Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Units

SCOPE OF POSITION:

The professional nurse practices, delegates, and collaborates with other team members to facilitate the coordination and delivery of patient care for the assigned patient population. The patient population is identified as neonate, infant, and child, adolescent, adult and older adult. The ODS and PACU Registered Nurse focuses on the pre and post operative needs of the patient. Reports to Manager, ODS/PACU.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Nursing Process - Provides quality care to all patients by utilizing the nursing process. The Registered Nurse is responsible to assess, plan, develop and implement a plan of care with appropriate interventions for the pre-operative and post anesthesia/post-operative patients.

Leadership - Demonstrates leadership to ensure all patient/family needs are met, regardless of race, religion, sex, age, disability, social or economic status while considering age specific factors. Applies the principles of case management to patient care, and have the autonomy, capability and motivation to be identified as one of the principal care givers for the patient, providing perianesthesia patient teaching, referring services and communicating pertinent information across the continuum of patient care. Manages and directs patient care in collaboration with other health care professional including surgeons, anesthesia providers, and assistive personnel. The Registered Nurse contributes to the efficient operation of the pre-assessment area, pre-operative area, and post-anesthesia care units by delegating responsibilities to the appropriate team members based on their scope of practice, knowledge and capabilities to ensure optimal utilization of personnel. Directs accesses and provides patient care to outpatients as well as inpatients.

Professional Behavior - Acts as a role model by promoting a professional and collaborative approach to patient care, consulting and communicating appropriately with all members of the care team. Collaborates and works cooperatively to resolve problems and ensure excellence in clinical practice. Demonstrates and promotes cultural sensitivity.

Quality - Actively participates in initiatives to ensure quality outcomes of patient care. Adheres to and responsible for meeting all standards of care as it relates to ASPAN, AORN, JCAHO, national and local regulatory requirements.

Competency - Maintains accountability for professional competency. Demonstrates competent knowledge and critical thinking to promote optimal patient care in the pre-assessment area, pre-op area, the Reed PACU and the Main PACU. Maintains required knowledge and skills; completes general/unit/department specific competencies.

REQUIREMENTS:

ACLS and BLS certified required.

Minimum one (1) year of Critical Care experience with one (1) year of critical care experience plus three (3) years of acute care nursing experience for a total minimum of four (4) years of experience within the past five years.

Main PACU PALS preferred.

Acts as a mentor/ preceptor.

Maintains an awareness of changing peri anesthesia practice issues.

Excellent communication skills.

Ability to interact with patients and family with tact and confidentiality.

Ability to work well as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Responsible and accountable for all patient care.

Ability to provide care and intervention to all patients to ensure positive outcomes.

Ability to work in a time working environment including exposure all patient elements i.e. blood borne pathogens, physical requirement; lifting and pulling patients, pushing stretchers standing and walking.

May be exposed to environmental hazards such as anesthesia gases or elements.

Ability to approach clinical responsibilities for patients with regard to growth and developmental issues related to the specific age groups of the population served.

Graduate of accredited RN program.

Must be a Licensed Registered Nurse in the State of Connecticut.

Must have basic computer skills and ability to access internet and other programs applicable to Waterbury Hospital procedures.

Perform automated functions that fall within job responsibility.