Adult PACU 36hr 11am

About the role

Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Manager (or designee), implements, supervises, and evaluates the nursing care of each patient using a nursing process and in accordance with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Provides intensive nursing care to post‑operative patients when assigned to the post‑anesthesia area. From admission to discharge, plans with consideration of the aging process throughout the life span, including all developmental stages as well as cultural patterns. Brown University Health employees are expected to role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

Location: Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903

Responsibilities

• Renders professional nursing care to peri‑operative patients including review of charts, administration of medications, starting IVs and hanging blood, electrocardiography, venipuncture, catheterization, defibrillation, and other complex or routine treatments as prescribed.
• Initiates or participates in life‑saving procedures, including administering CPR as necessary.
• Participates in planning and implementation of nursing care plans for assigned patients.
• Utilizes professional judgment to evaluate appropriateness of planned or prescribed treatment given patient’s current condition; modifies treatment or contacts physician as circumstances require.
• Reviews patient chart assuring pertinent information (lab reports, operative permits) is readily available and that all pre‑operative medications and orders have been carried out.
• Verifies patient’s identity prior to surgical procedure.
• Performs nursing duties according to procedures of the assigned area.
• As assigned to Preoperative holding unit: performs complete patient assessment in preparation for surgery focusing on physiological and cognitive functions; reviews and evaluates pre‑admission testing results (labs, EKGs, etc.) and reports to appropriate medical providers; conducts interviews and screenings with all patients scheduled for surgical encounter; compiles relevant medical information for effective evaluation and identifies need for further evaluation/intervention; provides patient/family education relevant to the scheduled surgical procedure; assesses physical, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, language barriers, age, teaching needs and readiness to learn and involves the appropriate interdisciplinary team; places peripheral IV, orders pre‑op protocol order set per policy, and administers any needed medications prior to surgery.
• As assigned to post‑anesthesia recovery area: admits post‑operative patient, checks stability of vital signs and notifies anesthesiologist or surgeon as indicated; continually observes patient, monitors vital signs, ventilates and suctions patients, inserts catheters, administers oxygen per physician’s instructions or professional assessment; determines when patient’s condition is stable and releases to designated hospital area; maintains records and charts, reporting pertinent information regarding patient’s condition, medication given, treatments administered, etc.
• Assists in directing, orienting, training, and providing functional guidance to surgical technicians and new nursing personnel as requested.
• Maintains and enhances professional expertise through participation in appropriate educational activities.
• Serves as a role model/preceptor to new graduate nurses and less experienced personnel.
• Works with a high level of autonomy and displays exceptional critical thinking skills to identify and address specific patient needs.
• Assumes charge nurse responsibility for the patient care unit as delegated.

Qualifications

• Licensure as Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing, or licensure as a Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
• Baccalaureate in Nursing preferred.
• Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in Rhode Island or in another state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• BLS/ACLS/PALS certified