Perianesthesia Registered Nurse - PACU - Full Time/Evenings - Req#2117962195

Brief Description

Job Objective:

The Perianesthesia Registered Nurse provides comprehensive nursing care across the perioperative

continuum, including pre-operative preparation, immediate post-anesthesia recovery, and Phase II

recovery through discharge or transfer. This role functions across procedural care areas including SDS,

Pre-Op, PACU (Phase I and II), and recovery, providing flexible staffing support based on patient care

needs. The RN practices in accordance with American Society of Perianesthesia Nursing (ASPAN)

standards, AVMC policies, and regulatory requirements to ensure safe, high-quality patient care before

and after anesthesia or sedation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promotes Patient Centered Care
• Pre-Operative Phase/ Same Day Surgery
• Prepares and assesses patients for surgery or procedures per department policy
• Verifies patient identity, documentation, and readiness for procedure
• Reviews diagnostic results and notifies physicians of abnormalities
• Provides patient and family education regarding procedure and recovery
• Completes and reviews required documentation
• Post-Anesthesia Care (PACU/Phase I Recovery)
• Provides specialized post-operative nursing care for patients recovering from anesthesia
• Manages critically unstable or high-acuity patients
• Monitors airway, ventilation, circulation, oxygenation, and temperature
• Manages invasive lines, drips, ventilators, and pain management equipment (PCA, epidural, etc.)
• Assesses for complications including hypothermia, malignant hyperthermia, and respiratory compromise
• Performs airway management and emergency interventions when indicated
• Phase II Recovery/ Discharge
• Assesses physiologic and psychological readiness for discharge or transfer
• Provides discharge teaching and instructions per Medical Center protocols
• Ensures safe recovery from general, regional, or local anesthesia
• Promotes family-centered recovery environment
• Monitoring and Clinical Management
• Performs ongoing clinical assessments appropriate to patient condition
• Applies Core Measures relevant to perioperative care
• Interprets EKG and diagnostic testing
• Provides pain and comfort management
• Maintains documentation of all care phases
  
  

Non-Essential Duties:

• Assist in performance improvement initiatives
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• ASPAN standards
• Core Measures
• Knowledge of patient’s rights and advance directives.
• EKG and diagnostic testing interpretation.
• Pain and comfort management of the perianesthesia patient.
  
  

Skills:

• Strong critical thinking skills
• Basic computer skills
• Good customer service skills.
  
  

Abilities:

• Able to function independently
• Able to communicate well.
  
  

AVMC Values: All AVMC employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.
  
  

Education and Experience:

Education:

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing.
• BSN preferred.
• Demonstrates knowledge and competency on hospital information technologies used in the designated patient care area.
• National certifications are desirable.
  
  

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years acute care experience required
• Experience in ICU, PACU, or critical care preferred
• Experience in pre-op or procedural nursing desirable
• Completion of perianesthesia course within 6 months of hire (if not already completed)
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• BCLS, ACLS and PALS certification required at time of hire
  
  

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Attendance and Punctuality Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Leaves of Absence Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy.
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code.
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities.
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties.
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards.
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters.
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff.
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVMC.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patients, hospital and department information.
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations.
• Safely and effectively use all the equipment necessary to carry out duties.
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Conforms with required and appropriate accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines.
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education.
• Display a willingness to work as a team player.
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times.
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVMC Board of Directors.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.
• Ability to follow the Code of Conduct.
  
  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• May float between SDS, Pre-Op, PACU, and recovery areas
• Required to take call shifts per department policy
• Mandatory weekend and holiday rotation
• May work 8-12 hour shifts
• Must meet physical requirements maintained by Employee Health
  
  

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.