PACU Registered Nurse

Surgery Partners Careers•Altoona, WI

About The Position

The PACU Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing critical, high-quality care to patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical or procedural interventions. Working a fast-paced environment, the PACU RN performs continuous monitoring, manages pain and post-anesthesia symptoms, and responds to urgent clinical needs during the immediate post-operative period.

Requirements

Demonstrates eligibility for employment in the U.S.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program required
Current licensure in the State of Wisconsin
BLS certification is required upon hire
Must be able to achieve ACLS and PALS certification within six months of hire
Must possess a cell phone that interfaces with the organization’s secure messaging system
Medical Terminology
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems
Quality assurance and accreditation standards
Understanding of HIPAA regulations, patient confidentiality laws and patient rights
Effective English communication in verbal and written format
Quality work including attention to detail and accuracy
Carry out customer service standards
Basic computer proficiency
Carry out organization customer service standards
Prioritize tasks effectively through managing workload based on urgency and importance
Capacity to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Continuously learn and improve through staying up to date on job specific trends, policies, and new technologies
Successfully demonstrate organization-wide performance review competencies

Nice To Haves

Previous PACU, CCU, or ER nursing experience is preferred

Responsibilities

Advocate for patients’ rights, preferences, and needs, ensuring that they receive high-quality, compassionate care that is tailored to their individual circumstances
Project a professional demeanor and appearance while maintaining the confidentiality of the patient, coworkers, and the organization, as appropriate
Assess patient health problems and needs to develop, implement, and evaluate care in collaboration with healthcare team
Educate patients and their families on health conditions, medications, treatment care, and post surgical care
Ensure infection control protocols and safety standards are followed in all aspects of patient care
Promptly record all care information concisely, accurately, and completely
Respond to emergency situations using appropriate interventions
Promptly report and document any occurrences of unusual events, safety concerns, or incidents in accordance with organization policies and procedures
Participate in the department’s on-call rotation and respond promptly to call-ins to ensure continuous patient care and surgical support as needed
Continuously assess vital signs, airway, consciousness, pain level, and surgical site for stability following anesthesia
Manage airway, administer oxygen, suction as needed, and respond rapidly to changes in condition, including respiratory or cardiac complications
Administer prescribed medications and interventions to manage pain, nausea, and other post-operative symptoms; monitor effectiveness
Recognize and act upon early signs of post-operative complications or adverse reactions and report to anesthesia and provider promptly
Accurately record assessments, interventions, medications administered, and patient responses in the medical record in a timely manner
Provide post-op instructions and emotional support; ensure patients and caregivers understand recovery expectations prior to transfer or discharge
Collaborate with anesthesia, surgical teams, and inpatient unit to ensure safe and efficient patient handoffs and transitions of care
Safety transfer patients to appropriate unit or discharge them per protocol once discharge criteria are met
Provides for accurate care and handling of specimens
Observes, checks, and monitors all equipment used during surgery to confirm it is functioning properly, removes any malfunctioning equipment from service, and reports it in the appropriate manner
Review postoperative instructions, prescriptions, and post-op instructions from the provider with patient and family
Assists in positioning and responding to the comfort and safety of the patient
May be cross-trained and assigned to other nursing departments within the hospital, with responsibility for carrying out the essential functions of the assigned role
Use the organization's secure messaging platform in accordance with departmental protocols, including timely receipt and responses to communications
Perform other duties as assigned