The Float Pool Clinical Nurse is specially trained to practice nursing during the Perioperative period. The dimensions of practice range from preoperative assessment to intra operative intervention to postoperative evaluation. It is practice designed to meet a patient’s needs through the nursing process, ensuring continuity of care during the surgical experience. The Float Pool Clinical Nurse will receive a daily notification of the assigned facility location to support the continuity of care throughout Cook County Health (CCH).

Typical Duties

• Receives notification from Staffing Office to obtain daily assigned facility location.
• Responsible for floating throughout the hospital and/or multiple facilities to provide nursing care in the following primary areas Medical/Surgical, Telemetry, Step-down, Critical Care, Emergency Department, PACU, Ambulatory Procedures, Maternal Child, Labor and Delivery and Neonatal Intensive Care or any other area for which you have competency.

Day of Surgery

• Checks the following day’s assignments so as to be prepared in anatomy, the surgeon’s preference, and sequence of procedure. If special instrumentation or prosthetics are requested, ensure they have arrived and familiar with usage
• Demonstrates clinical competencies (circulating and scrub roles) in provision of patient care consistent with the Perioperative Nurse competencies and best practices in Perioperative Nursing care.
• Attends report at scheduled time
• Damp dusts operating room surfaces
• Checks supplies against preference cards, obtaining any missing items
• Ensures that required blood products are readily available in the Blood Bank
• Opens sterile supplies with scrub nurse/ O.R. Technician
• Performs initial baseline counts according to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital (JSH) Policy and Procedures
• Checks spotlights, connects suctions, and electrical equipment
• Greets patients in Pre-Op area and receives hand-off communication from Pre-Op nurse; refers the Pre-Op admission policy; assures patients are in operating room fifteen (15) minutes before scheduled start of surgery
• Checks patient documentation preoperatively to ensure that chart is complete with: all appropriate consents signed, proper patient identification and verified with Pre-Op during hand off; Labs/X-ray, etc. (refers to policy)
• Assesses the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient; provides physical and emotional support, as needed; explains routines and procedures to patients, as needed
• Assists patients in moving to the O.R. table; requests assistance if necessary for moving and/or positioning; secures safety belt
• Keeps noise level to a minimum
• Assures surgeon and assistant (if applicable) are present in the operating room before anesthesia begins; remains next to the patient during anesthesia induction; assists anesthesiologist, as needed
• Performs pre-induction and pre-incision time out, checks with surgical team and anesthesia staff
• Assesses patient skin integrity on arrival to and prior to transfer from O.R.
• Assists in positioning of the patient
• Properly places grounding pad; refer to Electrosurgical Policy
• Performs skin prep per departmental policy
• Assists in gowning surgeons, assistants, etc.
• Connects suction and electrosurgical unit
• Pours medications on back table: ensures labels on all solutions and medications are to be checked by both scrub and circulating personnel; ensures expiration date is reviewed by both the scrub and circulating personnel; ensures Anesthesiologist is notified whenever Xylocaine, Cocaine, Neosynephrine, or other similar drugs are on the field
• Maintains an ongoing assessment of supplies needed on the surgical field vs. supplies in the room
• Ensures instrument, needle, and sponge counts are performed in the event of permanent relief of either the scrub person or the circulating nurse
• Contacts Holding area to call for the next scheduled case prior to closure of case in progress
• Notifies Control Desk if room is running late and may delay the next scheduled surgery
• Documents all supplies, implants and medications used during procedure
• Remains in the operating room at all times unless properly relieved by another Registered Nurse (if case in progress mandates leaving OR to secure additional supplies, notifies scrub nurse prior to exiting the room)
• Prepares tape for dressings, gurney, and suction towards the end of procedure
• Accurately performs and documents final sponge, needs, and instrument count with scrub person according to JSH Policy
• Cleans patient, applies dressings, and connects drains
• Assists anesthesiologist (i.e., extubation)
• Completes and documents all nursing interventions performed in the operating room
• Transfers patient to gurney

End of Procedure

• Cleans and stocks room
• Ensures all sutures, and supplies are returned to their proper place
• Returns furniture to its designated area
• Returns equipment to its designated storage area
• Ensures specimen(s) and slips have been transported to, and placed in, the specimen refrigerator
• Assists in collecting equipment for workroom
• Assists in cleaning of operating room
• Completes documentation and submits to Main Operating Room Office
• Signs out of Operating Room
• Documents time next case is scheduled in the room
• Performs special weekly assignments, as needed

Clinical Work Activities

• Supports the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, Department of Nursing Philosophy and goals
• Assumes responsibility of individual clinical competence and continuing education
• Participates in educational activities to increase competency
• Acts as a role model/preceptor for staff, orientees, and students in collaboration with other nursing staff and the clinical instructor
• Participates in staff nurse meetings, unit conferences, patient care conferences, etc., to coordinate nursing and medical management of patient care
• Seeks involvement in committees and professional organizations
• Provides care that demonstrates ethical beliefs and respect for patient rights
• Incorporates current research into nursing practice
• Supports research efforts conducted within the division/department
• Contributes to the efficient management operation of the Perioperative area

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Nursing Director of Staffing & Workforce Management or designee

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university
• Certification in Perioperative nursing

VETERAN PREFERENCE