Registered Nurse, RN - Perioperative

Independence Health System Careers•Latrobe, PA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care for a designated group of patients. The RN coordinates, directs, and participates as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team to support efficient unit operations and positive patient outcomes. This position floats between the short stay unit and recovery room and participates in an on-call rotation to provide post-operative care 24/7. In the Short Stay Unit, the RN assesses, monitors, and educates patients before and after procedures; provides procedure-related information to patients and families; and initiates discharge after physician approval. The RN reviews discharge instructions, provides educational materials, and discharges patients with a responsible adult. The RN also cares for patients receiving blood transfusions, therapies, and nursing service visits; assists health care professionals during procedures; supports moderate sedation in accordance with ACLS and hospital guidelines; handles specimens; and performs duties needed to keep the unit operating safely. In the Recovery Room, the RN coordinates patient-care education tailored to patient and family needs, including age, culture, learning barriers, and readiness to learn. The RN ensures written post-operative orders are available before PACU discharge and reviews them with the receiving unit to support continuity of care. The RN keeps current with procedures, treatments, drugs, and equipment relevant to post-operative care. The position also involves maintaining professional knowledge, documenting and communicating care, protecting confidential information, promoting patient safety and independence, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, maintaining equipment and supplies, and completing other related duties as assigned. The role has no direct supervisory responsibilities, though the incumbent may coach and mentor others. Scheduling is based on operational needs and may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work. Local travel between system locations may be expected.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved curriculum, including CPR and AED.
Current PALS certification, or completion within one year of hire or transfer into the department.
Current ACLS certification, or completion within one year of hire or transfer into the department.
Strong leadership ability and good organizational skills.
Independent and critical-thinking skills and sound judgment.
Knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
May be required to complete a nursing refresher course if the employee has not worked in an acute care setting during their most recent three consecutive years of professional employment.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.
Ability to participate in call rotation and work schedules based on operational needs, including rotating shifts, standby, and on-call.
Ability to travel locally between system locations may be expected.
For lifting requirements above 50 pounds, use lift assistance from two people and/or a transfer device.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
One year of critical care or PACU experience.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for a designated group of patients.
Coordinate and participate as an effective member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge through education, publications, professional networks, and professional societies.
Provide quality care in accordance with therapeutic standards, patient-care goals, nursing standards, and applicable regulations.
Follow infection-control, medication administration and storage, and controlled-substance procedures.
Document patient care and communicate nursing actions, irregularities, and ongoing needs to maintain continuity among nursing teams.
Protect patient confidentiality and maintain patient and family confidence.
Identify patient-care requirements and provide compassionate emotional, psychological, and spiritual support.
Promote patient independence by establishing care goals and educating patients and families about conditions, medications, and self-care.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and seek assistance from health care support personnel when needed.
Resolve patient problems and needs through multidisciplinary teamwork and contribute to team quality improvement and problem-solving.
Maintain equipment through preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair requests, inventory, and evaluation of new equipment and techniques.
Maintain nursing supplies inventory, anticipate needs, place and expedite orders, and verify receipt of supplies.
In the Short Stay Unit, assess, monitor, and educate patients about age-specific needs before and after procedures.
Provide patients and families with information about procedures and review discharge instructions and educational materials.
Initiate discharge following physician approval or order and discharge patients with a responsible adult.
Prepare, assess, and discharge patients receiving blood transfusions, therapies, and nursing service visits.
Administer blood transfusions according to established policies and initiate and document series visits according to applicable guidelines.
Assist physicians and other allied health professionals during procedures in accordance with licenses and certifications.
Prepare patients for procedures and verify patient identity, procedure, and surgical site according to policy.
Assist with moderate sedation in accordance with ACLS and hospital guidelines and handle specimens appropriately.
Adapt to changing perioperative team needs and perform indirect care duties necessary for safe unit operation.
Open and close the Short Procedure Unit as assigned and check the crash cart when the unit is open.
In the Recovery Room, develop and coordinate patient-care education that promotes health, self-care, and improved outcomes.
Tailor PACU education to patient and family needs, including age, culture, learning barriers, and readiness to learn.
Ensure written post-operative orders are available before PACU discharge and review them with the receiving unit.
Keep current with procedures, treatments, drugs, and equipment related to post-operative patient care.
Participate in the call schedule to provide post-surgical patient care 24/7.
Perform other related duties as assigned.