Pre Op / PACU Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU , Per Diem

About the role

Utilizes the nursing process in caring for all patients, including assessing symptoms, planning interventions, implementing treatment plans, evaluating responses to interventions, and revising the plan based on overall effectiveness. Provides age-appropriate care to the population served and adheres to established practice standards and procedures at New London Hospital.

Responsibilities

General Duties

• Makes knowledgeable decisions considering the facts and the disease/surgical condition.
• Provides education to patients and caregivers based on assessment of learning needs.
• Creates and monitors a safe patient environment free from hazards.
• Performs all aspects of patient care to optimize safety and reduce the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.
• Performs duties to meet department needs in preparing patients for surgical services.

Pre-Operative Duties

• Manages patient's admission process to NLH surgical services.
• Collaborates with anesthesia/surgeon to provide comprehensive admission care.
• Assesses and documents the status of patients' health per current ASPAN guidelines and hospital standards.
• Identifies and reports patient abnormalities to anesthesia/surgeon.
• Ensures accuracy of patient, procedure, and surgeon prior to surgical procedure.
• Works with all appropriate team members to provide comprehensive care.
• Executes pre-procedure orders and documents interventions.
• Assists anesthesia providers with pre-procedure interventions and documents per current ASPAN guidelines and hospital standards.
• Oversees the work of the department's LNA.
• Collaborates with team members to ensure chart completeness prior to patients' surgical procedure.

Post-Procedure Duties

• Demonstrates competence in phase 1 and phase 2 care of all post-anesthesia needs of patients.
• Assesses and documents patient condition per current ASPAN standards and hospital guidelines.
• Identifies physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate action in a timely manner.
• Reassesses and documents patients' response to interventions per current ASPAN standards and hospital guidelines.
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications and IV fluids and their correct administration based on age and clinical condition.
• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring, identifies dysrhythmias, collaborates with appropriate team members, and intervenes as needed.
• Performs interventions in cases of post-procedure emergencies.
• Assesses and documents patient status post-radiology procedure, executes physician orders, and provides post-procedure instructions in conjunction with radiology staff.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• 2 years of relevant clinical practice (preferred critical care experience or PACU experience).

Qualifications

• Licensed RN with NH eligibility.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.