Pre-Op/PACU RN

I. position duties

To utilize specialized nursing knowledge and discriminative judgment while giving direct and indirect patient care. Responsible for patient’s admission and pre-operative care; holistic preparation for surgery, considering all needs, including pre-operative education, escort/family members, psychosocial needs, utilizing preference cards, and acting under established protocols, practices, and standing orders. Coordinates pre-operative lab work required for individual patients, documenting and reporting pertinent results.

Responsible for the patient’s post-operative care and stabilization; holistic preparation for return to the home environment, considering all needs, including post-discharge care, escort/family members, educational and psychosocial needs, utilizing preference cards and acting under established protocols, practices, and standing orders. Performs thorough and accurate continual patient assessment, anticipating potential problems and reporting pertinent assessments to the anesthesiologist, supervisor, and/or surgeon appropriately. Ensures proper hand off communication with Circulating Nurse.

Documents actions completely and accurately in a timely manner . Keeps safety of patient, self, and others a primary concern at all times; acts appropriately in an emergency situation. Acts as discharge nurse when assigned, giving holistic and thorough discharge education.

Demonstrates good nursing knowledge base and rationale for actions, including cardiac monitoring. Supervises and directs, as delegated, the activities of non-professional personnel. Utilizes equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently, assisting with stocking, replenishing, and preparation of supplies.

Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisors. To function effectively as a member of the Surgery Center team. Participates as a team member in planning and implementation of patient care; takes responsibility for an adequate patient load, reviews schedule for next day with preference cards.

Reports for work in a timely manner and maintains good attendance record. Shows flexibility in accommodating schedule changes, i.e. working late or early, changing work days, etc. Utilizes time effectively. Organizes work effectively and appropriately to finish in a timely manner, and demonstrates the ability to produce results.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with other team members. Monitors surgery schedule continually, communicating arrivals, cancellations, delays; communicates with reception desk, contacts patients or surgeons who are late. Demonstrates interest and enthusiasm towards work.

Contributes to increase morale and positive attitude in the department and facility. Demonstrates the ability to accept change. Requires minimal supervision in daily tasks.

Reports pertinent information to Lead Nurse and/or Nurse Manager. To support quality activities. Participates in on-going committees and other educational programs to enhance patient care.

Makes pre and post-operative phone calls, assessing patient status and reporting any pertinent information to supervisor and/or anesthesiologist. Utilizes critical thinking and problem solving skills, making suggestions for improvement. Performs and documents daily assignments, including general housekeeping and maintenance of work environment.

Develops communication skills and promotes inter-departmental relationships to ensure continuity of care. Maintains current ACLS and BLS. Actively participates in QA activities (fire drills, OSHA, QI studies, etc…) Attends and actively participates in mandatory staff meetings.

Reporting relationships

A. Immediate Supervisor: Lead Nurse/DON

B. Positions to be supervised: Aides as delegated

Contact with others

A. Internal: Staff in Clinical Operations and Business Office

B. External: Physicians, Allied Health Professionals, Patients and Families, Representatives of Medical Industry.

Position requirements

Physical and mental – requ