to ongoing professional development of self and learning.
Support the professional development and learning of other staff.
Contribute to a safe work environment for all staff (mandatory).
Challenges/Problem
Solving :
Ensuring the efficient use of resources.
Building a positive professional culture that facilitates effective patient
outcomes in a constantly changing environment.
Developing the knowledge, skills and competency to staff to provide
effective patient outcomes in a busy demanding environment.
Evaluate the outcomes of nursing care ensuring timely intervention and
accurate documentation of patient status, care given and the effects of
intervention within established channels of communication, lines of
authority and meeting all legal requirements.
Employ a planned systematic approach to clinical practice and actively
promote a holistic approach to care which focuses on the individual,
including their needs, rights and responsibilities.
Communication :
Communicate effectively with patients and other health care
professionals regarding patient treatment, care, progress, diagnosis and
discharge planning to ensure patients receive optimum care.
Communicate using the correct lines of communication in an
appropriate and timely manner with management issues.
Liaise with medical staff, external health care providers and others
involved in the health care.
Demonstrates advanced communication skills in dealing with patients’
relatives, friends and the community.
Decision Making :
The position holder works under the leadership of the Nurse Unit
Manager.
The position holder makes decisions in relation to day-to-day
operations and clinical care in line with john Hunter Hospital Policies
and Procedures and Evidence Based Practice of the ACORN
Standards, Australian Nursing Council competencies and
requirements of registration.
Matters referred to the Nurse Unit Managers include:
*Issues outside policy and Procedure.
*Human Resource Management.
*Complex or usual care requirements.
Selection Criteria :
Current registration with acute surgical or perioperative experience.
Possess advanced negotiation and interpersonal skills with sound
analytical, judgement and problem solving skills.
Have well developed written and verbal communication skills.
Understanding of the iPM computer system (Patient management
software program) and willingness to learn databases that are an
integral part of patient administration and the project.
Demonstrate ability to practice, collaboratively as part of a
multidisciplinary health care team.
Use initiative in prioritising workload and delegating tasks.
Commitment to providing high quality care and ensuring patient
safety