Registered Nurse- PACU 27

Good Shepherd Health Care•Hermiston, OR

12d

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 the patient's surgical experience. The recovery nurse monitors patients undergoing local-only procedures in the operating room and may administer conscious sedation if certified. The nurse supports quality pre- and post-procedure care using the nursing process, established standards, and applicable policies and procedures; advocates for patients; and directs and supervises assigned personnel. The role supports the hospital's mission, vision, and values. Although the listed schedule states “NO call,” the position definition also says the employee will be on call for the Post-Anesthesia Unit on a regular scheduled rotation. This is a full-time, 36-hour-per-week evening-shift position. The listed schedule is Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, 11:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m., with Holiday Rotation A. The stated wage range is $48.18–$81.97 per hour, and the posting advertises medical, dental, and vision benefits paid by the employer and a sign-on bonus of up to $20,000.

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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Conscious sedation certification.
CAPA or CPAN certification.
Ultrasound-guided IV certification.
Previous experience in day surgery, PACU, pre-admission services, or an ambulatory surgery center.
Familiarity with glucometers, arterial lines, SpaceLabs, Epic charting, bladder scanners, ultrasound machines, Belmont rapid infusers, and blood warmers.

Responsibilities

Complete nursing assessments during preoperative and postoperative care.
Admit patients according to hospital standards of care.
Initiate and manage intravenous access.
Monitor patients for changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and consciousness, and report or intervene as needed according to medical guidelines.
Use the Aldrete scoring system during PACU care.
Ensure patients maintain an airway and adequate respiratory function.
Perform interventions to maintain patients’ genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, as well as fluid and electrolyte balance.
Consistently inform medical staff about patient status.
Administer pain medication and assess its effectiveness.
Treat postoperative nausea with medication and comfort measures.
Develop an individualized peri-anesthesia plan of care.
Assist anesthesia with nerve blocks as needed.
Administer medications using the eight rights of safe medication practices.
Maintain the integrity of surgical sites to support tissue perfusion and prevent infection.
Perform interventions to maintain normothermia throughout the continuum of care.
Assess patients’ and designated caretakers’ knowledge and provide education about expected outcomes, medications, wound care, diet, activity, anesthesia side effects, when to seek medical care, complications, and other relevant needs.
Assess patient progress toward desired outcomes.
Collaborate with other disciplines and nursing staff as needed.
Transfer patient care as needed.
Delegate tasks in accordance with Oregon State Board of Nursing guidelines.
Use critical-thinking, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills to build effective team relationships.
Pursue professional growth and development.
Advocate for patients and safeguard their privacy and health information.
Involve patients and/or their support people in decisions affecting the perioperative plan of care.
Follow safety protocols, including fall-risk and infection-control measures.
Document accurately in the electronic medical record.
Maintain required competencies.
Support the hospital mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
Participate in required education for applicable DNV programs.
Perform other related duties as assigned.