Overview
The POHA/PACU RN focuses on validation of existing information and completion of preparation of the patient for their surgical experience. The professional registered nurse assesses the patient and develops a plan of care designed to meet the physical, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual needs of the patient/family/significant other. This individual also assesses the patient post procedure and determines if discharge criteria is met. The RN must possess excellent computer and organizational skills and interprets laboratory and diagnostic testing independently. The RN demonstrates excellent customer service performance in that his/her attitude and actions are at all times consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation. The RN nurse performs other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities
- Knowledge of nursing processes and experience in a health care environment.
- Proficient in Windows environment.
- Performs assessments and synthesizes data collected by self and others in an ongoing and systematic manner, focusing on the patient’s physiologic, psychological, and cognitive status.
- Delegates, supervises and implements care in a knowledgeable, consistent and continuous manner by utilization of and adherence to standards that define the process.
- Administers medications as outlined by hospital policy.
- Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to patients as identified within the organization.
- Functions with an awareness and application of safety as identified within the organization.
- Demonstrates awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and unit function, striving to manage situations in a reduced‑risk manner.
- Demonstrates basic life support, basic airway support and basic oral/nasal suctioning.
- Administers and evaluates pharmacological and other therapeutic treatment regimens.
- Responds to emergency situations to promote optimal patient outcomes by recognizing changes in the patient’s health status.
- Documents patient data to ensure continuity in the provision and coordination of patient care.
- Effectively communicates patient care needs, expectations and priorities with team members.
- Acts as resource/educator for team members.
- Collaborates effectively with all health care disciplines to facilitate patient outcomes.
- Documents on all hospital and department records as required.
- Serves as mentor for other nurses.
- Performs departmental projects as required.
- Attends and participates in unit meetings.
- Adheres to unit/department policies, procedures, and unit structure standards.
- Functions as a responsible team member.
- Maintains confidentiality in relation to patients, families, and the organization.
- Appropriately represents Covenant HealthCare by promoting a positive image to the departments, medical staff, leadership and outside constituents.
- Remains flexible in staffing patterns and resolution of staffing conflicts; participates in temporary assignment measures within the organization.
- Promptly reports actual and potential medication errors and adverse drug events.
- Maintains professional standards by actively participating in continuing education activities, patient outcome activities, and in‑services related to area of practice and age(s) of patient population.
- Demonstrates excellent customer service in attitude and actions at all times consistent with the Code of Conduct.
- Contributes to organization success targets for patient satisfaction and net operating margin.
- Demonstrates commitment to the quality philosophy and values of Covenant by maintaining established policies and procedures; organizational objectives; continuous quality improvement; quality assessment and safety standards.
- Ensures all duties are performed in a courteous manner.
Qualifications
- Nursing Degree (ADN, Diploma, BSN) from an accredited school of nursing.
- License to practice professional nursing (RN) in the State of Michigan.
- BLS required.
- ACLS required within three (3) months of hire.
- NIHSS required within three (3) months of hire.
- PALS required within six (6) months of hire.
- Minimum of 1 year RN experience in a critical care area (e.g., PACU, OR, ICU/CCU, ER); within 5 years required.
- Recent experience with surgical patients preferred.
- CPAN certification preferred.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
- Demonstrates appropriate care for the following age groups: Infant (30 days – 1 year), Pediatric (1–2), Adolescent (13–18 years), Adult (19–64 years), and Geriatric (65+ years).
- Monitor interpretation.
- Strong pharmacology background.
- Strong physiology background.
- Basic life‑sustaining needs of the patient.
- Ability to communicate positively with patients.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Demonstrates basic clinical skills.
- Demonstrates an awareness of and assumes self‑responsibility for working within the scope of the Registered Nurse role.
- Demonstrates ability to remain calm during high volume and crisis situations.
- Demonstrates the ability to problem‑solve and prioritize unit needs independently, efficiently, and effectively.
Working Conditions / Physical Demands
- Ability to maintain punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
- Frequent lifting up to 25 lbs.
- Frequent standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, talking.
- Frequent hearing, near vision, mid‑range vision.
- Frequent visual accommodation.
- Occasional lifting up to 100 or more lbs.
- Occasional sitting, pulling, stooping, crouching, squatting.
- Occasional twisting, reaching, handling, feeling, far vision.
- Occasional depth perception, color vision, field of vision.