Pre Op /PACU Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU

Overview

• Utilizes the nursing process in caring for all patients, to include: assessing symptoms, planning interventions, implementing treatment plans, evaluating responses to interventions, and revising plan based on overall effectiveness.
• Demonstrates the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the population served.
• Adheres to the established practices standards and procedure at New London Hosptial, in the administration of all medications.
• Makes knowledgeable decision in consideration of the facts and the disease/surgical condition
• Provides education to patients and caregivers based on assessment of learning needs.
• Creates and monitors patient environment to ensure it is safe and free from hazards.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.
• Performs duties to meet the department needs to prepare patients during their time of care in surgical services.

Responsibilities

Pre-Operative Duties

• Manage patient's admission process to NLH surgical services
• Collaborate with anesthesia/surgeon to provide comprehensive admission care of the patient.
• Assess and document the status of patients' health per current ASPAN guidelines and hospital standards.
• Identify and report patient abnormalities to anesthesia/surgeon
• Ensure accuracy of patient, procedure and surgeon prior to surgical procedure.
• Work in conjunction with all appropriate team members to provide comprehensive care.
• Execute pre-procedure orders and document interventions.
• Assist anesthesia providers with pre-procedure interventions, document per current ASPAN guidelines and hospital standards.
• Oversee the work of the departments LNA.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure chart completeness prior to patients' surgical procedure.

Post-Procedure Duties

• Demonstrates competence in phase 1 and phase 2 care of all post anesthesia needs of patients.
• Assess and documents patient condition per current ASPAN standards and hospital guidelines.
• Identify physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate action in a timely manner.
• Reassess and documents patients response to interventions per current ASPAN standards and hospital guidelines.
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications and IV fluids and their correct administration, based on age and clinical condition of the patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring, identifies dysrhythmias, collaborates with appropriate team members and intervenes as appropriate.
• Perform interventions in cases of post procedure emergencies
• Assess and document patient status post radiology procedure, execute physician orders, and provide post procedure instructions in conjunction with radiology staff.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• 2 years relevant clinical practice (preferred critical care experience or PACU experience)

Required Licensure/Certifications

REQUIRED LICENSE(S):

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Licensed RN with NH eligibility REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:

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(ACLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support

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(BLS) Basic Life Support