Perianesthesia RN

Job Summary:

The Perianesthesia Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive nursing care throughout all phases of perianesthesia, including Pre-Op, PACU Phase 1, and PACU Phase II. The RN applies the nursing process within the scope defined by the Oregon State Board of Nursing to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care. The role involves patient education, interdisciplinary collaboration, documentation, and management of patients undergoing anesthesia and moderate sedation. Strong critical thinking, airway management, and communication skills are essential. Responsibilities:

• Assist physicians with endoscopic examinations and perform gastric manometer testing.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary team efforts to ensure patient readiness for surgery.
• Review and assess patient status related to planned surgery including physical parameters, lab values, medications, and learning needs.
• Consult with surgeons, anesthesia, and other providers to resolve patient issues and prevent surgery cancellations.
• Begin interdisciplinary discharge planning involving patients and caregivers.
• Perform EKGs as ordered and manage patient care during anesthesia recovery, including pain control.
• Manage patients undergoing moderate sedation, including medication administration and airway management.
• Identify and interpret cardiac rhythms; proficiently use cardio-respiratory monitoring equipment.
• Conduct physical, psychosocial, and learning needs assessments appropriate to nursing scope.
• Establish nursing diagnoses and develop individualized care plans in collaboration with the team.
• Implement nursing care including activities of daily living assistance, medication administration, skin and wound care, pain management, and operation of biomedical equipment.
• Assist licensed practitioners with invasive and non-invasive procedures.
• Educate patients and families on illness, treatments, medication, and wellness promotion.
• Provide supervision and direction to unlicensed assistive personnel.
• Document assessments, interventions, teaching, and patient care accurately and timely in electronic and paper records.
• Communicate patient status and care outcomes to the interdisciplinary team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Certifications:

• Current Registered Nurse license in the state of Oregon.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification or obtain within 6 months.
• American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course (ENPC) certification or obtain within 1 year.
• Strong airway management skills.
• Proficiency in cardiac rhythm identification and use of cardio-respiratory monitoring equipment.
• Effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to teach patients and families effectively.
• Proficient computer skills including electronic medical record documentation.
• Ability to attend work punctually and consistently.

Preferred Skills & Certifications:

• Specialty certification such as Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or equivalent.
• Recent acute care hospital experience within the past 5 years.

Special Considerations:

• Must be able to take call nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.
• Must reside within 30 minutes travel time to the hospital.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, and stretching.
• Must adhere to standard precautions due to exposure risk to blood and body fluids.

Scheduling:

• Full-time position with rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Shift assignments are based on departmental needs and may include variable hours within perianesthesia care phases.