Registered Nurse PACU

Illinois Sports Med & Ortho Surgery Ctr•Morton Grove, IL

12d•$34 - $45

About The Position

Provides nursing care to surgical patients, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation during the immediate post-anesthetic period. Delivers PACU/recovery nursing care and maintains the clinical, communication, and personal knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, effective patient care. The role requires professional, respectful, and cooperative interaction with patients, physicians, referral sources, visitors, volunteers, coworkers, supervisors, and vendors, helping foster teamwork and positive service experiences. The nurse uses the nursing process to assess patient needs, organize and update care plans, implement physician orders and facility protocols, document care, and communicate timely information. Responsibilities include admission and discharge support, patient and caregiver education, post-operative follow-up, PACU care and emergency response, medication administration, patient advocacy, surgical-team support, and participation in safety and quality-improvement activities. Care is provided to patients ranging from infants through geriatric adults. The role requires an accredited nursing program graduate, an active Illinois RN license, and BLS and ALS certifications. A BSN, PALS certification, at least one year of experience, ambulatory surgery center experience, and medical terminology knowledge are preferred. Physical demands include standing, walking, sitting, communicating, occasional reaching and handling, and lifting or moving loads up to 50 pounds. The employee may encounter moderate workplace noise and exposure to communicable diseases.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Valid State of Illinois Registered Nurse license.
BLS certification.
ALS certification.
Ability to communicate effectively and present information to patients, families, coworkers, and others.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from patients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
Verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to set priorities.
Superior interpersonal skills.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, and to compute ratios, rates, and percentages.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear; occasionally use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms; frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.
Close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
PALS certification.
At least one year of experience.
Ambulatory surgery center experience.
Knowledge of medical terminology.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate competency in procedures within the nursing scope of practice for infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
Use the nursing process to deliver patient care in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols.
Communicate accurate and timely information about patients and their care, and document pertinent information clearly and promptly.
Build positive interpersonal relationships and use appropriate communication channels.
Assess patient health through interviews, physical assessments, record review, and consultation with the perioperative team; recognize age-appropriate normal and abnormal findings.
Organize and update prioritized, timely plans of care that incorporate physician-prescribed treatments, nursing assignments, diagnostic data, and the surgical plan; gather supplies, X-rays, and equipment for cases.
Complete patient admissions, ongoing chart review, necessary laboratory work, and IVs in a timely manner.
Evaluate progress toward outcomes and discharge criteria, provide discharge instructions, and confirm the patient or significant other can manage ongoing care needs, including through post-operative phone calls.
Educate patients and caregivers on medications, food-drug interactions, medical equipment when applicable, and when and how to obtain further treatment; implement patient education protocols.
Implement post-anesthesia care orders and standing orders for critical care emergencies; administer critical care medications according to policy.
Adjust patient care plans to meet outcomes and document care legibly in accordance with form guidelines and protocols.
Restock supplies and perform appropriate unit cleaning; maintain a clean and safe work environment.
Participate in conferences, committee meetings, educational programs, facility quality-improvement activities, and patient-safety practices.
Demonstrate sound judgment, advocate for patients’ physical and psychological needs, and serve as a preceptor or orient new surgical-team members.
Communicate effectively and recognize and intervene in stressful situations involving patients, significant others, or team members.
Explain procedures and treatments to patients to promote cooperation and understanding and ease apprehension.
Administer prescribed medications and treatments using approved nursing techniques; prepare equipment and assist physicians with patient examinations and treatment.
Monitor patient comfort and safety; observe patients, record significant conditions and reactions, and notify a supervisor or physician of changes, drug or treatment reactions, and significant incidents.
Measure and record vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and blood pressure, to identify deviations from normal.
Respond to life-saving situations according to nursing standards, policies, procedures, and protocols.
Document nursing histories and physical assessments for assigned patients.
Initiate individualized patient education plans as prescribed by a physician or facility policy, including instruction for patients and families.
Prepare rooms, sterile instruments, equipment, and supplies for surgery.
Maintain medication-control logs and documentation, and keep knowledge, certification, and licensure current.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical insurance for benefit-eligible employees working 30 or more hours a week.
Dental insurance for benefit-eligible employees working 30 or more hours a week.
Vision insurance for benefit-eligible employees working 30 or more hours a week.
Life and AD&D insurance for benefit-eligible employees working 30 or more hours a week.
Long- and short-term disability coverage for benefit-eligible employees working 30 or more hours a week.
401(k) program with company match.
Profit sharing.
Wellness program.
Health savings accounts.
Flexible savings accounts.
ID protection plan.
Accident, critical illness, and hospital benefits.
Paid holidays.
Paid time off.