PREOP - PACU Registered Nurse (RN)

Job Description

Job Description

JOB OVERVIEW

Registered Nurse PACU/Preop position available at a multispecialty, 4 OR ASC centrally located in San Diego.  Fast-paced, freestanding, Medicare Certified outpatient facility doing a variety of cases - especially ORTHO, ENT & GENERAL SURGERY is looking for a motivated team player to join its staff.  M-F, no weekends, nights or call.  Will consider candidates for either per diem employment or a full-time position which includes a benefits package that offers medical, dental & vision plans, a 401k, PTO & profit-sharing programs.  Competitive salary offered (range $48 - $60 / hour) based on qualifications and experience level.

POSITION SUMMARY

The peri-anesthesia nurse is responsible for patient assessment, care, and teaching in preoperative and postoperative units.  

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Collaborates with other nursing staff in the pre-op, intra-op, and post-op areas as well as with ancillary staff such as but not limited to medical assistant to provide safe, efficient patient care.
• Collaborates with business office staff to efficiently admit and discharge patients.
• Possible participation as a member of facility committees to assess and promote quality patient care.
• Works cooperatively with all physicians utilizing the facility.  Promotes positive relations with physicians and their office staff.

RN PREOP AND PACU DUTIES

• Responsible for admitting and preparing patients for surgery and/or procedures
• Assures patient comprehension of the procedure.  This may include communication with family or support persons of the patient.
• Coordinates with business office staff for maintaining an efficient patient flow.
• Provides information and education to the patient.
• Completes nursing assessment and documentation
• Starts IV treatments as necessary.
• Responsible for the professional post-operative nursing care of the patient by utilizing the nursing care process and making a plan for patient care. Coordinates care with other disciplines involved in patient care.
• Assesses the patient’s recovering from sedation and/or anesthesia and makes appropriate judgments for nursing intervention.  Recognizes life threatening arrhythmias and initiates appropriate therapy and/or assures assistance.
• Monitors the patient’s level of consciousness through communication and appropriate observation of blood pressure, O2 saturation, cardiac and respiratory status.
• Performs venipuncture as necessary for IV restarts and administers medications as ordered by a physician.
• Prepares patient for discharge with post-operative instruction and teaching; discharges patient per appropriate orders.
• Makes plan for patient care.
• Makes assignments, teaches, and supervises care given by ancillary personnel.
• Using professional nursing care assesses the needs and status of the patient.
• Administers and controls narcotics and medications as appropriate.
• Maintains patient records and charts.
• Evaluates outcomes and adjusts nursing care process as necessary in consultation with other nursing staff and physicians.  Participates in quality improvement activities.
• Institutes emergency care as appropriate.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.  Possesses an understanding of the range of treatment needed by patients dependent on the stage of growth and development of an age group’s life span. 
• Participates in staff meetings, committees, staff development and educational programs to meet personal, professional, facility certification and regulatory requirements.
• Accepts responsibility for patient safety and assures safe practice.
• Demonstrates competency necessary to perform patient care.
• Participates as a member of the Center team to promote a positive working environment.
• Adheres to policies and procedures of the facility.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Registered Nurses are directly responsible to the Clinical Supervisor.  The Medical Director and Administrator also act in a supervisory role for these employees.

QUALIFICATIONS
 
To perform these jobs competently, an individual must be able to perform each essential/primary duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, training and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities or special needs to perform the essential functions.

• Graduate of professional school of nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred, with a minimum of 1-2 years of experience in a medical facility, preferably in a multi-specialty hospital or ambulatory surgery center setting;
• Current California RN License, BLS & ACLS Certification;
• Knowledge of medical terminology; detail-oriented with the ability to organize and prioritize work and follow through using one’s own initiative;
• Skill to interact with all levels and to communicate in an effective manner; 
• Ability to read, write and comprehend instructions, memos and basic correspondence applying common sense understanding to carry out duties;
• While performing the physical tasks associated with the position, there will regularly be walking, use of hands and arms, reaching, standing, sitting, talking and hearing.  There will be occasions which require bending and crouching, kneeling and climbing and lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds.  Must be able to push gurneys with patient up to 400 pounds (2 people pushing gurney)
• Push wheelchair up to 400 pounds  
• Vision abilities include close, distance, color and peripheral vision. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.  For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.