PACU PCA

Performs nonprofessional direct and indirect care activities under the supervision of a professional Registered Nurse. Assists in the provision of high quality, cost-effective care by performing delegated tasks.

Responsibilities

• Performs preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative support activities to assist the nursing team caring for surgical/procedural patients, including total care within scope of practice (stable patient’s vital signs, activities of daily living, promotion of comfort) and performance of point-of-care tests.
• Reports changes in patient’s condition to a Registered Nurse.
• Assists personnel in obtaining supplies, instruments, and equipment for surgical/procedural cases.
• Utilizes appropriate aseptic technique to open sterile supplies for patient use or for sterile field; performs shave preps; and holds extremities during surgical or procedural preps.
• Cleans and prepares work area for next patient and shift.
• Transports patients to and from various areas and cleans transport devices.
• Assists with patient transfers and positioning.
• Retrieves and cleans patient care equipment; runs errands as directed in a timely manner.
• Reviews stocking lists, preference cards, and supply carts to ensure supplies, instruments, and equipment are available for patient care.
• Assists in the maintenance of an effective inventory control system, including daily stocking, checking for outdates, and monitoring supply levels.
• Places or returns supplies, instrumentation, and equipment to designated storage locations.
• Maintains a clean, sanitary, and safe work environment in procedural areas and Sterile Processing Department (SPD) by:
  • Monitoring halls to keep them free of extra equipment.
  • Organizing and cleaning work areas, storerooms, patient bays, computers, and monitors.
  • Performing post-case/post-care cleaning following established policies.
  • Performing terminal and isolation cleaning if necessary.
  • Cleaning and stocking scrub sinks and housekeeping carts.
  • Weekly cleaning of warmers with logged documentation.
  • Cleaning autoclaves as assigned.
• Processes instruments and scopes as needed; prepares cleaning solutions for decontamination.
• Operates processing and cleaning equipment (e.g., washer/sterilizer, immediate use sterilizer) following established policies.
• Documents completion of cleaning tasks in designated log books.
• Wraps instruments and supplies for sterilization, labeling appropriately.
• May prepare and process OR linen and sterile packs.
• Documents patient data such as weight, temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, intakes/outputs, and abdominal girths as directed by nursing staff.
• Transports specimens and records delivery to lab or in designated log books; adds fixative to specimens when needed.
• Provides respiratory support by setting up oxygen administration equipment, including changing tank regulators and checking tank volumes.
• Follows all departmental policies and procedures, reporting equipment or room repairs in a timely manner.
• Tags equipment and submits Biomed tickets for repair.
• Assists in routine unit operations to ensure smooth communication and functioning.
• Relays accurate telephone, visitor, patient, and healthcare provider messages to appropriate persons.
• Transports linens, trash, and biohazardous materials according to established policies, wearing PPE and ensuring correct signage.
• Assists with room or bay set-up; may monitor sterile field set-up when directed by a registered nurse.
• Performs tasks such as answering telephones and minor clerical duties in designated areas.
• Transports non-narcotic medications when directed by a registered nurse; may transport patients with PCA/Epidural pumps.
• Cleans autoclaves in Sterile Processing and Operating Room/Procedural Areas.
• Cleans and organizes Sterile Processing areas as assigned.
• Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of equipment and supplies in designated areas.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Successful completion of departmental clinical support or PCA orientation.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support or HeartSaver First Aid within 30 days of hire date.

Qualifications

Preferred:

• Prior patient care experience.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Medical Assistant (MA) experience.

Skills

• Understands and practices excellent personal hygiene.
• Ability to operate computer programs with training.
• Proficient in reading and writing English; ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Demonstrates team-building communication and work efforts to assist healthcare providers.
• Demonstrates skills needed to utilize Safe Patient Handling equipment.
• Ability to discern and distinguish colors for point-of-care testing and inventory monitoring.
• Visual and hearing acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.
• Ability to utilize personal protective equipment (PPE).

Physical Requirements

• Physically capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• No known history of malignant hyperthermia (may not be waived).
• Capable of lifting up to 60 pounds and pushing heavy loaded carts weighing more than 200 pounds.
• Able to transport patients on stretchers, in wheelchairs, or in cribs.

Working Environment

• Work is completed in a direct patient care environment.
• Work area supports activities of multiple providers performing parallel processing.
• Must be able to work in a high-stress environment.
• Exposed to communicable diseases, body fluids, and chemicals.

Schedule

20 scheduled weekly hours; varied shifts.