BASIC JOB PURPOSE:
To plan and deliver safe, effective postoperative nursing care until patient is dismissed from the facility.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:Graduate of an accredited School of Professional Nursing
Current licensure by the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse
Experience in which progressive clinical competencies have been demonstrated, preferably with a minimum two years PACU or Critical Care experience. Current certification in ACLS (and PALS where appropriate) or ability/commitment to achievement of certification within 60 days of employment.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to move upper extremities within full range of motion as well as stoop and bend at 90 degrees. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.The exposure risk to bloodborne pathogens is great.
Language Skills: Speaking voice that has good quality and tone; speech that is understandable.
STANDARDS OF POSTOPERATIVE CARE:
Plans and prepares for the postoperative care of the patient.
Checks all emergency carts for preparedness.
Checks work area for adequate stock supplies.
Prepares work station and checks oxygen and suction equipment.
Determines appropriate priorities for activities.
Maintains adequate inventory of supplies and equipment in a cost effective manner.
Makes recommendations to PACU coordinator regarding equipment needs and purchases.
STANDARDS OF CARE:
Implements care of the patient/family in PACU.
Assesses patient for patency of airway and continually monitors adequacy of ventilation and provides airway support as needed.
Reports patient’s condition and vital signs to anesthesiologist immediately and as necessary during postoperative period.
Performs head to toe assessment of patient and evaluates patient by approved scoring system.
Checks dressing and/or operative site and reports abnormalities to surgeon.
Provides a safe, warm, caring environment for patient and family, while restraining patient for safety reasons, as needed.
Understands usual PACU drugs thoroughly and recognizes need for reversal drugs.
Administer medications as needed. Achieves safe and optimum level of analgesia and relief from nausea/vomiting.
Recognizes emergency situations and responds effectively in a calm, controlled manner.
Assures that all patients meet all discharge criteria and that patient and family are given written discharge instructions and understands them.
Provides appropriate information to nursing personnel re: patient status when transferring patients from PACU to other patient care areas.
Assists in transporting patients from the PACU to designated patient care areas, using appropriate monitoring devices, as necessary.
Assists physicians with scheduled treatments as requested.
Always thoroughly document all of the above on patient’s records.
STANDARDS OF CARE:
Utilizes interpersonal skills in an effective manner.
Serves as role model and resource person for peers and co-workers.
Functions in role of team member and team leader when necessary.
Maintains good relationships and communicates well with patients, families, staff and physicians in a professional manner.
Communicates with and provides assistance for other personnel in a kind and courteous manner.
Follows chain of command regarding intra- or interdepartmental problems.
Shares knowledge with co-workers through open communication and continuous upgrading of skills.
STANDARDS OF CARE:
Demonstrates dependability and accountability.
Reports to work as scheduled, on time, with no unexcused absences.
Accurately records daily arrival and departure through use of time clock.
Notifies department in advance of tardiness or absence.
Willingly accepts assignments and floats to other areas as needed and performs effectively on a daily basis.
Adheres to dress code and maintains clean, neat appearance.
Requests vacation and other time off according to Center policy.
Works overtime as needed or assigned
Performs other duties as assigned
STANDARDS OF CARE:
Maintains professional growth.
Attends required inservices annually as well as programs to enhance clinical skills.
Maintains current knowledge of advances in surgery, anesthesia, and the perioperative field of nursing.
Maintains current knowledge of medical/legal trends in surgery and PACU.
Evaluates suggestions objectively, accepts constructive criticism, and seeks guidance as needed.
STANDARDS OF CARE:
Ergonomics.
Minimum amount of heavy lifting for this position. Moderate amount of pulling or assisting patients from stretcher into chairs. Must position patients, lift instrument trays, move equipment, and transfer patients from one location to another.
Uses good posture and body mechanics when lifting or putting physical stress on the body.
Requirements
Requirements
BASIC JOB PURPOSE:To plan and deliver safe, effective postoperative nursing care until patient is dismissed from the facility.QUALIFICATIONSEducation:Graduate of an accredited School of Professional NursingCurrent licensure by the State of Georgia as a Registered NurseExperience in which progressive clinical competencies have been demonstrated, preferably with a minimum two years PACU or Critical Care experience. Current certification in ACLS (and PALS where appropriate) or ability/commitment to achievement of certification within 60 days of employment.Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to move upper extremities within full range of motion as well as stoop and bend at 90 degrees. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.The exposure risk to bloodborne pathogens is great.Language Skills: Speaking voice that has good quality and tone; speech that is understandable.STANDARDS OF POSTOPERATIVE CARE:Plans and prepares for the postoperative care of the patient. Checks all emergency carts for preparedness. Checks work area for adequate stock supplies.Prepares work station and checks oxygen and suction equipment.Determines appropriate priorities for activities.Maintains adequate inventory of supplies and equipment in a cost effective manner.Makes recommendations to PACU coordinator regarding equipment needs and purchases. STANDARDS OF CARE: Implements care of the patient/family in PACU. Assesses patient for patency of airway and continually monitors adequacy of ventilation and provides airway support as needed. Reports patient’s condition and vital signs to anesthesiologist immediately and as necessary during postoperative period.Performs head to toe assessment of patient and evaluates patient by approved scoring system.Checks dressing and/or operative site and reports abnormalities to surgeon.Provides a safe, warm, caring environment for patient and family, while restraining patient for safety reasons, as needed.Understands usual PACU drugs thoroughly and recognizes need for reversal drugs.Administer medications as needed. Achieves safe and optimum level of analgesia and relief from nausea/vomiting.Recognizes emergency situations and responds effectively in a calm, controlled manner.Assures that all patients meet all discharge criteria and that patient and family are given written discharge instructions and understands them.Provides appropriate information to nursing personnel re: patient status when transferring patients from PACU to other patient care areas.Assists in transporting patients from the PACU to designated patient care areas, using appropriate monitoring devices, as necessary.Assists physicians with scheduled treatments as requested.Always thoroughly document all of the above on patient’s records.STANDARDS OF CARE:Utilizes interpersonal skills in an effective manner. Serves as role model and resource person for peers and co-workers. Functions in role of team member and team leader when necessary.Maintains good relationships and communicates well with patients, families, staff and physicians in a professional manner.Communicates with and provides assistance for other personnel in a kind and courteous manner.Follows chain of command regarding intra- or interdepartmental problems.Shares knowledge with co-workers through open communication and continuous upgrading of skills.STANDARDS OF CARE:Demonstrates dependability and accountability. Reports to work as scheduled, on time, with no unexcused absences. Accurately records daily arrival and departure through use of time clock.Notifies department in advance of tardiness or absence.Willingly accepts assignments and floats to other areas as needed and performs effectively on a daily basis.Adheres to dress code and maintains clean, neat appearance.Requests vacation and other time off according to Center policy.Works overtime as needed or assignedPerforms other duties as assignedSTANDARDS OF CARE:Maintains professional growth. Attends required inservices annually as well as programs to enhance clinical skills. Maintains current knowledge of advances in surgery, anesthesia, and the perioperative field of nursing.Maintains current knowledge of medical/legal trends in surgery and PACU.Evaluates suggestions objectively, accepts constructive criticism, and seeks guidance as needed.STANDARDS OF CARE:Ergonomics. Minimum amount of heavy lifting for this position. Moderate amount of pulling or assisting patients from stretcher into chairs. Must position patients, lift instrument trays, move equipment, and transfer patients from one location to another. Uses good posture and body mechanics when lifting or putting physical stress on the body.