RN - PACU - PRN (NO weekends & NO Holidays/Minimum One-8Hr Shift) - AVALA Hospital - RH442

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Able to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patient populations and reassessments per facility policy. Provides care appropriate to disease condition and age of the patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge of perioperative factors that alter immediate postoperative phase.
• Identifies physical symptoms and changes and takes appropriate action in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge of airway management and procedures and the ability to use the equipment.
• Demonstrates ability to assess cardio-respiratory systems for changes and provides appropriate treatment.
• Observes behavioral and physiologic changes due to medications, takes appropriate actions and documents.
• Able to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Carrries out medical/surgical asepsis during treatments and special procedures.
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of patient and clinical condition. Follows the five medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Carries out safety measures to prevent patient from harming him/herself or others.
• Assesses level of consciousness and promotes activity. Encourages turn, cough, and deep breathe by exercises and position changes.
• Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions and side effects.
• Demonstrates knowledge of arterial lines, spinal and epidural catheters and documents pertinent clinical information per policy. Has knowledge of emergency medications.
• Demonstrates knowledge of peripheral nerve block procedures and catheters; able to document pertinent clinical information per policy.
• Able to formulate an individualized plan of care. Able to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate overall plan for effectiveness. Formulates a teaching plan with patient and family based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning. Interacts professionally with patient/family.
• Responds appropriately to patient in an emergency or per ACLS or PALS protocol.
• Communicates effectively and thoroughly the patient’s condition upon transfer from PACU to the receiving unit Registered Nurse.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co-workers and health care team members for the patient’s benefit. Consults other departments as appropriate to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
• Orients new staff as needed.
• Maintains regulatory agency requirements, hospital and nursing policies, procedures and standards.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychological, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Functions as a liaison between patients, their families and other departments and other healthcare providers.

Charge Nurse Responsibilities

• Makes daily patient assignments, monitors the daily surgery schedule and daily unit progress, reports changes to involved departments.
• Supports/oversees unit staff and monitors staffing efficiency. Monitors late and on call schedule. Staffs unit according to nursing standards. Supervises staff to ensure quality of nursing care, delegates’ specific duties and tasks. Monitors daily time sheets.
• Provides and controls supplies and equipment needed for successful operation of the department. Directs and delegates control of inventories to ensure proper amounts available.
• Supervises care and cleanliness of equipment and supplies to ensure good working conditions.
• Effectively communicates pertinent issues to OR Director.
• Provides orientation to new staff members. Assists in the evaluation process.
• Promotes the hospital’s mission, values, and goals.
• Utilizes initiative, strives to maintain a steady level of productivity, completes assigned projects by due date.
• Knowledgeable of lab procedures and lab equipment.
• Participates in QA/PI activities, communicates results to staff.
• Completes other duties as assigned by Director.

Core Competencies

• Action Orientation
• Communications
• Creativity/Innovation
• Critical Judgment
• Customer Orientation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership
• Teamwork

Professional Requirements

• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Attends annual review and department in-services, as scheduled.
• Attends monthly staff meetings or reads staff meeting minutes.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Assists other staff members in performing any duty that enhances the delivery of patient care.

Regulatory Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Current state Registered Nurse licensure in the state of Louisiana
• Current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification