RN PreOp PACU

Job Purpose:

The RN PreOp/PACU is a critical part of the surgical team and is responsible for providing quality nursing care to patients in the preoperative and post anesthesia care unit areas. The RN PreOp/PACU is also responsible for providing detailed education on the surgical and discharge process to patients and their families.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews patient’s medical history to ensure patient is appropriate for surgery center; performs a full physical assessment including vital signs

• Reviews patient lab results and alerts physician of any abnormal values

• Provides education to patient and patient’s family members on the surgical and discharge process; obtains signed informed consent from patient

• Prepares patient for surgery including starting IV, shaving, and completes testing needed on arrival

• Assists anesthesiologist with peripheral nerve blocks

• Receives patients in PACU from the OR and monitors patient vital signs, respiratory status, cardiac status, circulation, and surgical site assessment throughout Phase 1 and Phase 2 of recovery

• Ensures prescribed medications are administered and documented appropriately

• Follow and acknowledge all physician orders

• Prepare and review discharge instructions with patient and family

• Complete necessary post- operative calls with the ability to provide support and communication to physician or anesthesia regarding any concerns

• Provide clear and accurate documentation throughout Pre-Op and PACU

• Ability to maintain narcotic count at beginning and end of the day. Report immediately any discrepancy

• Prepares for next day’s surgeries and address any issues

• Assists in managing inventory and restocking supplies

• Assist in keeping clean and safe environment throughout Pre-Op and post op area

• Maintaining yearly required programs including but not limited to:

o Infection Control/OSHA

o Fire Safety

o All codes

o Locate MSDS

Competencies:

• Service: We align our actions and decision making with the organization’s guiding platform keeping our patients at the center of all we do.

• Change Agent: We support and contribute to positive change in the organization.

• Communication and Interpersonal Relations: We communicate honestly and with compassion to build connections with our patients and each other.

• Effectiveness: We take ownership of work, doing the right thing for our customer and doing it well.

Organizational Culture:

All OrthoIllinois employees focus on service by putting the mission, vision, and value statements into practice and using the guiding principles of Compassion, Respect, Trust, Integrity, Innovation, Education Fiscal Responsibility, Practice Independence, Accountability, and Empowerment to direct their interactions and decision making. Employees promote and model the service standards to create lasting impressions, extraordinary moments, exceptional on-stage experiences, and meaningful and compassionate connections.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent in Nursing from a two-year college or technical school

• A minimum of four years of nursing experience

• Previous PACU or other critical care experience preferred

• Current and unrestricted RN license for the state you will be practicing in (IL or WI)

• PALS, ACLS, BLS licenses required

Environmental/Working Conditions:

Working environment is an ambulatory surgery center. Frequent work hours outside of normal business hours, including evenings and occasional weekends.

Physical/Mental Demands:

• Stand and walk for extended periods of time

• Requires lifting, carrying, or moving heavier objects (i.e. pushing or pulling up to 100 pounds and lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds. Possess full range of motion in shoulders and arms, including reaching above or below the shoulder.

• Finger dexterity for typing on a keyboard and using a mouse for extended periods of time; ability to twist hands or wrists repetitively

• Good balance

• Vision (e.g., depth perception, color vision, strong vision up close); hearing (e.g., high pitch sounds, soft or distant sounds)

This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements.

Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions may change as needs evolve.