Senior Registered Nurse - Ambulatory Surgery Center PACU

Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Ambulatory Surgery Center Day Shift Work Hours: 8 hr shifts 6am- 2:30pm (Monday- Friday) Employment Type: Full Time

Primary Purpose: A Registered Nurse (RN) with 2 or more years of experience. The RN is a licensed professional who uses the Parkland nursing professional practice model to coordinate patient care delivery, that focuses on a particular patient population(s)/specific health conditions, by the health care team. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses the patient, identifies nursing diagnoses based on responses to health problems, develops and implements an individualized plan of care, and evaluates the patient's response. The RN utilizes knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to assist patients to transition through the healthcare encounter without any preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions to health care personnel based on the Texas Nursing Practice Act, each patient's condition and the competencies of the employee.

Minimum Specifications:

• Education: Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• Experience: Must have 2 years of experience in an acute care hospital
• Equivalent Education and/or Experience: None
• Certification/Registration/Licensure: Must have current, valid RN license or temporary RN license from the Texas Board of Nursing, or valid Compact RN license. Must have current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from one of the following: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Military Training Network. Must have current Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification on hire or placement in role. Certification must be from one of the following: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Military Training Network. Must have current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) certification. Current incumbents and those hired between February 1st - 29th, 2024 will have 90 days from date of hire or placement in the position to attain the certification. Certification must be from one of the following: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Military Training Network.

Skills or Special Abilities:

• Provides care for pre- and post-operative patients in accordance with the current State of Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plan of care, and American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses' (ASPAN) Guidelines/Standards.
• Applicants must pass Medication Examination prior to hospital orientation. Current Parkland employees requesting reassignment to role must have current Mediation Examination on file.
• Provides continuous assessment of pre- and post-operative patients, consults with other team members as required, and provides nursing care which demonstrates patient centered/patient valued care.
• Must possess leadership abilities.
• Exercises independent judgment in providing nursing care and takes initiative in recommending changes to plan of care.
• Must be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and possess good oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, via the overhead paging system.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide direction to non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and serve on rotation as a charge nurse.
• Must be able to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors, be capable of handling complex peri-operative peri-anesthesia care, and initiate changes utilizing independent judgment with minimum supervision.
• Must be able to float/cover Pre-op, PACU, and Phase II as deemed necessary.
• Must possess knowledge of surgical procedures, anesthesia techniques, and consequent nursing interventions.
• Must be able to recognize emergency situations and assist in corrective action.
• Must be able to organize and prioritize assignments, duties, and responsibilities.
• As applicable, will be required to demonstrate acceptable knowledge of ASPAN Standards/Guidelines.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as a patient advocate, by focusing on patient needs, patient rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences. Maintains positive working relationships with all Parkland internal and external customers, employees, etc. Serves as a resource for patients and other healthcare team members. Serves as a resource for specific clinical patient care issues.
• Maintains and implements knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, procedures, philosophies, goals, objectives, laws and guidelines that impact or govern Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) nursing practice, and ensures the hospital and Parkland are in compliance. Develops effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal laws and the program requirements of accreditation agencies and federal, state and private health plans. Maintains and updates knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment and appropriate utilization of supplies and material.
• Completes pre- and post-operative patient assessments. Participates consistently in Universal Protocol, site marking identification, identifications of appropriate clinical interventions and skills appropriate to pre- and post-operative area assignments. Utilizes critical thinking skills to ensure optimal patient care.
• Provides critical care to patients in the pre- and post-operative areas. Performs appropriate patient assessments, continuous monitoring and recognizes changes in patient's conditions providing appropriate interventions as necessary. Consults with other team members as required, notifies providers to report changes in patient condition and implements orders in a timely manner. Exercises independent judgment in providing safe nursing care to the critically ill/stable patient. Provides safe medication administration, appropriate pain management, emergency resuscitation care, and individualized plan of care as needed. Ensures patient meets the phase 1 discharge criteria and provides appropriate hand off to ensure safe continuum of care.
• Completes appropriate documentation. Maintains accurate and timely entries and notations in patient care records and hospital documents. Ensures that all records meet the standards, goals, and objectives of the ASC and Parkland.
• Works with other staff in providing direction to non-nursing staff. Participates in information exchanges with nursing and other Parkland staff that support the standards, missions, goals, and objectives of the ASC and Parkland. Seeks and utilizes direction from more experienced staff and team members as needed. Serves on rotation as Charge Nurse as needed.
• Prepares pre-and post-operative areas for patient care.
• Assists patients with transfer to recliners, ambulating, and to vehicles upon discharge in order to ensure patient safety.
• Provides individualized patient/family education and discharge planning customized to the patient and procedure performed both pre- and post-operatively.
• Contacts patients post-operatively, per policy, to monitor for complications.
• Serves as a preceptor and trainer to newer nursing staff members.
• Prepares and conducts an in-service educational program for the ASC, at least once per year.
• Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve patient and customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor. Implements and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the ASC and Parkland. May serve on various interdisciplinary committees as assigned.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements and trends in nursing practice by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, and actively participating in professional organizations (ASAPN, etc.) Maintains State of Texas Licensure as a Registered Nurse, plus any additional required licensures/certifications. Integrates knowledge gain