Pre Op/PACU Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Under the direction of the Director of Perioperative Services, the Registered Nurse collaborates with the interdisciplinary

team in the delivery of patient care, utilizing the nursing process. Provides professional nursing care to patients, including

conducting nursing assessments, assisting with exams and treatment, patient education, and documentation in the medical

record. In addition, the RN organizes a plan of care which includes organizing, evaluating, and delivering all aspects of

each patient’s care.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Utilizes the nursing process to provide quality patient care according to established standards of care which includes

planning, implementing, evaluating, and adjusting plan of care, and discharge planning based on expected patient

outcomes.

o Admits, transfers, and discharges patients.

o Completes ongoing patient assessment and documents according to policy.

o Completes nursing assessment within department standard time of admission or designates reason for

incompleteness. Reviews database and nutrition screen.

o Participates in the development of patient plan of care to include patient problems, goals, evaluation, and

interventions.

o Reports symptoms and significant changes in patient’s condition to appropriate personnel.

o Assesses, collaborates, and coordinates patient’s discharge planning needs and readiness for discharge with other

members of the care team.

· Demonstrates appropriate application of age specific standards, policies and procedures and guidelines in caring for

child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

o Follows age specific standards in administering medications based on the patient’s age.

o Follows age specific standards of care during altered states of consciousness related to analgesia, conscious

sedation, or anesthesia.

o Uses age specific standards, policies and procedures, and guidelines to perform treatments and procedures that

are routine for unit/clinic based on patient’s age.

· Incorporates cultural and developmental needs into plan of care.

o In collaboration with the patient/family, and in a developmentally and culturally appropriate manner, implements the

plan of care.

o Demonstrates competency in the provision of nursing care according to established standards of nursing practice

and in a developmentally appropriate manner.

· Demonstrates critical thinking skills, ability to provide and delegate activities to staff based on patient assessment and the

requirements to deliver care in a safe efficient manner maximizing positive outcomes for the patient.

· Provides documentation of patient care in the patient record according to established standards of nursing care.

· Collaborates and works cooperatively with physicians and other members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team in

formal and informal teaching of patients and/or family about his or her disease process and wellness promotion plan and

discharge planning.

· Assesses patient/family learning needs, abilities, preferences, and readiness to learn.

o Utilizes a collaborative interdisciplinary process to provide appropriate patient/family education.

o Utilizes available information to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching in producing the desired patient outcomes

and adjusts in teaching as indicated.

· Assesses patient for pain and controls pain with alternative pain control methods and medication. Reassesses the

patient for pain control and response to methods used. Communicates with the physician when pain is not resolved. · Applies practice to meet the regulations, standards and laws required for excellent, safe patient care. · Assesses the patient’s post-anesthesia condition, including all systems with emphasis of the respiratory and circulatory systems, wounds, dressings, and pain levels in a systematic and continuous manner. · Demonstrates competency in management of airways. Collaborates and contacts anesthesiologist when necessary. · Adequately assesses and reassesses pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques and administers medications as ordered. · Communicates with patient and family in an effective manner, explaining and educating the patient and family on information needed. · Upon discharge, educates patient and family on discharge orders and instructions. If transferring to the inpatient unit, provides appropriate hand-off communication to the receiving nurse. · Demonstrates the spirit of the philosophy, mission, and values of the hospital through words and actions and implements them into departmental processes, programs, and the working environment. · Applies the principles and values of customer service and continuous quality improvement while performing day to day activities of the position. · Maintains and protects confidentiality regarding all aspects of patient care, personnel, and strategic issues. Adheres to Confidentiality Policy. · Maintains positive working relationships and fosters cooperative work environment. Adheres to the hospital’s compliance program. · Displays honesty and mutual respect when communicating with peers and other departments. · Follows through on problems that may compromise effective job performance by using appropriate chain of command. · Adheres to safety practices and meets requirements of National Patient Safety Goals. · Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience and Certifications)

· Graduation from accredited school of nursing required.

· Current license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas.

· Two (2) years’ experience as a registered nurse in the hospital setting with PACU experience required experience in Pre-Op is preferred.

· Current American Heart Association BLS & ACLS

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

· Knowledge of Microsoft Office.

· Ability to write concise, legible documentation in patient’s medical record.

· Knowledge of nursing care methods and procedures.

· Rhythm recognition, knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations.

· Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.

· Ability to work with other members of the healthcare team to meet patient’s needs.

· Ability to interact in a positive manner and to communicate well with patients, families, coworkers,

employees,supervisors, and other hospital employees.

WORKING CONDITIONS, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Lifting objects in excess of fifty (50) pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to twenty (20)

pounds.

• Ability to stand on non-carpeted, composite surfaces for extended periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or crawl,

reach, use fine finger movement, speak and hear.

• Ability to walk long distances on a regular basis. Indoor climate controlled, well lighted and well ventilated. •

• May be subjected to unpleasant sights and odors, stressful situations and hazardous or infectious agents where judgment

as to precautions needed to be taken is essential.

• Climate control and ambient temperature variances may be experienced and required by patient care and needs of the

surgical team.

• Hours of duty may be irregular or unexpectedly extended due to the requirement of patient care.

· OSHA TASK CATEGORY I: The normal procedure involves potential exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue. Universal

Precautions with patients should be adhered to in the unlikely event of accidental exposure with ready access to first aid.

Protective devices should be worn by the employee when performing tasks that may cause exposure.

In - Person position in Houston, Texas

Company Description

In - Person position in Houston, Texas