SURGERY - PREOP/PACU REGISTERED NURSE

About the role

The Pre-Op/Admitting nurse provides nursing care to patients being admitted for surgery, focusing on assessing, identifying, and solving nursing care and pre-operative problems. Responsibilities include starting and monitoring IVs, administering pre-operative medications, performing pre-operative instruction, and explaining patient’s rights and procedures.

The PACU, Phase I nurse provides nursing care to patients returning from surgery, assisting them through the transition from an anesthetized state to an awake condition. Responsibilities include maintaining adequate ventilation, hemostasis, and circulation; assessing level of consciousness; providing pain management; and ensuring patient safety until transfer to another unit.

About Idaho Falls Community Hospital

At Idaho Falls Community Hospital, helping our community get better is our number one priority. We are committed to providing compassionate, emergency care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our state-of-the-art facilities include an Emergency Department, a stroke and diagnostic cardiac center, and a trauma center. Our work environment is collaborative, purpose-driven, and people-centric, fostering a unique culture that makes people excited to come to work each day.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Op/Admitting Duties:
  • Maintain area in a state of readiness, ensuring all necessary equipment is available and functional.
  • Assess physical and emotional needs of patients and implement appropriate nursing interventions.
  • Complete the nursing pre-assessment record, including confirmation of:
    • Allergies
    • Medications taken at home
    • Dentures, contact lenses, and glasses
    • Pertinent medical conditions and past medical history
    • Consent and operative site
    • Responsible party
    • Ordered labs/test results on chart
  • Respect the patient’s right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
  • Assist the patient in undressing if needed and store belongings appropriately.
  • Assess or perform:
    • Vital signs
    • Weight and height
    • Blood glucose monitoring, if applicable
    • Pregnancy test, if applicable
    • Start IVs (except when contraindicated) using anesthesia protocol for fluids and catheter size
    • Pain level assessment
  • Perform pre-operative instruction and explanation of procedures and patient’s rights.
  • Ensure patients are seen by the anesthesia provider prior to being taken to the O.R.
  • Set priorities to facilitate timely and efficient patient flow.
  • Carry out physician/anesthesia orders.
  • Record pertinent patient information in nurse’s notes.
• PACU, Phase I Duties:
  • Maintain the PACU area in a state of readiness, ensuring all necessary equipment is available and functional.
  • Assess patients on admission to PACU for:
    • Patient airway
    • Respirations
    • Vital signs
    • Level of consciousness (Aldrete scale)
    • Level of pain
  • Assess and record vital signs every 5 minutes and Aldrete scale every 15 minutes.
  • Use appropriate devices and techniques to assist patient’s respirations and maintain optimum blood oxygen saturation.
  • Assess surgical site for bleeding, reinforce dressing, and notify physician if increased drainage.
  • Assess and treat post-operative pain effectively.
  • Demonstrate proficient knowledge of drugs used in the PACU.
  • Position patient as ordered by physician.
  • Assess and record intake and output of all fluids.
  • Carry out physician/anesthesiologist orders.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Idaho.
• Current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification.
• Two years of Critical Care or PACU experience preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (vacation, holidays, and sick days) and Medical Paid Time Off
• Retirement Plans (401K with up to 6% match)
• Earned Quarterly Bonus Program
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Discount for medically necessary procedures performed at Idaho Falls Community Hospital and Mountain View Hospital

Note: Benefits are based on eligibility according to full-time, part-time, or PRN status classification.