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Pre-Op/PACU RN

Position Summary:

The Pre-Op/PACU RN provides nursing care to surgical patients during the preoperative and postoperative phases.  Involves assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of surgical patients.

Provides safe, knowledgeable, compassionate, educative, individualized and goal-directed nursing care to patients and their families in the immediate post-anesthetic period. Applies physiologic and psychosocial knowledge and skills to promote, restore, and maintain the patient's physiological processes in a safe, comfortable, and effective environment, while facilitating the patient's adaptation to their surgical experiences.

The Nurse supports the center’s policies and procedures as well as its nursing philosophy.

Accountable To:  Director of Nursing/Supervisor/Manager

Responsibilities:
Pre-Op/PACU RN duties will consist of, but are not limited to:

• Assessment
  • Assesses the physical status of the patient through personal observation and interaction.
  • Assesses the individual psychosocial and spiritual needs of the patient and significant other.
  • Demonstrates understanding and interpretation of diagnostic measures such as labs, chest x-ray and EKG.
  • Obtains an overview of the patient's status by reviewing the patient's chart.        
  • Consults with the peri-operative nurse who interviewed the patient pre-operatively.
• Planning
  • Plans for a safe, efficient, effective, and clean environment for preoperative and post-operative care.
  • Identifies problems and plans action to resolve problems.
  • Identifies goals for the individual patient and communicates these goals to others involved in the patient's care.
  • Assures that patient has appropriate discharge instructions; is accompanied by a responsible adult upon discharge; has the telephone number of the physician to call in the event of need during the first 24 hours post-surgery.
• Implementation
  • Takes action to implement nursing care and resolve the problems identified for the individual patient.
  • Utilizes supplies, equipment, and resources to contain cost without compromising delivery of care.
  • Reduces chances of nosocomial infection by directing attention to infection control and environmental safety practices.
  • Reports and documents information accurately and in a timely manner.
  • Utilizes professional nursing judgment in the delivery of care.
  • Uses safe methods of handling equipment.
• Evaluation
  • Evaluates action taken to implement nursing care plan and resolve problems accordingly.
  • Modifies intervention to achieve goals if previous intervention was not effective.
  • Evaluates own nursing practice and seeks ways of growing professionally.
• Interpersonal Relationships
  • Recognizes and utilizes appropriate lines of communication.
  • Foster cooperative efforts in meeting the goals of nursing by sharing workload.
  • Communicates a positive and caring attitude toward unit, peers, staff, and all other contacts.
  • Seeks guidance, direction and assistance where needed.
  • Conveys ideas, concepts, and facts relative to patient care in a logical, understandable, and concise manner.
• Accountability
  • Seeks appropriate learning opportunities.
  • Demonstrates competence and expertise in nursing practice.
  • Assumes responsibility for professional nursing practice within the law.
  • Maintains confidentiality of all patient and Center's communications/documents.
  • Utilizes judgment in determining nursing actions.
  • Acts as patient advocate in the coordination of patient care.
  • Always maintains safety rules.
  • Has knowledge of equipment and supplies and is familiar with their location in Recovery Room and Surgery, i.e.: emergency call system, oxygen, mechanical ventilator assistance equipment, including airways, ambu bag, defibrillator, cardiac monitoring equipment, tracheostomy set, laryngoscope and endotracheal tubes, suction equipment, emergency drugs and supplies specified by the Medical Staff.
  • Monitors emergency equipment.            
  • Has an in-depth knowledge of anesthetic agents and their actions, emergency drugs, impending complications, and emergency treatment of complications, should they occur.
  • Follows recovery room guidelines.
• Must comply with all HIPAA privacy regulations regarding the confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Must file an incident report for any unusual event that occurs to a patient or member of staff; this would include, but not be limited to, falls, needlestick injuries, aspiration of gastric contents, allergic reactions, and disruptive behavior by staff or patients. Also required to report any incidences or alleged incidences of abuse, harassment, or injury to self, other employees, or patients occurring at the Center or relating to the Center. Further specifications can be found in the Abuse Reporting documents and Code of Safe Practices, provided by the Director of Nursing.

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Qualifications:

• Maintains current RN licensure and BLS certification, ACLS, and PALS (if applicable).

• Has full command of the English language both verbal and written.
• Is willing to serve as patients' advocate during the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases of surgical intervention.
• Meets the needs of the center as demanded by the surgical schedule, particularly when overtime hours and time changes become necessary.
• Assists in the O.R. as necessary.
• May be expected to lift twenty-five pounds without assistance. Is required to obtain assistance when moving patients unable to assist in moving unless patient is in wheelchair or on gurney. May be required to push patients in wheelchairs or on gurneys. Will be expected to obtain assistance when needed.