PACU Recovery Room Registered Nurse

Essential Functions

• Administers nursing care to patients; includes assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating the patient’s care plan in coordination with the physician.
• Provides nursing care guided by physician orders, unit protocols and professional judgment.
• Communicates effectively and appropriately with staff, physicians, patients, families and other healthcare team members.
• Participates in ongoing educational activities related to clinical knowledge and professional issues.
• Contributes to the professional development of peers and colleagues by sharing knowledge and skills.
• Delivers care in a manner that preserves and protects patient autonomy, dignity and rights.
• Considers factors relating to safety, effectiveness and cost in planning/delivering patient care.
• Provides patient/family or caregiver education and counseling in recognition and solution of physical, emotional, and environmental health problems.
• Utilizes hospital information system to process orders/data and retrieve patient information.
• Maintains knowledge of documentation requirements needed for patients’ records.
• Works independently with limited direct supervision using the Nurse Practice Act, Mercy Medical Center policies, nursing standards, and professional judgment.
• Maintains knowledge of equipment set-up, maintenance, and use (i.e., IV pumps, monitoring equipment, and drainage devices).
• Initiates emergency support measures (i.e., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, protecting patient from injury).

Marginal Functions

• Affords assistance with clerical duties (i.e., maintenance of charge, patient record, answering phones and call lights, processing physician orders).
• Maintains patient care supplies, equipment, and environment.
• Provides orientation/education for staff, students, and other hospital and community organizations as requested.
• Supports and participates in departmental Performance Improvement projects.
• Attends departmental and other meetings as assigned.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Possession of a current or compact state license as a Registered Nurse issued/defined by the State of Iowa.
• Basic Life Support certified within six (6) weeks of hire.
• The acceptable credentialing body is the American Heart Association.
• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to populations served within three (3) months of hire.
• Ability to read, write and speak English language.