RN- PACU (Per Diem/ Pool) - Nicklaus Children's Health System

Job Specific Duties

• Recovers patients and supports airway management in collaboration with Anesthesia during Phase I Post-Operative Care. 
• Monitors surgical site and performs post-surgical site assessment checking for circulation, color, temperature, and movement. 
• Monitors post-operative bleeding. 
• Sets up all PCA pumps according to standards and initiates all transfusions of blood/blood products per policy to include cardiac, ICU, NICU, PICU, CICU patients.
• Administers direct patient care especially through the nursing process of assessment, recovery and vitals, intervention, and evaluation. 
• Collaborates with the medical staff in review of all post op orders to minimize any delay of care. 
• Completes all nursing multi-system assessment that includes head to toe, vitals, pain management, post anesthetic scores, and airway management. 
• Communicates and documents the patient’s progress including critical findings, changes in patients' condition with the physician and/or disciplines involved in the care of the child. 
• Implements and documents the plan of care in collaboration with other disciplines and services to assure safe and efficient care. 
• Follows physician’s orders, administers and provides medications when needed.  Adheres to six rights of medication administration per Medication Administration policy. 
• Utilizes the EHR hand-off tool to initiate/accept handoff from the OR RN and Anesthesiologist and continue to provide airway management and pain management. 
• Promotes family centered care by ensuring parental presence in the PACU. Educates patient and family on post-operative care and medications .
• Works collaboratively with all levels of the hospital interdisciplinary team and promotes the team concept within the department & hospital wide. 
• Interacts with patients and families to review plan of care, creates a family-centered environment by requesting input and communicating any patient and family concerns to physician. 
• Collaborates with the PGR Representatives to provide timely and effective communication to families. 
• Actively participates in the performance review process through chart reviews and documentation of quality metrics and ensures timeliness of charting and all requirements are met. 
• Accesses electronic health record independently according to hospital policy and completes accurate and timely documentation in the patient’s electronic health record. 
• Promotes a safe "error free" working environment by consistently adhering to  infection prevention on their assigned shift. 
• Participates in the Environment of Care rounds to ensure that rounds are completed. 
• Demonstrates proper personal protective equipment (PPE) indication and use.
• Provides patient information and effectively completes the hand off process. 
• Meets or exceeds unit standards in achieving a 95% CEI; completes documentation in a timely manner, & is accountable to regulatory, requirements of the DNV, CMS, DOH, & other accrediting agencies.