RN PeriAnesthesia

WhidbeyHealth•Coupeville, WA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse for Ambulatory Surgery and the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) provides direct care to patients from pediatric through geriatric age. The role addresses psychosocial, physical, and general needs related to the surgical experience, including preadmission, Phase 1 PACU care, Phase 2 recovery, discharge, and postoperative follow-up. The PACU RN monitors patients’ physiological status in the immediate perioperative environment, communicates with surgeons and anesthesiologists about patient condition, follows direction for patient management, and intervenes to maintain homeostasis. The nurse also educates patients and families about perioperative care and self-care at home. Participation in performance improvement and strong critical-thinking skills are required. On-call work is required. The RN assesses and monitors patients, including vital signs and cardiorespiratory status; recognizes changes and responds appropriately; administers medication as needed after assessment; and documents care and patient responses. The role includes airway management, knowledge of anesthetic drugs and dysrhythmias, care of invasive monitoring lines, and response to emergencies. The RN coordinates care, protects patient privacy, communicates patient condition during transfers, and maintains effective working relationships with coworkers. The position also includes required annual education, skills review and in-services, regulatory compliance, participation in quality-improvement activities, and ongoing cross-training for procedural sedation.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
At least two years of recent experience in Acute Care, Ambulatory Surgery, PACU, or ICU.
Active Washington State RN license or active Multistate License (MSL).
For MSL applicants: completion of an approved six-hour suicide prevention training course and a screenshot of submitted demographic data using the Washington State Multistate Nurse Demographic Data Survey.
American Heart Association BLS required.
ACLS and PALS required within 90 days.
Meet the physical demands of the job.
Maintain confidentiality of patient records.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
ASPAN and/or CAPA specialty certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct perioperative care to pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients across preadmission, Phase 1 PACU, Phase 2 recovery, discharge, and postoperative follow-up.
Monitor patients’ physiological status and assess vital signs and cardiorespiratory systems; identify changes and provide appropriate treatment.
Apply knowledge of perioperative factors, airway management, anesthetic drugs and side effects, dysrhythmias, disease processes, surgical conditions, and invasive monitoring lines such as arterial lines.
Administer medication as needed after assessing and evaluating the patient’s condition; observe behavioral changes, take appropriate action, and document them.
Respond appropriately to emergencies and physically distressful situations, and notify physicians of abnormal lab or test results.
Coordinate patient care and provide explanations, reassurance, and education to patients and families about perioperative care and home self-care.
Maintain medical/surgical asepsis during treatments and special procedures; protect patient privacy and sensitivities.
Document patient care clearly, legibly, and within the shift according to standards, policies, and procedures; ensure confidentiality of patient records.
Communicate patient condition thoroughly during transfer from ambulatory surgery to the operating room or from PACU to the receiving unit registered nurse.
Maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and communicate WhidbeyHealth’s mission, ethics, and goals.
Complete annual education requirements, attend the annual Surgical Services Skills Lab Review and scheduled department in-services, and maintain regulatory requirements.
Participate actively in departmental Continuous Quality Improvement activities and continue cross-training to provide procedural sedation.
Report to work as scheduled and ready to receive assignment; attend at least 75% of staff meetings; complete specially assigned duties as schedule allows.
Organize and manage activities with consideration for department and staff needs, and maintain initiative and productivity.

Benefits

Medical coverage: HDHP with HSA or PPO.
Prescription drug coverage.
Dental options: PPO or managed-care plan.
Vision benefits through VSP.
Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance.
Employer-paid long-term disability coverage.
Health Savings Account (HSA) if enrolled in HDHP.
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA), including dependent and healthcare options.
Employee and Provider Assistance Programs offering free, confidential support.
Voluntary employee-paid additional life and AD&D insurance.
Voluntary employee-paid additional long-term disability coverage.