Pre/PACU Registered Nurse

OVERVIEW:

Provides planned, skilled nursing care for patients in the critical preoperative and postoperative periods. Provides continuous patient surveillance for early recognition and immediate emergency treatment of medical or surgical complications that may arise in any preoperative or postoperative patient.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Organization.
• Supports, and performs according to, approved policies and procedures.
• participate as a team member in support of the total perioperative process.
• Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.
• Contributes to the progress and development of the approved Quality Improvement Program.
• Supports risk management and participates in programs directed to patient and staff safety.
• Contributes to the quality management process; identifies role and contributes upon request; participates in data collection activities to support the Quality Improvement Program.
• Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances, and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.
• Communicate effectively with supervisor/management, patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers.
• Interactions are respectful and courteous.
• Communicate effectively and professionally using a translator when necessary.
• Documents that information received from the patient are disseminated to the appropriate people or departments.
• Maintains and promotes professional competence through continuing education and other learning experiences.
• Participates in committees, conferences, and quality improvement activities.
• Objectively evaluates suggestions or criticisms and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance, as needed.
• Attends and actively participates in meetings, committees, and in-services according to job responsibilities and Facility requirements.
• Assists with orientation and training of new personnel and acts as a resource person for patient care problems.
• Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.
• Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and noncompliance according to Facility policy.
• Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities; enforces compliance with safety and security policies and procedures.
• Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure.

• Effectively organizes time, equipment, supplies, and personnel.
• Organizes nursing activities efficiently; considers staff abilities when delegating activities.
• Uses equipment effectively by anticipating patient needs and providing appropriate care.
• Confirms that proper techniques and procedures are used according to accepted standards of practice.
• Assists with inventory of supplies, drugs, and equipment to maintain availability and stock levels in pre/postoperative areas.
• Maintains order and cleanliness of pre/postoperative areas.
• Performs thorough preoperative patient assessment required by the outpatient setting.
• Assists in assessing the physical and emotional status of the patient upon admission according to Facility policy.
• Develops a plan for patient care based on assessment data; implements and documents preoperative care according to Facility policy.
• Inform patients and family about routine care and procedures related to the perioperative experience.
• Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient and supports the patient’s right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
• Performs safe and individualized nursing care for the patient in the immediate postoperative period.
• Assesses and documents the patient’s physical and emotional status upon arrival in the postoperative area.
• Documents postoperative care during the patient’s recovery from anesthesia/sedation according to Facility policy.
• Provides nursing care to meet patient needs related to surgical condition and type of anesthesia administered.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Intellectual

● Generate creative solutions.

● Demonstrates attention to detail.

● Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.

● Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.

● Develop alternative solutions.

● Works well in group problem solving situations.

● Communicates changes and progress.

● Completes projects on time and budget.

● Assesses own strengths and weaknesses.

● Pursues training and development opportunities.

● Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.

● Share expertise with others.

Interpersonal

● Manages difficult or emotional customer situations.

● Responds promptly to customer needs.

● Meets commitments.

● Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming.

● Maintains confidentiality.

● Keeps emotions under control.

● Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

● Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.

● Responds well to questions.

● Demonstrates group presentation skills.

● Participate in meetings.

● Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

● Puts success of team above own interests.

● Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.

● Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

● Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.

● Write clearly and informatively.

● Able to read and interpret written information.

Leadership

● Delegates work assignments.

● Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.

● Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Organization

● Implements cost saving measures.

● Conserves organizational resources.

● Demonstrate knowledge of EEO policy.

● Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.

● Educates others on the value of diversity.

● Promotes a harassment-free environment.

● Build a diverse workforce.

● Treats people with respect.

● Keeps commitments.

● Works with integrity and ethically.

● Upholds organizational values.

● Follows policies and procedures.

● Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.

● Supports organization's goals and values.

● Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses.

● Identifies external threats and opportunities.

● Adapt strategy to changing conditions.

Self-Management

● Adapts to changes in the work environment.

● Manages competing demands.

● Changes approach or method to best fit the situation.

● Able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.

● Consistently at work and on time.

● Ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent.

● Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

● Follows instructions, responds to management direction.

● Take responsibility for your own actions.

● Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.

● Completes tasks on time or notify appropriate person with an alternate plan.

● Volunteers readily.

● Undertakes self-development activities.

● Seeks increased responsibilities.

● Take independent actions and calculated risks.

● Look for and takes advantage of opportunities.

● Asks for and offers help when needed.

● Displays original thinking and creativity.

● Meets challenges with resourcefulness.

● Generate suggestions for improving work.

● Develop innovative approaches and ideas.

● Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

● Displays willingness to make decisions.

● Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.

● Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.

● Measures self against standard of excellence.

● Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.

● Prioritize and plans for work activities.

● Use time efficiently.

● Plans for additional resources.

● Approaches others in a tactful manner.

● React well under pressure.

● Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.

● Accepts responsibility for own actions.

● Follows through on commitments.

● Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

● Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.

● Completes work in a timely manner.

● Strives to increase productivity.

● Works quickly.

● Observes safety and security procedures.

● Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines.

● Reports potentially unsafe conditions.

● Use equipment and materials properly.

Language, Math, and Reasoning  

● Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedural manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

● Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

● Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, and TRAINING:

Associate of Science, Nursing (A.S.N.) or equivalent from two-year college and technical school; six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in postoperative or critical care areas is preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

● Nursing License (MA)

● BLS

● ACLS

● PALS (preop/postop RN), if applicable

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

● Patient care activities may require the ability to regularly lift and /or move up to 30 pounds, occasionally lift and /or move up to 40 pounds, and rarely lift and /or move up to 100 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; occasionally use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.

VISION REQUIREMENTS:

There are no special vision requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

● This position works in an environment with moderate noise level. (Examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic.)

● While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to bloodborne pathogens.

● While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to the risk of radiation.

● While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to chemical hazards.

Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.