PRN Pre/Post Registered Nurse (RN), Ambulatory Surgery Center

PRN Pre/Post Registered Nurse (RN), Ambulatory Surgery Center

The Pre-Op/PACU RN is responsible for providing high-quality care to patients before and after surgical procedures. This role involves preparing patients for surgery, monitoring their recovery from anesthesia, and ensuring a smooth transition through the perioperative process. The Pre-op/PACU RN reports to the Pre-op/PACU Charge Nurse and works closely with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals.

Responsibilities

Prepare Patients for Surgery

• Assess patients' physical and emotional needs.
• Take and record vital signs and medical histories.
• Initiate IVs and administer pre-operative medications.

Monitor Post-Anesthesia Recovery

• Observe patients for side effects of anesthesia.
• Monitor and record patient vital signs.
• Assess patients' level of consciousness and comfort.

Administer Medications and Treatments

• Administer pain medications and other treatments as necessary.
• Change wound dressings and provide post-operative care.
• Ensure patients receive appropriate pain management.

Coordinate Patient Care

• Communicate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Coordinate patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Provide detailed handovers to the next shift.

Educate Patients and Families

• Provide pre- and post-operative care instructions to patients and their families.
• Answer questions and address concerns regarding surgery and recovery.
• Offer emotional support and reassurance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing
• Active Texas RN license
• 2+ years pre- or post-op experience in pre-operative or post-anesthesia care.
• Flexibility in days and hours available to work

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Working Conditions

• Work hours are variable based on patient care needs but are generally Monday-Friday
• Ability to sit and stand for prolonged periods of time, ability to walk, some bending, stooping and stretching
• Ability to perform overhead and low reaching activities
• Requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to provide patient care and operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, and occasional use of other office equipment;
• Requires normal range of hearing/eyesight/voice projection to record, prepare, and communicate appropriately;
• Physical strength for equipment needs and patient care activities; may require frequent lifting/moving up to 50 pounds and occasional lifting/moving in excess of 50 pounds;
• Ability to move quickly in response to patient needs
• Exposure to noisy equipment
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, high stress/pressure, handles emergency or crisis situations, regular interaction with emotional patients and/or family members
• Work is performed in a patient care setting and may involve exposure to infections, communicable diseases and hazardous materials, radiation/laser, waste gases and blood and body fluids. Frequent exposure to water and chemicals used in disinfection/sterilization process

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest