Registered Nurse, PACU

As a PACU Nurse, you will provide specialized care for patients as they recover from anesthesia after surgery. Your role will involve monitoring vital signs, managing pain, and addressing any complications or side effects from anesthesia. You’ll work closely with the surgical team to ensure smooth transitions for patients through recovery, preparing them for discharge when they are stable.

Your quick thinking, clinical expertise, and commitment to patient safety and comfort will be essential in delivering the highest level of care in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preoperative & PACU Care: Provide compassionate and attentive care before, during, and after surgery to ensure patients feel comfortable and confident throughout the process.

• Team Collaboration: Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and the broader healthcare team to ensure coordinated and effective patient care.

• Patient Advocacy: Ensure patients’ needs are met, follow safety protocols, and prioritize patient comfort during the recovery phase.

• Post-Op Recovery: Monitor patients closely after surgery, manage pain levels, address complications, and offer reassurance and emotional support as they recover.

• Documentation & Communication: Accurately document patient care and communicate with the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care and compliance with facility policies.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Organizes time, equipment, supplies, and staff to provide effective case management.

• Supervises and directs patient care in a single operating room.

• Organizes nursing activities efficiently and effectively delegating activities appropriate to the abilities of available staff members.

• Assists with supply, drug, and equipment inventories to maintain stock level and availability.

• Addresses patient needs during admission to the operating room with attention to requirements specific to the outpatient setting.

• Identifies the patient and correct surgical intervention according to Facility policy and communicates with all surgical team members.

• Reviews the patient's medical record and needs to plan care with other health care team members.

• Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient; maintains patient's privacy and dignity.

• Explains intraoperative phase routine procedures and care to the patient.

• Performs the circulating nurse's functions adhering to approved operating room procedures for the scheduled procedure.

• Prepares operating room according to the procedure to be performed and patient needs.

• Anticipates needs of the surgical team; assists anesthesia staff by supporting the patient during administration of anesthesia.

• Provides continuity of patient care by communicating with other perioperative care personnel and documenting records appropriately.

• Responds in a timely manner to meet the needs of the patient and physician.

• Documents patient care records and other forms accurately according to facility policy.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of standard concepts, practices, and procedures within OR Nursing.

• Knowledge and experience in the perioperative care of surgical patients.

• Knowledge of specialized equipment used in the OR.

• Excellent communication skills Ability to respond effectively to emergencies, actual events or drills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient and employee information.