Registered Nurse, PACU

Summary

The Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care and support for patients undergoing surgical and non-surgical procedures that receive anesthesia. The RN provides direct nursing care by assessing patients' needs, performing physical examinations, and taking health history and demographic information. In addition, the Registered Nurse plans, develops, implements, administers, evaluates and updates specialized plans of treatment and preventive care regimens in accordance with medical orders and nursing standards, and also annotates medical records in accordance with established procedures, implements infection control protocols, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

Summary

The Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care and support for patients undergoing surgical and non-surgical procedures that receive anesthesia. The RN provides direct nursing care by assessing patients' needs, performing physical examinations, and taking health history and demographic information. In addition, the Registered Nurse plans, develops, implements, administers, evaluates and updates specialized plans of treatment and preventive care regimens in accordance with medical orders and nursing standards, and also annotates medical records in accordance with established procedures, implements infection control protocols, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates proficiency in the care of patients receiving moderate sedation, regional and general anesthesia.
• Assessment and reassessment of pain upon admission and through stay.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate medication use and follows all policies concerning medication administration.
• Use of assessment and reassessment of patient's response to medications.
• Demonstrates knowledge and competency in hemodynamic monitoring.
• Utilize the nursing process along with AORN/ASPAN standards to ensure all of the patient safety goals are incorporated into the care of the patient.
• Assists physician during procedures, carries out physician orders.
• Demonstrate appropriate assessment skills including prioritizing and delegation of patient care activities.
• Communicate with other members of the health care team regarding the patient's condition during the post procedure period.
• Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic technique.
• IV Therapy
• Recognize and report signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Demonstrates clear knowledge necessary to provide patient care by ensuring all equipment and supplies are available for procedure.
• Demonstrates correct application for cleaning /disinfection of equipment.
• Specimen Handling
• Identifies emergency situations and institutes corrective actions in a calm and efficient manner.
• Completes documentation in an accurate, timely and legible manner.
• Completes all appropriate charges in a timely manner.
• Provides support and comfort to preoperative patients.
• Demonstrates knowledge and use of available resources to meet patient/family needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of alarm systems.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements

Experience

Previous PACU nursing preferred, Critical Care experience preferred.

Education

Graduation from an accredited school of Nursing required.

Licenses / Certifications

Must possess a limited permit to practice nursing, issued by the New York State Education Department, or a valid license and current registration, issued by the New York State Education Department, as a Registered Nurse. Current BLS and ACLS. PALS required within 3 months of hire. CPAN and/or CCRN preferred.

Other

N/A

Special Requirements

N/A