RN - PACU

RN - PACU

Shift: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM, 4 x 10s Mon-Fri. Occasional on-call shift, variable start times (11:00 latest).

Will be floating between PACU and Same Day Surgery (Phase I and Phase II areas).

Applying the principles of the nursing process and working within the policies/procedures of the Patient Care Services Department and the Medical Center, the staff nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who, as the patient's primary nurse, is responsible and accountable for:

• The overall management of the nursing care provided, assuring competent, compassionate and cost-effective patient care from admission to discharge;
• Assuring the safety, comfort, personal hygiene and protection of patients and performing disease prevention and restorative measures;
• Responding to medical and environmental emergencies.

Provides competent, compassionate and cost effective patient care in accordance with unit, department, hospital policies, scientific principles, sound nursing practice/process, nursing objectives and standards of care:

• Plans/coordinates delivery of care to maximize efficient care delivery ensuring the safety, comfort, personal hygiene and protection of patients and maintaining a safe environment;
• Sets priorities for and provides patient care in routine and complex situations;
• Serves as liaison between nursing and medical staff to facilitate collaborative approach to patient care;
• Coordinates involvement of patient, physician, family and other health team members to manage patient care, hospital resources and services to achieve optimal level of patient care;
• Sets priorities, initiates and directs emergency interventions in a calm, efficient and competent manner;
• Exercises clinical judgment and critical thinking in all aspects of the nursing process and unit activities; develops creative solutions to problems:
• Administers treatments, medications and performs nursing skills in a timely manner;
• Maintains current knowledge of patient care status and monitors patient's perception of care through clinical rounds;
• Assures physicians are informed of significant changes in patient's condition;
• Analyzes, inputs and integrates the patient acuity levels in accurate and timely manner;
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to effectively interact with patient population served.

Conducts initial and ongoing assessment of the patient/family including consideration of biophysical, psychosocial, spiritual, environmental, self-care, educational and discharge planning factors:

• Completes nursing assessment (coordinates completion of other required screening assessments) within 24 hours of admission;
• Ensures nursing process is carried out on an individualized goal-directed basis to meet all patient needs including patient assessment (including pain, age-appropriate factors), patient care plans, patient/family education, discharge planning, disease prevention and restorative measures;
• Observes patient's physical condition and behavior, interprets information and ensures patient's acuity levels are identified/documented;
• Identifies, observes and monitors patients at risk for untoward events and implements precautions/activities to reduce the risk and avoid events;
• Evaluates/re-evaluates, through observation and communication, the effectiveness of plan of care.

Develops the patient's plan of care as it relates to biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational and discharge needs in collaboration with patient and family, physician and other disciplines:

• Develops/implements plan of care and timely interventions based on patient/family interview, observation, chart review and consultation with other health team members;
• Documents/communicates patient assessment, plan of care, outcomes and other pertinent information with other health team members;
• Evaluates/re-evaluates, through observation and communication, the effectiveness/outcomes of the patient's care plan in collaboration with patient/family, physician and other disciplines:
• Modifies plan, communicates and initiates follow-up activities as appropriate.