Registered Nurse - PACU WIP - Full Time/Days - Req#2117962203

Brief Description

Job Objective:

In addition to the objective outlined in the AVH Registered Nurse (RN) Job Description, the Women and Infants Pavilion (WIP) PostAnesthesia Care Unit (PACU) RN is responsible for providing post-operative and post-procedural nursing care of patients undergoing surgical and/or other invasive/procedures in the WIP PACU at Antelope Valley Hospital. The RN shall function under the guidelines of American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN), Association for Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN) Standards for Professional Nursing Practice in the Care of Women and Newborns, as well as the policies and procedures of the department and hospital.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meets all the essential duties and responsibilities of the Registered Nurse (RN).
• Additional duties and responsibilities of the WIP PACU RN:
• Provides age and developmentally appropriate specialized nursing care to obstetric/gynecologic patients during the post-operative/procedural period.
• Provides newborn care to the infant after delivery. Facilitates/assists with skin-to-skin and breastfeeding when mother and baby are stable.
• Insures patient safety throughout the continuum of post-anesthesia care.
• Initiates and operates pain management equipment (i.e. PCA, Epidural, etc) per physician order.
• Assesses patient for hypothermia and malignant hyperthermia and takes appropriate action.
• Possesses knowledge of airway management and appropriate interventions.
• Manages care of critically unstable patients during the post-operative phase of their care.
• Observes and monitors by the methods appropriate to the patient’s medical condition, including monitoring oxygenation, ventilation, circulation and temperature.
• Ability to assist with insertion of invasive lines and manage vasoactive drips.
• Provides appropriate age specific education to patients and their families.
• Possesses knowledge of “Core Measures” as it applies to the perioperative period.
• Assists Operating Room staff during emergencies
  

Non-Essential Duties:

• Copying, faxing.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possesses all the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Registered Nurse (RN).
• Up to date knowledge of current drugs, trends and techniques in the care of perioperative patients.
• Ability to function independently with strong critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prime and maintain arterial line, blood warmer equipment and rapid infuser.
• Ability to recognize OB hemorrhage; knowledge of OB hemorrhage algorithm.
• Knowledgeable regarding standard nursing assessment of dermatome levels of post-operative patient with spinal blocks and epidural analgesia.
  
  

AVH Values: All AVH 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 from an accredited school of nursing.
• Completes twenty (20) hours of training in Breastfeeding and Lactation within 6 months of hire.
• BSN or MSN preferred.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year recent clinical experience in Critical Care/Intensive Care, PACU and/or L&D specialty area required; two (2) years preferred.
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Meets all required licensure and/or certifications of the Registered Nurse.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification required prior to completion of orientation and within 1 month from date of hire to WIP Surgical Services/PACU Area.
• Basic Fetal Monitoring certification required prior to completion of orientation and within 4 months from date of hire.
  
  

Desired:

• Certification as a Certified Post-Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN), Certified Ambulatory PeriAnesthesia (CAPA) Nurse, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB), or Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
• STABLE Program certification.
  
  

AVH Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVH Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked 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
• Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
• 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 AVH
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
• Conforms with required and appropriate Joint Commission 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 AVH Board of Directors
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.
• Ability to follow the Code of Business Conduct
  
  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical conditions.
• May be exposed to contaminated Instruments that may cause infections, burns, or cuts
• Required to take mandatory call shifts in rotation with other WIP PACU staff.
• Call shifts require thirty (30) minute response time.
• Requires frequent walking, standing, bending, twisting and reaching, and must be able to speak, see, and hear.
• Ability to frequently lift, push and pull up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to occasionally assist, as part of team, in lifting, pushing and/or pulling patients for the transfer of care, requiring exertion of up to and over 50 lbs.
• Must be able to use standard office equipment.
  
  

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

Job Objective:

A Registered Nurse is responsible for the nursing care of patients as established by the Nursing Practice Act of the Board of Registered Nursing of the State of California and as guided by policies and procedures of the hospital.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Nursing Process
• Applies nursing process in direct patient care:
• Provides accurate assessment and documentation of physiological, psycho social, cultural, developmental, socioeconomic, and spiritual needs of patient as evidenced by assessment within time frame appropriate for level of care
• Provides logical sequence of action, updates nursing care plan as evidenced by notations on care plan, provides evaluation each shift of patient’s progress In relation to the patient care plan, if applicable to area of care
• Provides Information to patient/family relating to educational resources available, Directs patient/family educational process
• Provides discharge planning beginning on admission with appropriate referrals and update as required by the patient
• Adheres to the admission and transfer criteria
• Adheres to all current policies and procedures in providing patient care and seeks clarification if needed.
• Evaluates and documents outcomes of medical, nursing, and ancillary team interventions
• Incorporates time management skills in accomplishing care
• Nursing Care Delivery Process
• Knowledgeable regarding current nursing practices and procedures
• Demonstrates knowledge and use of resources and forms
• Demonstrates knowledge of hospital structure and administrative resources
• Demonstrates ability to interpret rules and regulations
• Knowledge of legal aspects of nursing care
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal documents pertinent to unit/area of care
• Demonstrates knowledge of Patient rights
• Acts as liaison between medical staff and patient care team
• Technical Equipment
• Able to operate technical equipment in area of care, safely, efficiently, and accurately
• Environment
• Assists in maintenance of a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment
• Assesses safety/cleanliness of patient/unit environment and reports conditions requiring change
• Utilizes resources, equipment, and supplies efficiently and with cost awareness
• Reports hazardous conditions to appropriate department for correction
• Uses clean and aseptic techniques for protection of patients and personal safety
• Prevents contamination and/or transfer of Infection by use of the Exposure Control Plan and Standard Precautions in daily work
• Demonstrates knowledge of emergency codes
• Leadership/Professionalism
• Supervises care provided by others
• Assumes responsibilityfor quality of care given
• Gives accurate and concise patient care report to appropriate persons
• Gives accurate, concise patient care reports
• Demonstrates knowledge of scheduling guidelines
• Maintains professional attitude and effective working relationships with fellow staff members, other departments, patients’ families, medical staff and volunteers
• Functions appropriately and effectively under pressure. Provides care as part of team effort in crisis or emergency situation
• Adheres to all privacy laws when dealing with confidential and protected health information (PHI)
• Maintains the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Adheres to the Code of Conduct
• Adheres to all Antelope Valley Hospital Compliance & Integrity Program policies and procedures including the duty to report compliance violations and the duty to disclose conflicts of interest
• Completion of all mandatory initial and annual training within assigned time frames per established guidelines
• Demonstrates ethical decision making, integrity, and a willingness to promote a culture of safety
• Communication
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, visitors, and physicians
• Responsible for problem solving and crisis intervention related to physicians, patients, families, and staff
• Follows the Chain of Command and Conflict Management process established by AVH
• Displays a willingness to follow directions and to accept and utilize constructive criticism
• Age Specific & Cultural Requirement
• Demonstrate knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific and cultural groups
• Participates in age specific and cultural educational and training programs
• Demonstrates proficiency in required age specific and cultural competencies
  
  

Non-Essential Duties:

• Participates on unit or hospital based committees
• Other duties as assigned, within compliance with Title 22, The Joint Commission, and CMS.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
• Conforms to required accreditation standards.
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality management and performance improvement guidelines
  
  

Skills

• Skill and ability to follow telephone etiquette/standards
• Displays a willingness to work as a team player
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
  
  

Abilities

• Ability to adhere to all established AVH policies and procedures and to interpret and function under these.
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
• Ability to relieve clerical staff at desk, or to adopt any function commonly assigned to unlicensed
• assistive personnel, or as allowed within scope of nursing practice, as needed
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
• Ability to be flexible in meeting staffing requirements of the facility
• Ability to meet basic health requirements and physical job standards
  
  

AVH Values: All AVH 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

• Maintains current licensure, certifications, education, and physical health standards
  
  

Participates in mandatory and/or optional educational activities/offerings. Attends staff meetings regularly and as required by assigned unit

• Demonstrates knowledge and competency on hospital information technologies used in the designated patient care area.
• Successfully completes written and practical competencies annually or otherwise as assigned.
  
  

Experience

• Two years’ acute care nursing preferred, new grad training provided as appropriate
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Current California Registered Nursing license
• BCLS Certification
• ACLS, PALS, and/or other additional Certifications required for some specialty areas
• Resuscitation credentials such as (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc) are required before completion of orientation period.
  
  

AVH Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVH Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked 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
• Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
• 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 AVH
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
• Conforms with required and appropriate The Joint Commission 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 AVH 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:

• Work often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical conditions
• Accepts additional workload during times of unexpected circumstances, e.g., high activity, high census, and sudden emergencies
• May be exposed to contaminated instruments that may cause infections, burns, or cuts
• May also be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation
  
  

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

Requirements

Education and Experience:

Education

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• Completes twenty (20) hours of training in Breastfeeding and Lactation within 6 months of hire.
• BSN or MSN preferred.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year recent clinical experience in Critical Care/Intensive Care, PACU and/or L&D specialty area required; two (2) years preferred.
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Meets all required licensure and/or certifications of the Registered Nurse.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification required prior to completion of orientation and within 1 month from date of hire to WIP Surgical Services/PACU Area.
• Basic Fetal Monitoring certification required prior to completion of orientation and within 4 months from date of hire.
  
  

Desired:

• Certification as a Certified Post-Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN), Certified Ambulatory PeriAnesthesia (CAPA) Nurse, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB), or Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
• STABLE Program certification.