STAFF REGISTERED NURSE - Ambulatory Care Unit/ Post Acute Care Unit

Full-time position with a .8 FTE (4 days per week) in the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Schedule includes rotating weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts with variable start times.

About the role

The Perioperative Ambulatory RN provides skilled, patient-centered care during the preoperative and postoperative periods, with cross-training to support patient care across multiple areas including the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC), and Endoscopy.

Responsibilities

• Assess the health status of individuals and groups, including patients' physical and psychological readiness for surgery.
• Collect patient history, vital signs, and other relevant data.
• Prepare patients for surgery, including education on the procedure, medications, and post-operative care.
• Establish nursing diagnoses and goals to meet identified health care needs.
• Plan and implement nursing interventions in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
• Evaluate patient responses to interventions and adjust care plans accordingly.
• Delegate and supervise interventions performed by others as appropriate.
• Educate patients, families, and colleagues.
• Maintain a safe environment for effective nursing care.
• Ensure all necessary paperwork and consent forms are completed.

This role requires flexibility, critical thinking, and collaborative practice in a multidisciplinary team setting. Call coverage is required.

Department Scope of Service

Perioperative Services at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital encompasses care from infancy (10 months) through end-of-life, providing comprehensive surgical and procedural services across the following areas:

• Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC)
• Operating Room (OR)
• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)
• Endoscopy
• Minor Procedures
• Sterile Processing Department (SPD)

Staffing

The department is staffed by:

• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Surgical Technologists
• Scheduler/Assistant Staffing Coordinator
• Sterile Processing Technicians
• Operating Room Assistants
• Unit Secretary/LNAs
• Perioperative Workflow Coordinator
• Perioperative Supervisor
• Director of Perioperative Services

Operating Room (OR)

• Operates 24/7 with elective surgery hours from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
• Procedures are conducted in three surgical suites by credentialed surgeons.
• Cesarean sections are performed in the Birthing Center OR.
• Scheduling and block times are coordinated by the Surgical Governance Council.
• Coordination involves physician offices, the OR, Anesthesia, and SPD.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

• Provides immediate postoperative care.
• Preoperative nerve block placement.
• Monitoring prior to admission, transfer, or discharge.
• Intensive observation post-surgery or procedure.

Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)

• Delivers pre- and postoperative assessment, care, and education.
• Preoperative nerve block placement.
• Discharge planning and education.

Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC)

Staffed by RNs, a Workflow Coordinator, and a Unit Secretary, the PAC supports:

• Pre-surgical patient interviews and assessments.
• Review of preoperative consults and test results.
• Compliance with anesthesia guidelines to ensure surgical patient readiness.

Sterile Processing Department (SPD)

• Responsible for decontaminating and sterilizing instruments for the OR and physician practices.
• Ensures all equipment meets hospital policy and safety standards.

Requirements

• Graduate of an RN accredited nursing program; BSN preferred.
• 3-5 years recent outpatient clinical nursing experience preferred.
• Acute care experience preferred.
• Active State of Vermont RN license.
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification.

OSHA Category I - Tasks involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, requiring use of Universal Precautions as evidenced by bloodborne pathogens standards.

Physical Demands

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities:

• Standing - Up to 1/3
• Walking - Up to 1/3
• Sitting - 2/3 or more
• Talking or Hearing - 2/3 or more
• Use of hands to finger, handle, or feel - Up to 1/3
• Pushing/Pulling - Up to 1/4
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling - Up to 1/4
• Reaching with hands and arms - Up to 1/3
• Tasting or smelling - None

This position requires lifting or exerting force:

• Up to 10 pounds - 2/3 or more
• Up to 35 pounds - 1/3 to 1/2
• Up to 50 pounds - None
• Up to 100 pounds - None
• More than 100 pounds - None

Special vision requirements:

• Close Vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Ability to Adjust Focus (ability to adjust eye to bring an object into sharp focus)

Work Environment

This position requires exposure to the following environmental conditions:

• Work near moving mechanical parts - Up to 1/3
• Fumes or airborne particles - Up to 1/3
• Toxic or caustic chemicals - Up to 1/3
• Risk of electrical shock - None
• Vibration - None

The typical noise level for the environment is moderate.

Hearing requirements:

• Ability to hear calls
• Ability to hear instructions from physician/department staff/others

Pay

$39.15-$68.16 per hour, based on factors such as relevant experience, education, internal equity, and market competitiveness.