PACU RN (Pre-Post)

Overview
Join our dynamic healthcare team as a PACU RN (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse), where you will play a vital role in providing exceptional recovery care for patients emerging from anesthesia. This energetic position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment dedicated to patient safety, comfort, and optimal recovery outcomes. As a PACU RN, you will utilize your critical thinking and advanced nursing skills to monitor, assess, and support patients during their immediate post-operative period, ensuring smooth transitions from surgery to recovery.

Duties

• Greets patients and provide excellent customer services skills
• Escort and assist patient to the changing area
• Ascertain that the patient has adhered to all preoperative orders
• Obtain baseline vital signs, SA02, pain assessment and monitor ECG if indicated
• Check medical record for accuracy on: History and Physical, allergies are noted, consents are signed, and lab results are attached to chart
• Directs patient care and indirect patient care, medical record preparations and reviews for completeness
• Responsible for post anesthesia ambulatory nursing process
• Establishes, implements, and monitors patient care with framework of the standards of the Surgical Center
• Assesses and responds to individual, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the patient
• Ascertain that the patient will be accompanied by a responsible adult upon discharge if receiving anesthesia
• Conducts narcotic counts in the specified manner with another registered nurse, if necessary
• Maintains inventory of narcotics and controlled drugs requisitioned by the anesthesiologist for the operating room
• Oversees drug inventory responsibilities for the Surgical Center
• Implements and ensures that physician orders are performed including but not limited to labs, radiology, and EKG
• Ensures Code carts are fully equipped, defibrillators are in operational readiness and that daily checks are completed
• Conducts patient postoperative follow up calls and completes all documentations within the defined timeframe
• Changes gas cylinders as necessary to maintain gas system integrity and communicates the need for tank replacement or system problems as they occur
• Monitor gas outlets for shutoff at the end of each day
• Prepares nursing and operative documentation for each patient
• Check all suction outlets and monitors to ensure they are functioning properly
• Administer ordered preoperative medications
• Ensure medication documentation is accurate
• Escort patient to operating room as needed
• Initiate patient teaching and discharge planning
• Maintain par level of supplies and medications, check for expiration dates on monthly basis, conduct narcotic counts in specified manner with another RN as requested
• Routing cleaning after each patient
• Check all suction equipment monitors, etc., to ensure they are all functioning properly
• Ensure stretchers and chairs are in locked position
• Ensure all equipment is clean
• Charge defibrillator/AED per manufacturer's instructions and ensure that it is in working order with all connections tightly secured and proper accessories available and on the cart
• Maintains knowledge of asepsis, infection control and universal/standard precautions
• Reduces changes of nosocomial infection by directing attention to infection preventing and control and environmental safety practices
• Conducts patient postoperative follow up calls and completes all documentations within the defined timeframe
• Perform daily/monthly code cart checks, per protocol as assigned

Requirements

● Candidate must have a New Jersey Registered Professional License (RN)

● Preferred CNOR from AORN; evidence of continuing education

● Current BLS and ACLS required (PALS if applicable)

● Recent Operating Room experience required

● Computer and keyboard proficiency

● Knowledge of medical terminology

● Excellent verbal and communication skills

● Detail oriented

● Excellent time management skills

● Ambulatory Surgical Center background experience preferred

● Multi-tasker

● Candidate should be familiar with EMR

Pay: $40.00 - $50.00 per hour

Work Location: In person