RN PreOp PACU FT

Essential Functions

Affords nursing care to patients in a preoperative/post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) setting. Assumes full responsibility for patient care in accordance with physician's orders and center policies. Monitors and controls the use and charging of supplies utilized in the center.

• Maintains patient and employee privacy and confidential information
• Administers medications and treatments ordered by physicians
• Care and discharge post-operative patients according to facility policies
• Accurately assesses need for pain and/or nausea medication
• Documents all symptoms, reactions, abnormalities, and changes in the physical and/or mental conditions of post-operative patients
• Provides psychological support to patients and/or families
• Maintains rapport with physicians and other departments providing care for the patients
• Performs routine charging of medications and supplies
• Accurately checks charge sheets for supplies used on patients
• Functions independently in emergency situations
• Makes logical quick decisions based on sound judgment
• Maintains competence through continuing education
• Maintains supplies and cleanliness in the work environment

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Able to accurately assess need for pain and/or nausea medication
• An order always precedes the administration of medication
• Intended actions and side effects are known
• Medications are documented
• Provides psychological support to patients and/or families
• Maintains rapport with physicians and other departments providing care for the patients
• Performs routine charging of medications and supplies
• Accurately checks charge sheets for supplies used on patients
• Functions independently in emergency situations
• Makes logical quick decisions based on sound judgment
• Maintains competence through continuing education
• Maintains supplies and cleanliness in the work environment

Physical Demands

• Standing: 66-100%
• Sitting: 0-33%
• Walking: 66-100%
• Lifting: 0-50lbs. as needed
• Carrying: 0-25lbs. as needed
• Pushing: 0-400lbs. on wheels with assistance as needed
• Climbing: 1-5 flights of stairs as necessary
• Pulling: As necessary while providing patient care
• Bending: Proper bending necessary to pick things off the floor
• Squatting: As necessary while providing care
• Rotating: Shoulders as necessary
• Kneeling: If necessary while providing patient care
• Reaching: Overhead while providing patient care

Environmental Conditions

• Inside: 95-100%
• Outside: 0-5%
• Temperature: 30F-115F
• Fumes: Occasional
• Dust: Occasional
• Gases: None
• Odors: Occasional
• Mist: Occasional
• Radiation: Occasional
• Noise or Vibrations: Biomedical equipment, needles, sharps, copy machine, phones, latex, disinfectants, etc.
• Hazards: Occasional contact with communicable disease, electrical equipment, etc.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Provided (gowns, gloves, masks, head cover).