RN PACU

Job Title: RN - Recovery 

Essential Functions: Assists in provision of nursing care to patients in a same day surgery setting. Assumes total responsibility for patient care in accordance with physician’s orders and centers policies. Monitors and controls use of and charging for supplies utilized in the center.  

Supervision Received:  Supervisor of Clinical Services 

Education/ Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current Registered Nurse License
• Current American Heart Assn. BLS and ACLS certifications 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Assesses, develops and implements total nursing care for post-operative patients
• Records and reports to appropriate persons all symptoms, reactions abnormalities and changes in the physical and/or mental conditions of the post-operative patients
• Administers medications and treatments ordered by the physicians
• Cares and discharges post-operative patients according to facility policies
• Able to accurately assess need for pain and /or nausea medication
• An order always precedes the administration of medication
• Intended actions and side effects are known
• Medications are documented
• Maintains patient and employee privacy and confidential information
• Provides psychological support to patients and/or families
• Maintains rapport with physicians and other departments providing care for the patients, (i.e.: home x-ray, outside radiology)
• Admits patients to sit-up area
• Performs routine charging of medications and supplies
• Accurately checks charge sheets for supplies used on patients
• Functions independently in emergency situations
• Able to make logical quick decisions based on sound judgment
• Maintains competence through continuing education
• Meets requirements for CEU re-licensure
• Assists in orientation of new employees with factual information regarding current departmental policies
• Acts as a resource for new employees
• Maintains supplies and cleanliness in the work environment 

Physical Demands:

• Standing:  66-100%
• Sitting:       0-33% 
• Walking:    66-100%
• Lifting:   0-50lbs. as needed
• Carrying: 0-25lbs. as needed
• Pushing:  0-400lbs. on wheels with assistance as needed
• Climbing: 1-5 flights of stairs as necessary
• Pulling:    As necessary while providing patient care
• Bending: Proper bending necessary to pick things off the floor
• Squatting: As necessary while providing care
• Rotating: Shoulders as necessary
• Kneeling: If necessary while providing patient care
• Reaching: overhead while providing patient care
• General comments: Visual and hearing senses must be adequate to provide patient care. 

Environmental Conditions:

• Inside 95-100%
• Outside 0-5%
• Temperature 30F-115F
• Fumes: Occasional
• Dust: Occasional
• Gases: None
• Odors: Occasional
• Mist: Occasional
• Radiation: Occasional
• Noise or Vibrations: Biomedical equipment, needles, sharps, copy machine, phones, latex, disinfectants, etc.
• Hazards: Occasional contact with communicable disease, electrical equipment, etc.
• Personal Protective Equipment: Provided (gowns, gloves, masks, head cover). 

This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements.  Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions may change as needs evolve.