PACU Nurse

PURPOSE: To establish guidelines to identify the professional qualifications and skills required for employment in the postoperative area.

 

POLICY:  It is the recovery room nurses responsibility to formulate and execute the nursing care for patients of all ages in the post-op area to ensure the patient receives the highest quality of care, that their safety is ensured according to policy and procedure and to instigate and execute all other tasks as requested by the Director of Nurses and Administrator.

 

DUTIES:

 

A.  Obtain report from anesthesiologist and/or circulator.

B. Place patient on all appropriate monitors

C. Maintain patient’s airway

D. Monitor respiratory and circulatory status by monitoring patient vital signs.

E.  Assess level of consciousness and promote reactivity. 

F.  Assess operative sites, invasive lines, and dressing

G. Administer medications as ordered.

H. Follow doctor’s orders.

I.  Promote patient comfort and privacy

J. Implement nursing care plan.

K.  Offer liquids when patient able to tolerate.

L.  Discontinue patient intravenous line as ordered.

M. Assist patient with changing clothes.

N.  Give post operative instructions according to Doctor’s Orders

O.  Communicate with patient, family, surgeon, anesthesiologist and center staff.

P.  Complete post operative calls

Q.  Count narcotics on incoming and outgoing shift

R. Survey and stock warming unit, and refrigerator temperature.

 

Minimal qualifications:

1.   Requires degree or diploma from an accredited two, three, or four year school of nursing with active registration from the Board of Nursing Registration and Nurse education, state of Texas

2.  Requires current certification as a basic life support provider.

3.  Requires ability to speak, see, and hear, due to patient care duties.

4.  Requires the ability to distinguish between colors.

5.  Requires analytical skills to problem solve.

6.  Requires effective communication skills, flexibility, assertiveness, and team collaboration

7.  Requires quick, safe thinking to respond to any crisis situation.

8.  Requires computer competency in the use of basic ASC software and Microsoft Office.

 

 

 

Physical Requirements:

A. Position exerts up to 50lb of force occasionally, and/or 20 lb of force frequently and/or up to 10lb. of force consistently to more objects.

B. Requires pushing, pulling, reaching, kneeling, stooping, and finger dexterity.

C. Requires ability to work with hazardous materials.

D. This position has been determined by the Center as having occupational exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and other infectious materials as defined by state regulations.All positions are responsible for adhering to and meeting the quality and customer standards specified by the Center.