RN - PACU

New Orleans VA Medical Center

New Orleans VA Medical Center provides quality, compassionate, and safe health care to veteran patients throughout 23 parishes in southeast Louisiana. Recently, the SLVHCS expanded the New Orleans community of clinics by opening an Urgent Care Center. Patients can now avoid long waits in the emergency room for minor illnesses or injuries and receive timely health care provided by VA professionals experienced in urgent care. If the patient's emergency does require immediate attention they should dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Nurses provide direct and individualized nursing care to patients based on the application of scientific nursing principles.

• Provides age and culturally appropriate care to patient
• Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans
• Monitors patient's vital signs, such as blood pressure, breathing and heart rate, and initiates corrective action whenever the patient displays adverse symptomatology
• Follows continuous cardiac and respiratory monitor readings, such as EKG tracings, O2 stats, CVP/arterial line waveforms, if applicable, and reports any observed changes
• Changes dressings, inserts catheters, starts IVs (both central venous & arterial)
• Administers infusion therapy, including: IV fluids, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, electrolytes
• Monitors and adjusts specialized equipment used on patients, such as ventilators
• Prepares and administers and records prescribed medications. Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments
• Assists treating physician during examination, treatment and procedures, which can include life-saving situations
• Analyzes lab results
• Assists with the insertion or discontinuation of CV catheters, arterial lines, external ventricular drains, epidural catheters and endotracheal tubes, Foleys
• Provides education, information and emotional support to the patient's family and caregivers
• Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting

Qualifications:

• Must have a degree as an RN or LPN from an accredited, recognized education program.
• A current, unrestricted license
• Must have 1 year of acute care clinical experience.
• Must have an AHA approved BLS certificate