Registered Nurse Pre-Op/ PACU

Position Overview:

The OR Nurse, under the direction of the Manager of Surgical Services, works primarily in the surgical care center. The role of the pre/post op nurse is to provide care for pre- and post-operative patients recovering from anesthesia. The OR Nurse treats patients according to their needs, monitoring their vital signs and pain level to determine necessary care. (Postoperative nausea is a commonly treated symptom.) Due to the possibility of rapid changes in a patient’s physiological condition, OR Nurses are required to administer diligent care via monitoring, assessment, intervention, and continuous reassessment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assess patients, monitor vital signs, serves as patient advocate, and assures optimal outcomes.
  • Review the patient chart and review H & P’s, allergies, treatment consents
  • Ensure all pre and PACU paperwork is completely correctly and accurately
  • Act as patient advocate throughout preop/PACU stay
  • Maintain standards of professional and responsible care in accordance with state guidelines
  • Explain procedures/treatment/discharge to patient and family members and verify understanding of procedure/discharge.
  • Follow all universal precautions and blood borne pathogen protocols as outlined by Policy.
  • Order and maintain inventory of needed supplies and equipment as needed for patient care.
  • Provide for the emotional/physical comfort and safety of patients and visitors.
  • Respond to urgent situations based upon nursing standards, policies, procedures and protocols.
  • Collaborate with perioperative team, anesthesiologist, and procedure doctor for continuum of patient care and discharge.
  • Adhere to all infection control state and federal guidelines and updates as appropriate

HIPAA

The OR Nurse, Surgical Suite will have access to PHI during the course of his/her work activities. They will use this information to prepare both patients and medical records for visits with the provider and to keep the flow of work going smoothly in the surgical center. Applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated records sets to which this employee will have access include: the full medical record and RESource

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: (examples below)

• Proficiency in verbal communication in English and understanding of basic written English.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal relationship and customer service skills.
• Good organizational and time management skills

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Graduation from accredited school of nursing.
• Current license to practice in the state of Connecticut.
• Experience in pre-op/PACU operating room experience desirable.
• CPR or BCLS and ACLS certified

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: (examples below)

• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for up to 8 hours/day.
• Incumbent will be required to work at any facility and be responsible for own transportation.
• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need. (rotate shifts, standby, on-call)

OR

• Standing: 20%
• Walking: 15%
• Sitting: 60%
• Lifting/Carrying: 5% - up to 50 pounds

Immunization:

Staff member must meet immunizations requirements as stated in RMA-CT immunization policy.

• TB inoculation
• Flu vaccine
• Others as they become required
  • (subject to applicable exemptions)