Registered Nurse- (PACU 23)

Good Shepherd Med Ctr•Hermiston, OR

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse specializing in perioperative practice provides nursing care during the pre-anesthesia, post-anesthesia Phase I, and post-anesthesia Phase II portions of a patient's surgical experience. The role includes monitoring patients undergoing local procedures in the operating room and administering conscious sedation if certified. The recovery RN provides quality pre- and post-procedure care using the nursing process, established standards of care, and hospital policies. The peri-anesthesia nurse advocates for patients and supervises assigned personnel. Regular on-call duties for the Post-Anesthesia Unit are required. The schedule is Monday to Friday, 3:00 PM–11:30 PM. The position is primarily performed in an indoor healthcare environment, with exposure to infectious diseases, hazards, and medical equipment. Staff must follow safety protocols and use personal protective equipment as necessary. Physical requirements include walking and standing for most of the shift, lifting up to 50 pounds independently, and using team assistance or mechanical aids to lift patients over 100 pounds.

Requirements

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing.
Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Oregon.
BLS, PALS, ACLS, and TNCC certifications.
One year of critical care experience or two years of medical-surgical experience.
Ability to hear patient alarms and communicate effectively.
Ability to observe patient conditions, read documents and monitors, and perform fine motor tasks with medical equipment.
Ability to walk and stand for most of the shift and lift up to 50 pounds independently.
Use team assistance or mechanical aids when lifting patients over 100 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Conscious sedation certification.
CAPA/CPAN certification.
Ultrasound Guided IV certification.
CRASE training.
Experience in Day Surgery, PACU, pre-admission services, or ambulatory surgery centers.

Responsibilities

Conduct nursing assessments for patients in the pre- and postoperative phases of care.
Perform patient admissions according to hospital standards.
Initiate and manage intravenous access for patients.
Monitor patients for changes in vital signs and intervene according to medical guidelines.
Use the Aldrete scoring system during the PACU phase.
Ensure patients maintain airways and adequate respiratory function.
Implement interventions to manage patients’ physiological systems and fluid and electrolyte balance.
Communicate consistently with medical staff regarding patient status.
Administer pain medications and evaluate their efficacy.
Treat postoperative nausea using appropriate medications and comfort measures.
Develop individualized peri-anesthesia care plans.
Assist anesthesia with nerve blocks as necessary.
Administer medications according to the 8 rights of safe medication practices.
Maintain surgical-site integrity to promote healing and prevent infection.
Monitor and maintain normothermia throughout patient care.
Educate patients and caregivers about care expectations, medication management, and signs of complications.
Assess patients’ progress toward desired health outcomes.
Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
Transfer patient care as needed and delegate tasks in accordance with state nursing regulations.
Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to foster team relationships.
Commit to professional growth and development.
Safeguard patient privacy and health information.
Involve patients and/or support people in care decisions.
Follow safety protocols, including fall-risk and infection-control measures.
Accurately document relevant information in the electronic medical record.
Maintain required competencies and participate in relevant educational programs.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Supervise assigned personnel.
Perform regular on-call duties for the Post-Anesthesia Unit.