Surgery Education / PACU Nurse
Location: Geneva, Illinois
Status: Full-time (36-40 hrs per wk)
Days/Hours: Monday through Friday, hours vary (no weekends or holidays)
Summary
The Surgery Education / PACU Nurse primary responsibilities are to work with the patient, patient's family, anesthesia and the patient's primary caregiver to obtain medical clearance for surgery and to educate the patient on what to expect on the day of surgery and in the postoperative period. Also, responsible for direct patient care in the pre-operative and post-operative period, including assessment of the patient’s medical condition, allergies, pain level and emotional state.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Contacts all patients scheduled for surgical procedures at Fox Valley Orthopedic's Surgical Center prior to the surgical date to obtain a complete and detailed pre-op history to determine which laboratory studies and diagnostic studies required for preoperative clearance for surgery as outlined in the Policies and Procedures.
- Collaborates with Anesthesia when there are questions regarding the need for additional laboratory studies or diagnostic tests based on information obtained during the history.
- Works with patients to make arrangements for History and Physical and laboratory studies and diagnostic studies to be performed either by the patient’s Primary Care Physician.
- Obtains history and physical and results from laboratory and diagnostic studies by contacting the Primary Care Physician and outside laboratories; and places the results on the chart to review by Anesthesia.
- Educates patients on what to expect pre and post-operative and equipment that may be needed.
- Contacts all surgical patients the day before surgery regarding time of arrival for their surgical procedure and pre-operative instructions, i.e. NPO status, taking medication in the morning, etc.
- Responsible for providing safe, therapeutic and efficient patient care.
- Develop and implement an individualized plan of care based on assessment of the patient condition, diagnosis and expected outcome. Responsible for documenting all care accurately and thoroughly.
- Assess patient condition upon arrival including biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, functional and family needs specific to the patient.
- Assess patient and responsible adult learning needs. Develop a teaching plan and provide education per plan. Document needs, education provided, and outcome of education accurately and thoroughly.
- Assist with the anesthesia process by collecting supplies for block, preparing medication for the regional block, administering sedatives prior to and/or during the block and monitoring and assessing the patient before, during and after the administration of anesthesia.
- Evaluate patient post-operative response to anesthesia and surgery and notify proper personnel of any significant changes in the patient condition.
- Administer prescribed medications according to physician orders. Responsible for understanding and interpreting medication dosages, contraindications and side effects.
- Identify and respond to urgent situations ensuring emergency equipment and supplies are available and replenished if needed.
- Monitor and evaluate a patient's at-home recovery via telephone and document all information accurately and thoroughly.
Education & Experience
Required:
- Graduate of an accredited nursing program with current Illinois Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Two (2) plus years of pre-operative, PACU, ER and/or ICU nursing work experience.
- Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
- Knowledge of governmental regulations, practices and procedures
Preferred:
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) obtained within six (6) months of hire date.
- Experience in pre-education
