PACU Registered Nurse 11:00P - 7:30A

Post-Anesthesia Clinical Care Activities

Evaluate and manage patient's airway postoperatively including breakthrough laryngospasms; apply knowledge of the physiological changes to the airway postoperatively as a consequence of anesthesia and surgery.

Perform manual intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV).

Be aware of the risk factors that contribute to the condition and make decisions when caring for patients and families.

Monitor cardiopulmonary function, airway patency, and oxygen saturation.

Provide prompt care to minimize the incidence of emergence delirium; maintain safety environment while patient experiencing emergence delirium.

Evaluate and treat post-operative pain in a timely manner with appropriate intervention.

Manage epidural administration of local anesthetics and opioids.

Manage patients with central neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks.

Monitor complications associated with administration of analgesics and act promptly to minimize adverse incidents.

Transformational Leadership

Contribute to Magnet re-designation as evidenced by independent involvement or leadership in: committees, task force and/or community outreach.

Communication reflects development of plan of care and ability to advocate to meet patients' needs; make suggestions for resolution of system issues.

Role model procedures for escalation of issues and utilize chain of command.

Demonstrate proper use of identified hand off processes; follow up on inconsistent practice related to handoff.

Take the lead in implementing change and support management decisions.

Role model behavior reflecting empathy, concern and a desire to help others.

Structural Empowerment

Independently maintain regulatory requirements e.g. license, BLS.

Initiate professional activities to enhance nursing practice.

Engage in active review of peers giving constructive feedback through timely participation in evaluations.

Role model adherence to national safety standards and service excellence standards; champion advancement of education and certification.

Orchestrate involvement of the healthcare team and role model professional behavior and teamwork with co-workers.

Serve as a resource as needed and know when to escalate to next level

Exemplary Professional Practice

Analyze assessment data gathered from patient and family to ensure completion of database and plan of care within identified timeframes.

Role model excellent clinical skills with complex patients; care will reflect analysis of patient status and appropriate interventions.

Direct prioritization and organization for complex patient with rapidly changing needs.

Documentation will exemplify adherence to the highest standards of practice.

Anticipate and proactively plan for educational needs verify with patient and family throughout the hospital/outpatient stay and prior to discharge.

Role Model care in all encounters with patient and family as evidenced by feedback from parents and an increase in patient satisfaction scores.

Safety

Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Children's National Medical Center