Registered Nurse (RN) - ASC Post Anesthesia Care Unit

About the role

PACU RNs provide care and support to patients before, during, and after surgery. They may also provide care in the Pre-Admission Testing and Day Surgery settings.

Responsibilities

• Verifies patient identity (using 2 identifiers), planned surgical procedure, and review of expectations with patient and family/others present.
• Reviews patient pre-admission assessment and history inclusive of medications, physical and sensory limitations, screening of sleep disorders, and presence of external or implantable medical devices, laboratory and radiology findings.
• Completes day of surgery testing such as pregnancy testing, EKG, or radiology studies.
• Care and support post-operatively, performing assessment of vital signs, oxygen saturation, capnography, and pain level.
• Assesses for symptoms of post-operative/post-anesthesia nausea and vomiting and treats per patient specific orders.
• Makes sure surgical site(s) are monitored for excessive bleeding, discharge, swelling, hematoma, redness, or any other signs and symptoms of complications and reports relevant changes to surgeon or anesthesia provider.
• Affirms safety of discharge to the next level of care based on patient assessment according to discharge criteria.
• Ensures availability of adaptive equipment if needed, responsible escort home, and safe home care plan. Reviews discharge instructions and follow up with responsible family/others present.
• Communicates with colleagues professionally, with commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace culture and a safe learning environment.
• Complies with policies, procedures, and area-specific expectations related to maintaining a safe environment of care. Initiates reporting or action when needed to address safety concerns.
• Complies with policies, procedures and area-specific expectations related to medication safety. Complies with policies, procedures and area-specific expectations related to patient identification and specimen labeling activities documentation of patient information and patient care activities.
• Dependable, attends to schedule, and participates in staff meetings, required learning, attestation, competency, and training activities according to area-specific and organizational expectations.
• Independently monitors email and other communications as necessary to meet these expectations.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Requirements

• Graduate from an accredited Nursing Program required.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred with at least 1 year of experience in an ASC. Associate Degree (ADN) prepared nurses with 2 years' experience.
• Prior ASC or PACU experience a must.
• Licensed Registered Nurse with New Hampshire eligibility.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate required. Advanced Life Support (ACLS) within 6 months of hire date. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 6 months of hire date.
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Certification preferred.