RN, PACU at CARTI in Little Rock, Arkansas

Job Description:

Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family-centered care in the post-anesthesia care unit and other areas of perioperative services for all patient populations. The PACU nurse will provide care for post-operative patients recovering from general, regional, and local anesthesia. Responsible for observing and treating a post-operative patient, ensuring safe emergence from anesthesia. Documentation and patient education are key components of the PACU nursing role.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
Assess the patient's postoperative status at intervals according to facility or health care organization policies and procedures to include the patient's:

Cardiovascular system.
Respiratory system and airway management needs.
Neurological system.
Hemodynamic stability.
Pain and comfort needs.
Mental status.

Interpret information accurately from various noninvasive and invasive monitors.
Describe the underlying pathophysiology of commonly encountered disease processes.
Describe the physiology associated with various anesthesia techniques and surgical or procedural interventions.
Apply the relevant scoring system/discharge criteria for patient transfer (e.g., Aldrete Score, Modified Aldrete Score (i.e., PARSAP), Post Anesthesia Discharge Scoring System (PADSS), White) score accurately as defined by organizational policy.
Develop an individualized perianesthesia plan of care.
Implement the plan of care including the following interventions:

Managing patient recovery from anesthesia - general.
Managing patient recovery from anesthesia - monitored anesthesia care.
Managing patient recovery from anesthesia - regional.
Managing patient recovery from anesthesia - local.

Protecting patient from injury caused by positioning, thermal sources, and extraneous objects.
Communicating the patient's current status throughout the perianesthesia continuum of care.
Providing acute pain and comfort management as needed.
Administering medications correctly by implementing the 7-rights of safe medication practices (i.e., right patient, right medication, right dose, right time, right route, right indication, right documentation).
Performing interventions to maintain the integrity of the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels.
Performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient's genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels.
Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia after the immediate postoperative period.
Performing interventions to protect patients from infection.
Managing patient's other co-morbid conditions as applicable.
Managing patient's fluid as prescribed.
Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person and providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain and comfort management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure.
Involving the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care and the rehabilitation process.
Protecting patient's rights, dignity, and privacy.
Providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and
Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.
Evaluate the patient's progress toward attaining outcomes.
Transfer care as needed.
Delegate tasks according to the state Nurse Practice Act (if applicable), state board of nursing or professional registration requirements, state laws, and job descriptions.
Document nursing care completely, accurately, and legibly.
Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as needed.
Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects.
Participate in the performance appraisal process.
Use critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.
Maintain required competencies.
Pursue professional growth and participate in a professional organization.
Act as a patient advocate and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE, REGISTRATION:
Required:

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
Associate degree in nursing required, Bachelor's degree preferred
Current registered nurse licensure in state of employment
Two years post post-anesthesia care experience
Proficient in electronic medical record documentation
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification

Preferred:

Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) certification
Basic computer skills (e.g., Microsoft® Word)

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physically demanding, high-stress environment
Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals and other hazardous materials, radiation, and repetitive motions
Pushing and pulling heavy objects
Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients
Manual and finger dexterity
Hand and eye coordination
Standing and walking for extensive periods of time
Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds
Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range
Working under stressful conditions

REASONING ABILITY:

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

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.
Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians other departmental personnel, and outside agencies frequently 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
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.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment involves potential exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals and other hazardous materials, radiation, and repetitive motions while performing the essential functions of this job. Team members are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

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.