Registered Nurse PACU

Description To plan and deliver safe, effective preoperative and postoperative nursing care until patient is dismissed from the facility. Qualifications Education: Graduate of an accredited School of Professional Nursing. Current licensure by the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse. Experience: Progressively demonstrated clinical competencies, preferably with a minimum of two years of PACU or Critical Care experience. Current certification in ACLS (and PALS where appropriate) or ability/commitment to achieve certification within 60 days of employment. Physical Demands The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee must frequently move upper extremities within full range of motion, stoop, and bend at 90 degrees, and occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds. Work Environment The noise level is usually moderate. The exposure risk to bloodborne pathogens is great. Language Skills Speaking voice of good quality and tone; speech is understandable. Standards of Pre‑Operative Care Initiates physical and psychological patient assessment and creates a preoperative patient care plan. Criteria for Evaluation Utilizes appropriate body mechanics when moving patients and stretchers to prevent injury to patients and self. Determines appropriate priorities for activities based on work demand. Maintains adequate supplies for area to function smoothly. Reviews schedule daily and obtains physician’s orders for the following day as necessary. Maintains a clean and neat patient care and work area. Responsible for pre‑op interview (phone and in‑house). Knowledgeable of labwork normals and variables, and physician orders. Works closely with the Surgical Scheduler and Anesthesia Provider on days posted in interview office. Standards of Care (Pre‑Operative) Identifies patient arm band and greets patient and family. Checks and assures that physician’s preoperative orders are complete. Verifies surgical site verbally with patient. Assesses patient’s understanding of procedure and checks surgical consent for accuracy and completeness. Obtains signature on surgical consent when appropriate. Obtains history and performs physical and psychological assessment of the patient, identifying physical and emotional status. Obtains vital signs upon admission, rechecks if abnormal. Initiates intravenous therapy as indicated, utilizing aseptic technique with appropriate I.V. catheter, rate, and fluid. Administers preoperative medications as prescribed and monitors patient appropriately until transferred to the operating room. Documents assessment and nursing care on appropriate records. Reports test abnormalities and any other pertinent information to surgeon, anesthesiologist, operating room staff, and other preoperative area staff as necessary. Assesses patient’s level of fear/anxiety and provides comfort and support for patient and family. Maintains patient’s privacy, comfort, and safety in the holding area (e.g., bed rails up, brakes on stretchers). Standards of Post‑Operative Care Checks all emergency carts for preparedness. Checks work area for adequate stock supplies. Prepares workstation and checks oxygen and suction equipment. Determines appropriate priorities for activities. Maintains adequate inventory of supplies and equipment in a cost‑effective manner. Makes recommendations to PACU coordinator regarding equipment needs and purchases. Standards of Care (PACU) Assesses patient for patency of airway and continually monitors adequacy of ventilation, providing airway support as needed. Reports patient’s condition and vital signs to anesthesiologist immediately and as necessary during postoperative period. Performs head‑to‑toe assessment of patient and evaluates patient by approved scoring system. Checks dressing and/or operative site and reports abnormalities to surgeon. Provides a safe, warm, caring environment for patient and family, while restraining patient for safety reasons as needed. Understands usual PACU drugs thoroughly and recognizes need for reversal drugs. Administers medications as needed to achieve safe and optimum analgesia and relieve nausea/vomiting. Recognizes emergency situations and responds effectively in a calm, controlled manner. Ensures that all patients meet all discharge criteria and provides patient and family with written discharge instructions, ensuring understanding. Provides appropriate information to nursing personnel regarding patient status when transferring patients from PACU to other patient care areas. Assists in transporting patients from the PACU to designated patient care areas, using appropriate monitoring devices as necessary. Assists physicians with scheduled treatments as requested. Thoroughly documents all of the above on patient records. Standards of Care (Interpersonal Skills) Serves as a role model and resource person for peers and co‑workers. Functions as a team member and, when necessary, a team leader. Maintains good relationships and communicates well with patients, families, staff, and physicians in a professional manner. Communicates with and provides assistance for other personnel in a kind and courteous manner. Follows chain of command regarding intra‑ or inter‑departmental problems. Shares knowledge with co‑workers through open communication and continuous upgrading of skills. Standards of Care (Reliability) Reports to work as scheduled, on time, with no unexcused absences. Accurately records daily arrival and departure through use of time clock. Notifies department in advance of tardiness or absence. Willingly accepts assignments and floats to other areas as needed, performing effectively on a daily basis. Adheres to dress code and maintains a clean, neat appearance. Requests vacation and other time off according to Center policy. Works overtime as needed or assigned. Performs other duties as assigned. Standards of Care (Professional Growth) Attends required in‑services annually as well as programs to enhance clinical skills. Maintains current knowledge of advances in surgery, anesthesia, and the perioperative field of nursing. Maintains current knowledge of medical/legal trends in surgery and PACU. Evaluates suggestions objectively, accepts constructive criticism, and seeks guidance as needed. Standards of Care (Ergonomics) Minimum amount of heavy lifting for this position. Moderate amount of pulling or assisting patients from stretcher into chairs. Must position patients, lift instrument trays, move equipment, and transfer patients from one location to another. Uses good posture and body mechanics when lifting or applying physical stress to the body. Other duties may be assigned by the immediate manager/supervisor and/or Administrator. #J-18808-Ljbffr Pinnacle Orthopaedics