RN PACU PRN

Provides leadership and direction to the patient care team. Performs age-specific physical, psychological, and social assessments, formulates nursing diagnoses, and develops a plan of care, which includes individualized treatment strategies for the post-anesthesia setting.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes and documents a thorough and accurate PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) admission assessment and utilizes critical judgment to analyze patient assessment data to develop an appropriate plan of care. Implements a plan of care or care pathway to provide individualized care for each patient. Plan of care is based upon patient assessment, physician and anesthesia orders and preferences, and procedure specific criteria in a manner that is prioritized and timely.
• Demonstrates and maintains knowledge and skills necessary to meet physical, psycho-social, spiritual, cultural, and age appropriate needs of each patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to perform all aspects of nursing care in both routine and emergency situations. Communicates changes in patient condition to physicians and necessary staff in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate administration of medications and treatments according to policy, procedure and protocol. Verbalizes knowledge and demonstrates consistent use and compliance for written protocols (i.e.; pain, conscious sedation, skin, restraint, abuse, parental bonding, etc.)
• Evaluates and documents patient's progress toward achievement of outcomes. Meets discharge and ongoing patient educational needs related to treatment, procedures, disease process, equipment, medications, physician orders, and follow up care.
• Communicates with patient family members while patients are in PACU in a timely manner.
• Reports outcome progress and patient specific information to responsible caregiver when leaving department, end of shift, or upon transfer to another unit.
• Demonstrates competence in delegation, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Evaluates care given by team members and gives feedback. Effectively supervises team members and maintains accountability for standard of care provided. Acts as a resource to other team members.
• Organizes and utilizes time efficiently. Demonstrates appropriate prioritization. Maintains an organized work environment. Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively on a team. Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships with patients, significant others, multidisciplinary team members, and co-workers. Assists in other surgical services departments as needed.
• Applies the existing body of evidence-based practice and scientific knowledge in health care to nursing practice, ensuring that nursing care is delivered based on patient’s age-specific needs and clinical needs as described in the department's Scope of Service.
• As an SSM Health nurse, I will demonstrate the professional nursing standards defined in the professional practice model.  Uses the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses to guide his/her response to the current and evolving health and nursing needs of our patients and our patient populations.
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing

EXPERIENCE

• No experience required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Constant use of speech to share information through oral communication.
• Constant standing and walking.
• Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.
• Frequent sitting, reaching and keyboard use/data entry.
• Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.
• Frequent use of smell to detect/recognize odors.
• Frequent use of hearing to receive oral communication, distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.
• Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs.
• Occasional lifting/moving of patients.
• Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting, gripping and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements.
• Occasional driving.
• Rare crawling and running.