Updated: Apr 6, 2024
Location: Los Alamitos
Job Type:
Department: Recovery Room-LOM

I. JOB SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Director of Surgical Services and /or Clinical Manager the Registered Nurse is responsible for organizing, planning, directing, coordinating, providing high quality, and individualized patient care. The nurse will demonstrate organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills. The nurse will demonstrate proficient performance standards in performing their daily work duties to meet the department expectations. The nurse works effectively and productively with shared responsibilities. The nurse will provide physical psychological and spiritual needs to the individual patient. Continuously seeks ways to improve processes and meet customer satisfaction with patients and physicians.

JOB SPECIFIC SKILLS/*ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS*
TELEPHONE SKILLS - Demonstrates hospital telephone etiquette by answering the phones promptly, courteously and identifying department and self. Consistently exhibits a professional attitude.
POLICIES/PROCEDURES- Is aware of and follows all hospital and department policies and procedures.
TEAM WORK-Promotes positive co-worker relationships through team work and cooperation. Understands and supports the needs of individuals in other departments and promotes conflict resolution. Shares information, work knowledge and experience with coworkers, physicians and students in a non-threatening manner. Offers assistance and promptly responds to requests. Follows and utilizes the proper chain of commands when necessary.
PRODUCTIVITY -Maintains high productivity and performs efficiently regardless of whether the work volume is high or low. Appropriately prioritizes work activities. Responds to difficult situations with self-control and a positive attitude. Makes decisions independently and knows when to ask for assistance. Exercises good judgment and arrives at sound decisions.
ASSESSMENT-
Demonstrates accurately patient identification by using the patients name and date of birth. Performs appropriate nursing history and physical upon admission and on an ongoing basis. Collects and documents patient data accurately.

Demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in special procedures.
PLANNING-Provides continuity of care by communicating the plan of care and diagnostic data through hand off communication from one department to other and from one team to another. Assesses safety of the patient care environment. Delegates task to unlicensed personnel to ensure smooth running of schedule.
IMPLEMENTATION-
Sets priorities and gives nursing care based on the patients needs.
Follows through with care plan established by other team members (i.e. anesthesia and physicians). Coordinates the activities of others disciplines of the healthcare team to implement the individual care plan.
EVALUATION-Evaluates and recognize alterations in physiological and psychosocial status. Collaborates with other team members to revise the patient care plan according to changing needs of the patient. Document revisions of the goals and plan of care to meet the changing needs of the patient.
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT-
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT-
Demonstrates the philosophy of the team concept.
Participates in staff meetings with suggestion that enhance the work environment and increase productivity.
Communicates well with supervisor, reporting problems with equipment, supplies, or procedures.
Complies with safety and infection control standards.
Consistently projects positive professional image through appearance and behavior. Attends 75% of staff meetings or reads and initials 100% of meeting minutes. Completes assigned work within shift.
Consistently work to improve identified hospital-wide problems. Complies with ensuring accurate system to documentation occurrences.
Ensure regulatory compliance with Core Measures & National Patient Safety Goals. Meeting 100% compliance with SCIP components
Is knowledgeable of performance improvement methodology and participation of collection of data.
ASSESSMENT-Demonstrates ability to effectively assess and care for postoperative patients during the immediate post anesthesia period. Collects and documents patient data on PACU nursing record and identifies potential patient problems, reporting findings to the anesthesiologist and/or physician.

• Follows PACU Pain and Nausea protocol developed by the Anesthesiologists. Provides a safe and therapeutic environment. Follows hospital policy and procedure for reporting patient outcomes. Uses Pyxis drug system appropriately.
• Prepares patient for nerve blocks, educates patient and assists physician with procedure.
  Completes all patient documentation in chart concisely and legibly. Prepares billing forms for each patient correctly. Collects data for cath lab patients, SDS patient, and ICU/CCU patients for monthly reports.
• A recognize emergency situations and implement emergency procedure, e hospital policy. Maintains current CPR, PALS, and ACLS certifications. Furthers knowledge in post anesthesia care by attending educational courses and on-line education offerings. 17. Actively performs and promotes process improvement activities within the department. Collects monthly data and encourages positive communication to improve outcomes. Promotes process change when desirable and indicated. Maintains all SCIP protocol when appropriate.
• Identifies patient outcomes specific to the post anesthesia patient, which include respiratory and cardiovascular maintenance or improvement stabilization of fluid and electrolyte balance, protection from infection, management of pain and nausea, environmental safety, privacy and emotional support.
• Assists new employees with orientation. Evaluates and mentors as necessary. Actively supports new staff in learning new skill sets and functions as mentors to staff and students.
• Completes hand off communication to all departments in a concise and efficient manner. Allows for receiving department to ask questions as necessary. Assists department transporters to deliver patients when needed and required.
• Maintains a clean working environment. Ensues that all equipment is clean and in working order prior to patient use. Daily assesses all equipment alarms are working and audible. Checks parameters for vital signs on all equipment prior to use. Checks crash cart and Malignam Hyperthermia emergency equipment daily.
• Performs any other duties or responsibilities, which may be assigned.
  Provides competent care to all patients in the PACU setting. Continues to communicate with department manager during process changes which affects the PACU department. Accepts assignment of data collection for monthly reports. Ensures that all equipment is clean and working properly in the department. Assists other staff members and provides a resource knowledge base.
  Maintains open communication with fellow staff members and encourages team work within daily scope of caring for patients.
  Recognizes changes in patient status and quickly reports to physicians. Keeps charting current and up to date. Places patients at ease and maintains comfort for patients places in her care.