RN Pre-Op & Recovery

Surgery Partners•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

The RN Pre-Op & PACU nurse ensures patient safety throughout the continuum of peri-anesthesia care. The role prepares patients for invasive procedures through education, health assessments, and individualized care planning. After surgery, the nurse monitors patients and ensures they and their designated caregivers are prepared for discharge and understand post-operative care and follow-up instructions. The nurse provides pre-operative and post-anesthesia care, manages pain and comfort, identifies potential emergencies, and documents assessments and interventions in the medical record. The role also works with patients, physicians, coworkers, supervisors, hospital partners, and other team members to support safe, effective care and smooth daily operations. The position requires compliance with facility policies and applicable CMS, State, CDC, and AAAHC standards and regulations.

Requirements

Current, active Registered Nurse license issued by the applicable State Board of Nursing.
Current BLS certification.
Current ACLS certification.
Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program.
Ability to make sound and reasonable clinical decisions.
Ability to concentrate on individual patient care and remain calm under pressure.
Accountability, professionalism, adaptability, and openness to change.
Ability to manage stressful situations with tact and professionalism.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with physicians, hospital partners, and ASC staff.
Working knowledge of computers and internet applications.
Ability to learn and use electronic medical record (EMR) systems and other healthcare software applications.
Visual and hearing abilities sufficient to safely perform patient care activities.

Responsibilities

Perform pre-procedure assessments and develop individualized plans of care based on patients’ physical, psychosocial, cultural, safety, pain-management, and educational needs.
Prepare patients for surgical procedures and provide pre-operative education and instructions.
Document assessments and care plans accurately and thoroughly in the medical record.
Assess and monitor post-anesthesia and sedated patients throughout their PACU stay.
Provide post-operative pain management and comfort measures.
Assess readiness for discharge and ensure patients and caregivers understand discharge instructions and follow-up care requirements.
Document post-operative care and interventions in the medical record.
Recognize potential emergencies and respond using clinical judgment and professional expertise.
Maintain knowledge of anesthesia techniques and associated complications, signs and symptoms of impending shock, respiratory compromise, and airway management.
Comply with facility policies for patient safety, infection prevention and control, and risk management, as well as applicable CMS, State, CDC, and AAAHC standards and regulations.
Communicate effectively and interact professionally, courteously, and respectfully with patients, physicians, coworkers, and guests.
Work with colleagues, supervisors, physicians, and hospital partners to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of patient care.
Support clinical and non-clinical team members and assist as needed to promote smooth daily operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.