Registered Nurse-Preop/PACU

University Clinical Health•Memphis, TN

About The Position

The Preoperative Registered Nurse assesses, plans, implements, and coordinates patient care from admission through discharge. The nurse works to achieve patient outcomes by implementing critical pathways and following the facility’s mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures. The role includes preoperative and postoperative patient care, patient education and support, monitoring, documentation, coordination with physicians and other team members, and maintaining a safe and organized clinical environment. The nurse provides age-appropriate care, evaluates patient progress, revises care plans as needed, supports emergency response, and contributes to quality improvement, staff orientation, and patient education. The position also involves preparing and maintaining clinical areas, equipment, and supplies; following infection-control and safety practices; and meeting facility requirements for compliance, service excellence, attendance, continuing education, and professional conduct.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
Current state licensure to practice nursing.
Current BLS/BCLS certification, or successful completion within 90 days of employment.
Current ACLS certification, or successful completion of the ACLS course within 90 days of employment or applicable documentation.
Current PALS certification if requested by the supervisor, or successful completion of the PALS course within 90 days of employment or applicable documentation.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of medical/surgical nursing experience.

Responsibilities

Assess patients on admission and throughout care; plan, implement, evaluate, and document care to achieve identified outcomes.
Coordinate nursing interventions and patient care to support expected outcomes and readiness for discharge.
Use nursing standards, clinical judgment, and specialized nursing knowledge to provide safe direct and indirect care.
Provide age-appropriate assessments, treatment, safety measures, and interventions.
Check the daily schedule and prepare supplies and equipment; check and document defibrillator and laryngoscope functions as assigned.
Complete patient histories, physical assessments, medical-record reviews, and admissions according to procedure.
Maintain patient normothermia, comfort, emotional support, and safety; monitor patients and administer and document medications as ordered.
Reinforce physician instructions and explanations of procedures, assess learning needs, and provide patient instructions and education.
Verify procedure sites and consent, communicate relevant information to physicians and staff, and provide emergency care according to policy.
Set priorities to support efficient patient flow and assign or coordinate patient-care responsibilities based on patient needs and staff abilities.
Assume charge nurse responsibilities as assigned and participate in quality monitoring, team conferences, staff orientation, and patient education development.
Complete nursing documentation, hand-off reports, controlled-substance records, and other required records accurately and promptly.
Clean, organize, and restock preoperative and recovery areas and equipment; monitor inventory and notify appropriate staff about supply orders.
Assist with preoperative and postoperative patient calls and review charts for completeness and physician signatures.
Follow facility safety, infection-control, emergency, confidentiality, compliance, and attendance policies; report unsafe conditions and complete event or variance documentation as required.
Participate in staff meetings, performance appraisals, training, continuing education, and professional development; maintain required certifications.
Interact professionally and courteously with patients, families, visitors, physicians, and teammates, and contribute to a positive team environment.
Provide input on equipment and supply needs, use cost-containment practices, and participate in inventory counts as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.