PRN PACU RN

Phoebe Putney Health System; Americus (GA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoebe Putney Health System in Americus, GA seeks an experienced PACU RN to provide professional post-anesthesia care, monitor vitals, manage airway and collaborate with anesthesia and surgical teams.

The role requires adapting to changing patient conditions, documenting care accurately, ensuring discharge criteria are met, maintaining patient confidentiality, and contributing to nursing standards.

Qualifications

• RN licensure in Georgia (or eligible)
• BLS required
• ACLS preferred within 1 year of hire

Responsibilities

• Adapt to changing work environment and priorities.
• Assess patients and develop care plans.
• Monitor vitals and oxygenation; manage airway as needed.
• Coordinate with anesthesia and surgical teams for patient care.
• Document patient status, treatments, and discharge criteria.
• Ensure patient confidentiality and accurate charting.

Skills

BLS certification

ACLS within 1 year

Education

Associate degree in Nursing

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Job Summary

Provide professional nursing care for assigned patients according to established standards and practices. Follow practices established by Perianesthesia Nursing Standards. Duties including assessment of patients, identifying the situation, developing a plan of care, and implementing the plan of care. Position requires a high quality of care in order to meet the Hospital's core mission.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Nursing from a state-accredited school required
• Bachelor's Degree preferred

Work Experience

• 1 year PACU, ER, or intensive Care nursing preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) with current Georgia license, Basic Life Support (BLS)required
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) obtained within one year of hire
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) preferred

Essential Functions

ADAPTABILITY

• Adapts to changes in the work environment.
• Manages competing demands.
• Changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
• Accepts criticism and feedback.
• Responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Commits to doing the best job possible.

NURSING CARE PLAN

• Demonstrates a competency in delivery of patient plan of care: provides, implements, directs, and coordinates nursing care in a competent manner
• Provides individualized nursing care
• Receives anesthetized patients from the OR, X-Ray, or OBOR.
• Checks the patient for patent airway and applies supplemental oxygen and appropriate monitors.
• Identifies patients, receives verbal report from anesthesia personnel, and/or the nurse, of the patient's status and the intra-operative care given during the procedure.
• Checks dressings and operative sites, urinary output, and IV status.
• If endotracheal tube is in place, follows Anesthesia MD/CRNA orders for extubation.
• Establishes and organizes priorities to meet the patient's condition
• Demonstrates ability to maintain adequate respiratory function.
• Administers oxygen to patient per face shield or nasal cannula.
• em demonstrates ability to position patients in a way that optimizes maximum safety, comfort, and maintenance of patent airway.
• Observes depth , rate, and quality of respirations.
• Encourages patients to deep breathe and cough.
• Demonstrates ability to suction as indicated, using proper and appropriate techniques.
• Demonstrates ability to maintain adequate circulation.
• Checks and records vital signs every (5) five minutes times (3) three, then every (15) fifteen minutes until discharge.
• Demonstrates knowledge of monitoring and recording cardiac rhythm.
• Demonstrates ability to check and record circulation, sensation, and mobility of surgical limb(s).
• Notifies physician and anesthesia personnel of any abnormal changes in the patient's condition.
• Demonstrates ability to discharge patients from PACU to the appropriate area.
• Patient must meet all written discharge criteria.
• Patient may be transported by bed, stretcher, or wheelchair.
• Notifies the receiving nursing unit before transporting patients.
• The PACU nurse gives receiving nurse a verbal report of the patient's status, intra-operative, and individual post-anesthesia nursing care.
• When the patient is discharged home, the PACU nurse gives verbal instructions with a written copy to the patient and/or significant other with verbal understanding demonstrated of the instructions noted in the chart.
• Demonstrates ability to provide for confidentiality of information and records.
• Demonstrates ability to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing care given.
• Documents accurately and legibly, and includes date, time, and signature. Clearly states patient's progress/response/status at discharge.
• Follows proper procedure for admitting an outpatient to observation or in-patient status

ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS

• Collects data in a systematic and ongoing process
• Issues are identified and diagnoses are developed based on assessment data.
• Prioritizes data collection based on the patient's condition and needs.
• Identifies expected outcomes and plan based on diagnoses or issues.

STANDARDS OF NURSING PRACTICE

• Provide professional standards in practicing nursing.
• Collects comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health or the situation.
• Analyzes the assessment data to determine the diagnosis or issues.
• Identifies the expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient and the situation.
• Develops a plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives for expected outcomes.
• Implements the identified plan.
• Evaluates the progress toward attainment of outcomes.

DOCUMENTATION

• Documents and submits required information and data in a timely fashion.
• Clearly and accurately documents designated processes, policies, products, service offerings, etc.
• Ensures that documentation is tailored to expected readers / users.
• Uses correct terminology.
• Conforms to required style and format.

OUTCOMES AND EVALUATIONS

• Develops expected outcomes that provide direction for continuity of care.
• Involves patient/family and other disciplines to determine expected outcomes.
• Modifies expected outcomes based on changes in the assessment of the patient.
• Includes the patient and others involved in the care in the evaluation process.
• Evaluates the plan in relation to patient responses and expected outcomes.
• Documents the results of the evaluation.

RN - NURSING ANA CODE OF ETHICS

• Accountable for individual practice and delegation to provide optimum care.
• Practices with compassion and respect.
• Primary commitment is to advocate for the patient, family and community.
• Assures patient safety through competency and growth of self and others.
• Contributes to a healthy work environment through shared decision making.
• Collaborates with other health professionals to meet healthcare need.

POST-OP RESPONSIBILITIES

• The post op nurse is responsible for assessment of the surgical patients postoperatively. Full assessment of the patients condtion, monitoring the surgical site, pain, and post op anesthesia status. The post op nurse will monitor patients and ensure proper documentation, medications and treatments as indicated.
• Monitor post op response to anesthesia.
• Monitor post op pain and surgical site.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, medications and treatments as indicated.
• Identify changes in status and act appropriately.
• Organize and anticipate patient throughout post op period. Accompany patient to room after recovery period.

Additional Duties

• Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines.
• Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission and vision of the organization.
• Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self education, attends ongoing educational programs).
• Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time.
• Demonstrates competency at all levels in providing care to all patients based on age, sex, weight, and demonstrated needs.
• For non-clinical areas, has attended training and demonstrates usage of age- specific customer service skills.
• Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate.