Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Department: Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Schedule

Full-time, 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM, bi-weekly scheduled hours: 72. On-call and weekend shifts required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with physicians to develop and implement patient care plans aimed at returning patients to optimal health.
• Provides bedside nursing care and carries out medical orders.
• Delegates tasks and oversees the work of Nurse Assistants, Patient Care Associates, OB Care Associates, Surgical Service Assistants, Nursing Clerks, and Psychiatric Techs.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of care plans and adjusts as needed.
• Assumes a leadership role, including:
  • Integrating evidence-based knowledge into practice.
  • Delegating and coordinating nursing care tasks and assignments.
  • Facilitating and participating in patient conferences.
  • Identifying and addressing patients’ ongoing and discharge/transfer teaching needs by collaborating with appropriate resource personnel and attending planning conferences.
• Promotes professional growth by seeking educational opportunities and utilizing hospital or community programs.
• Teaches, guides, and mentors professional and ancillary personnel, including precepting new employees and students.
• Functions as a team leader to ensure proper patient placement and delegation of assignments.
• In the PACU, serves as team lead as assigned, managing efficient time use for peers and self, ensuring cost-effective use of department resources, and ordering supplies (may be delegated).
• Performs various assessment techniques, including cardiac rhythms and airway management, to identify potential or actual problems related to anesthesia and surgical procedures.
• Consults anesthesiologists or physicians when appropriate using assertive communication skills.
• Utilizes and troubleshoots specialty equipment (e.g., blood glucose monitors, IV pumps, bladder scanners, ARJO lifts/slides, EKG machines) independently and safely.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current license to practice nursing in the state of Michigan.
• BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association or Red Cross.
• Must satisfactorily complete the first available Basic Dysrhythmia course.
• Must satisfactorily complete ACLS course within one year of hire/transfer (applies to PPH/PACU/PMCS/Endo Minor Procedures).
• Six (6) months of experience in an acute care setting or equivalent.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Previous experience in a Surgical Services area.
• Proficient in IV starts.
• PALS certification (for PACU).