RN, Observation Unit

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the extended recovery unit and other areas of perioperative services, as qualified by training and competencies, for designated patient populations. This role will require overnight shifts when surgery cases necessitate extended patient care.

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supports the organization's mission, vision, and values.
2. Assess and monitor patients' extended recovery status, including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and pain management needs, according to facility policies.
3. Interpret information from various noninvasive monitors and understand the pathophysiology of common disease processes.
4. Develop and implement individualized extended recovery plans of care, managing patients recovering from all types of anesthesia and outpatient surgery procedures.
5. Administer medications correctly, following safe medication practices, and manage patients' fluid and pain as prescribed.
6. Maintain patient safety by protecting from injury, infection, and maintaining optimal physiological status across all body systems.
7. Provide age-specific, culturally competent, and ethical care within legal standards of practice, protecting patient rights, dignity, and privacy.
8. Assess knowledge level of patients or designated support persons and provide education on post-operative care, including psychosocial responses, nutrition, medication, pain management, and wound care.
9. Evaluate patient progress toward attaining outcomes and transfer care as needed.
10. Document nursing care completely, accurately, and timely, using electronic medical records proficiently.
11. Collaborate effectively with other disciplines and delegate tasks according to state regulations and job descriptions.
12. Participate in quality review, performance improvement projects, and the performance appraisal process.
13. Maintain required competencies, including BLS and ACLS certifications, and pursue professional growth.
14. Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to foster effective work relationships and resolve conflicts.
15. Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS: This position will require additional hours outside the normal 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday work schedule.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE and REGISTRATION:

1. Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
   Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college program or technical school or nursing diploma.
   1. Bachelor's degree, preferred
2. Current registered nurse licensure in Arkansas
3. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
4. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
5. Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or Certified Ambulatory Peri-anesthesia Nurse (CAPA) certification, preferred

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Minimum two years recent Med/Surg nursing experience, preferred
2. Post anesthesia care or extended recovery care unit, preferred
3. Excellent computer and other basic office equipment skills
4. Proficiency in documentation using an electronic medical record
5. Expertise in IV therapy skills

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
2. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

1. Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.
2. Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.

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.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
2. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
4. Ability to work overnight shifts and maintain alertness during extended hours when required.
5. Physically demanding, high-stress environment
6. Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals and other hazardous materials, radiation, and repetitive motions
7. Pushing and pulling heavy objects
8. Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients
9. Manual and finger dexterity
10. Hand and eye coordination
11. Standing and walking for extensive periods of time
12. Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds
13. Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range
14. Working under stressful conditions

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Colleagues are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

COMMENTS :

This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

SAFETY SENSITIVE

This position is a Safety Sensitive Position. The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the employee maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.