Full Time Pre-op/PACU RN

The Registered Nurse PreOp / PACU is responsible for admitting the patient to the clinical area and providing nursing care to the pre-operative and post-operative patient, as well as, developing a nursing care plan specifically designed for the individual patient. Additionally, the incumbent may be cross trained in other clinical areas and may be expected to perform duties other than their normal ones as staffing and patient needs change.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs pre-op and post-op calls to patients
• Develops and maintains an effective working relationship with patients, families, visitors and other center employees
• Ensures the pre-operative, post-operative, observation/inpatient area has a clean and therapeutic environment
• Ensures supplies and equipment needed are available and in good working order
• Admits the patient to the unit and prepares him/her for the scheduled procedure
• Makes initial assessment, identifies patient’s physical and mental status and determine the patient nursing needs
• Explains nursing procedures and actions taken to help reduce anxiety
• Assures surgical consent, pre-operative test results, history and physical are in the medical record prior to proposed
procedure
• Instructs patient of orders given by physician or physician assistant
• Implements doctor’s orders in a timely and accurate manner
• Monitors patient medical condition and reports any significant changes to the admitting physician or anesthesiologist
• Reports any important health history facts to the operating room nurse/medical director
• Documents patient care delivered, accurately in the medical record
• Educates patients and family and provides emotional support as necessary
• Communicates additional discharge needs when applicable (transportation, durable medical equipment)
• Completes patient care responsibilities in a timely manner with accurate documentation
• Adapts to unexpected changes and effectively acclimate to various work schedules to achieve high quality of care
• Plans for routine events and anticipates/prevents and manages/evaluates emergent situations
• Protects patient and family privacy rights and maintains confidentiality of patient records in accordance with policy
and procedure and HIPAA requirements
• Follows all safety rules on the job, reports all accidents promptly and corrects minor safety hazards.
• Communicates with peers and management regarding any hazards identified in the workplace
• Maintains established center/departmental policies, procedures and adhere to the company standards of business
conduct
• Performs other related duties as assigned

 

• Ability to adequately diagnose, plan and implement nursing interventions and evaluate patient condition
• Understand and maintain clinical competencies (general, age specific and drug administration)
• Practices nursing within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act of Texas and accepts responsibility and accountability for own actions
• Demonstrates clinical problem solving, critical thinking and makes decisions using evidence based analytical approach
• Strong attention to detail, careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks
• Strong computer skills with knowledge in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word) and EMR
• Ability to document concisely, precisely, and accurately on all records or documents as indicated by policy
• Ability to work independently by guiding oneself with little or no supervision and depending one oneself to get things done.
• Ability to respond quickly, physically and mentally when priorities and /or the patient’s condition changes.
• Ability to maintain effective and organized systems to ensure timely patient flow.
• Ability to comply with facility policies, procedures and mandatory education programs
• Ability to adapt with flexibility, being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Ability to collaborate with team members and respond positively to requests for assistance
• Ability to accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations
• Demonstrates self-control, maintain composure, keeps emotions in check, controls anger and avoids aggressive
behavior, even in difficult situations
• Ability to communicate professionally with patients demonstrating excellent, polished patient interaction skills
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service and professional phone etiquette
• Ability to perform repetitive standing, sitting, stooping, walking, stretching, and reaching
• Ability to clean, maintain, and make minor adjustments to equipment

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• College degree, minimum of an Associate’s Degree
• Two (2) years of experience in a peri-operative environment
• Registered Nurse in the State of Texas; License must remain active and unencumbered while employed
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified