SURGERY - PREOP/PACU REGISTERED NURSE

IDAHO FALLS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LLC • Idaho Falls, ID

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pre-Op/Admitting Registered Nurse provides nursing care to patients being admitted for surgery. This role focuses on assessing patients, identifying and addressing nursing care and pre-operative needs, starting and monitoring IVs, administering pre-operative medications, and explaining procedures and patient rights. The nurse is expected to cooperate with colleagues and supervisors.

The PACU Phase I Registered Nurse cares for patients returning from surgery and helps them transition from anesthesia to an awake state. Responsibilities include supporting adequate ventilation, hemostasis, and circulation; assessing consciousness and pain; providing pain management; and maintaining patient safety until transfer to another unit. The nurse is expected to cooperate with colleagues and supervisors.

Idaho Falls Community Hospital describes its work environment as collaborative, purpose-driven, and people-centric. The hospital provides emergency care around the clock and has an emergency department, stroke and diagnostic cardiac center, and trauma center.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Idaho.
• Current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of Critical Care or PACU experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the pre-operative and PACU areas in a state of readiness, with necessary equipment in working order and age-specific supplies available.
• Assess patients’ physical and emotional needs and implement appropriate nursing interventions.
• Complete the nursing pre-assessment record, including allergies, home medications, relevant medical conditions and history, consent and operative-site confirmation, responsible-party confirmation, and confirmation that ordered laboratory and test results are on the chart.
• Respect patients’ privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
• Assist patients with undressing when needed and store their belongings appropriately.
• Assess or obtain vital signs, height and weight, blood glucose when applicable, pregnancy testing when applicable, and pain level.
• Start IVs unless an order directs otherwise, following anesthesia protocols for fluids and catheter size.
• Provide pre-operative instruction and explain procedures and patient rights.
• Ensure patients are seen by the anesthesia provider before being taken to the operating room.
• Set priorities to support timely and efficient patient flow.
• Carry out physician and anesthesia-provider orders and document pertinent patient information in nursing notes.
• Assess PACU patients on admission, including airway, respirations, vital signs, level of consciousness using the Aldrete scale, and pain level.
• Record vital signs every five minutes and the Aldrete scale every 15 minutes.
• Use appropriate devices and techniques to assist respirations and maintain optimum blood oxygen saturation.
• Assess the surgical site for bleeding, reinforce dressings, and notify the physician of increased drainage.
• Assess and treat post-operative pain effectively.
• Position patients as ordered by the physician.
• Assess and record fluid intake and output.
• Maintain cooperative behavior with colleagues and supervisors.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick days, and medical paid time off.
• Retirement plan with a 401(k) match of up to 6%.
• Earned quarterly bonus program.
• Education reimbursement program.
• Discounts for medically necessary procedures performed at Idaho Falls Community Hospital and Mountain View Hospital.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed