Pre Op / PACU Registered Nurse

POSITION:                          Pre-Op/PACU Registered Nurse

DEPARTMENT:                Nursing

REPORTS TO:                   Nurse Manager

JOB SUMMARY:               Provides planned, skilled nursing care for patients in the pre-operative and post-operative periods. Provides assessment, patient surveillance, and timely administration of physician’s orders to prepare patients for procedures. Provides assessment, patient surveillance, and timely administration of physician’s orders to prepare patients for discharge.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required.
• Current New York State licensure required.
• Experience in post-operative or critical care area preferred.
• BCLS and ACLS.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Strong organizational skills, detail oriented.
• Proficient at setting priorities.
• Constant and frequent judgment and response, occasionally in response to an emergency, actual events or drills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – must be able to work independently and as a team member.
• Computer literate preferred (Microsoft – Word, Patient Database Software).
• Basic Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support required.
• PALS Certification required (Syosset SurgiCenter only)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Require high level of visual and auditory acuity for timely response and patient care assessment activities.
• Ability to move quickly in response to physician and patient needs.
• Ability to stand for long periods, occasional overhead and low reaching.
• Occasionally exert force up to 50lbs, frequently up to 20 lbs, and constantly up to 10lbs.
• Patient care activities may require the ability to exert force up to 30lbs constantly, up to 40 lbs occasionally, and up to 100 lbs. rarely.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Center.
• Supports, and performs according to, approved policies and procedures.
• Participates as a team member in support of the total peri-operative process.
• Considers patients rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.

1. Contributes to the progress and development of the approved Continuous Quality Improvement/Rick Management Program.

• Supports risk management and participates in programs directed to patient and staff safety.
• Contributes to the quality management process, identifies role and contributions to functional teams.
• Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances, and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.

2. Communicates and interacts effectively with patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers.

• Interactions are respectful and courteous.
• Assist others with their questions or needs.
• Provide excellent customer service to all patients, families/significant others, co-workers, managers, physicians, consultants, and vendors.
• Communicates effectively and professionally, using a translator when necessary.
• Documents that information, received from the patient is disseminated to the appropriate people or departments.

3. Maintains and promotes professional competence through continuing education and other learning experiences.

• Participates in committees, conferences, and quality management activities.
• Researches and submits pertinent articles for review at staff meetings.
• Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.
• Objectively evaluates suggestions or criticisms and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance, as needed.
• Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations.
• Attends and actively participates in meetings, committees, in-services, workshops, seminars, and conferences according to job responsibilities and Center requirements.
• Assists with the orientation and training of new personnel and acts as a resource person for patient care problems.

4. Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.

• Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and noncompliance according to Center policy.
• Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities; enforces compliance with safety and security policies and procedures.
• Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure.

5. Interacts appropriately with various age groups.

• Accurately assess and interprets age-specific patient data.
• Accurately interprets age-specific patient responses to questions and instructions.
• Involves the patient’s family/significant other in decision making about the patient’s care.
• Provides care appropriate to the patient’s age group.
• Accurately applies knowledge of growth and development.
• Considers age-specific patient requirements when responding to emergency situations.

6. Effectively organizes time, equipment, supplies, and personnel.

• Organizes nursing activities efficiently; considers staff abilities when delegating activities.
• Uses equipment effectively by anticipating patient needs and providing appropriate care.
• Confirms that proper techniques and procedures are used according to accepted standards of practice.
• Assists with the inventory of supplies, drugs, and equipment to maintain availability and stock levels in the pre/post-operative areas.
• Considers cost-effectiveness in the provision of care.
• Maintains order and cleanliness of pre/post-operative areas.

7. Performs thorough pre-operative patient assessment.

• Assesses the physical and emotional status of the patient according to policy; documents assessment on appropriate forms.
• Develops a plan for patient care based on the assessment data; implements and documents pre-operative care according to Center policy.
• Informs patient and family/significant other about routine care and procedures related to the pre-operative experience.
• Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient and supports the patient’s right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
• Serves as a patient advocate, as necessary, in providing a safe and secure environment for the patient.

8. Performs safe and individualized nursing care for the patient in the immediate post-operative period.

• Assesses and documents the patient’s physical and emotional status upon arrival in the post-operative area.
• Documents post-operative care and identity of second person in the post-operative area during the patient’s recovery from anesthesia/sedation according to Center policy.
• Provides nursing care to meet patient needs related to surgical condition and type of anesthesia administered.
• Provides discharge instructions to patient and family/significant other according to Center policy.