RN - Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

Grant funded, full time position.

About the role

To assess, develop, implement and evaluate the nursing care and treatment for patients in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. To coordinate the operations of the clinical area including patient scheduling, maintaining patient records, and managing the patient admissions process. To counsel patients and family members on treatment and conditions. To act as liaison between case managers, home health nurses, utilization review, and other services. To coordinate patient services and care in accordance with the medical center's purpose. This role may require call subject to the department's discretion.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating treatments and interventions for patients.
• Educates patients (and possibly family members) on topics such as the nature and status of the patient's condition, diet, side effects of medication/treatments, and the importance of complying with medication schedules.
• Ensures the safety of patients.
• Coordinates referrals to other services within and outside of the immediate area or unit.
• Maintains accurate patient records.
• Functions as a preceptor in accordance with UMMC guidelines.
• Reports patient issues or concerns to supervisor as appropriate.
• Serves on at least one nursing council, hospital, or medical center committee, task force, or project team to improve patient care or work area.
• Demonstrates core standards of exceptional customer service.

The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Requirements

• Valid RN license.
• Knowledge of clinical nursing care procedures and protocols.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of computer systems, tools, and programs.
• Ability to work in a team environment.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Occasional exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold.
• Occasional handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment.
• Occasional exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, bloodborne pathogens, fumes, or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations.
• Occasional working hours significantly beyond regularly scheduled hours.
• Occasional activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature.
• Constant work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality.
• Constant bending.
• Frequent lifting and carrying more than 100 pounds.
• Frequent climbing, crawling, crouching/stooping.
• Occasional driving, kneeling, reaching, sitting.
• Constant pushing/pulling, standing, twisting, and walking.

(Occasional: up to 20%, Frequent: from 21% to 50%, Constant: 51% or more)