Registered Nurse (RN) - OR - Operating Room
Excela Health
Clarion, PA

Registered Nurse PACU/ Surgicare

PACU Nurse skills and qualifications * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. * Comfortable working in a high-pressure environment. * Good eye for detail while monitoring patients. * Ability to quickly notify medical personnel regarding abnormal side effects or changes in a patient's condition. * Proficiency with hospital management systems, such as Meditech Expanse. * Must be able to be in an on-call rotation. PACU Nurse duties and responsibilities * Observing patients for side effects of anesthesia. * Monitoring and recording patient vital signs. * Monitoring patient's level of consciousness throughout sedation recovery. * Performing post-operative tasks, such as administering medication or changing dressings. * Checking and updating patient files, charts and medical records. * Collaborating with surgeons, anesthesiologists, physicians and other members of the patient's care team. * Providing comfort and answering questions when patients wake from sedation. * Educating patients and their families regarding post-surgery care at home. Qualifications Graduate of a State Board approved program of professional nursing. Holds a current Pennsylvania State License as a registered nurse. Critical Care experience preferred. Certified in basic CPR. Certified in ACLS, and PALS. An integral function of the staff nurse is patient teaching to promote positive health outcomes. Acts as a preceptor to all staff and students and is responsible for orientation of assigned staff. Maintains position specific skills and competencies as required on annual basis. Maintains CEU's appropriate to discipline in order to maintain clinical competency. Functions as a patient advocate through education to the patient and family including health promotion. Responds to patient care needs on a timely fashion, including, but not limited to call bell response, verbal requests, and bed exit alarms. Maintains adherence to patient rights. Administers prescribed treatments, medications, therapies within the scope of practice. Participates in nursing and hospital committees as appropriate. Attends at least 70% of department staff meetings. Demonstrates strong customer service skills, and professional behavior when dealing with all individuals and groups, both internally and externally. Demonstrates respect and communication skills when interacting with all individuals and groups, both internally and externally Assesses the patient's physical and psychosocial condition on an ongoing basis throughout the continuum of care. Develops a plan of patient care reflecting significant nursing diagnoses and interventions to achieve desired patient outcomes, involving the patient/family and healthcare team in this process. Plans, coordinates and implements patient's plan of care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. Evaluates patient outcomes, effectiveness of plans of care, and readiness for discharge. Revises as needed, and makes referrals when indicated. Utilizes manual and automated information systems to improve patient safety Act as a liaison in coordinating patient care activities with nurses, physicians and allied health professionals. Communicates patient's plan of care to all multidisciplinary team members and to the patient, family and significant others. Provides education as indicated after assessing the learning needs of the patient and family. Demonstrates cost effectiveness by using supplies judiciously, anticipating needs for special supplies and equipment, and making recommendations for change. Complies with established personal protective equipment requirements necessary for protection against exposure to blood and other potentially infectious body fluids, chemical disinfectants, radiation, antineoplastic/cytotoxic agents and other hazardous substances. In some specialized areas the RN, maintains total care of the patient including but not limited to, connecting, monitoring and interpreting electronic displays, responding to emergencies by initiating life saving actions including advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols. Performs other duties as assigned. Agrees to comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, rules, regulations, and standards of conduct relating to the position and has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to his or her immediate supervisor, the Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed with or without reasonable accommodations by incumbents of responsibilities other than those specifically presented in this description. Reporting Relationships Reports to: Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse Supervises: GN, LPN, Nursing Assistant, Unit Secretary, Nurse Externs and Technicians.