SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Manager (or designee) implements, supervises, and evaluates the nursing care of each patient using a nursing process and in accordance with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Provides intensive nursing care to post-operative patients when assigned to post anesthesia area. From admission to discharge, plans with consideration of the aging process throughout the life span, including all developmental stages as well as cultural patterns.
Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Renders professional nursing care to peri-operative patients including review of patients’ charts, administration of medications, starting IV’s and hanging blood, electrocardiography, venipuncture, catheterization, defibrillation, and other complex or routine treatments as prescribed by physician or as required by patient’s condition.
• Initiates or participates in life-saving procedures to include administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation as necessary.
• Participates in planning and implementation of nursing care plan for assigned patients.
• Utilizes professional judgment to evaluate appropriateness of planned or prescribed treatment given patient’s current condition; modifies treatment or contacts physician as circumstances require.
• Reviews patient chart assuring pertinent information readily available such as lab reports, and operative permits and assures all pre-operative medications and orders have been carried out.
• Verifies patient’s identity prior to surgical procedure.
• Performs nursing duties according to procedures of area assigned. As Assigned to Preoperative holding unit, Performs complete patient assessment in preparation for surgery focusing on physiological and cognitive functions as part of the development of the plan of care for patient. Reviews and evaluates pre-admission testing results (labs, EKG’s, etc.) to identify and report all testing results to appropriate medical providers (Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, etc.). Conducts interviews and screenings with all patients scheduled for surgical encounter.
• Compiles all relevant medical information necessary for effective evaluation and identify need for further evaluation and/or medical intervention.
• Provides patient/family education for the preoperative patient relevant to the surgical procedure scheduled.
• Assesses physical, psycho-social, cultural, spiritual language barriers, age, teaching needs and readiness to learn and involves the appropriate interdisciplinary team in the plan of care.
• Places peripheral IV, orders pre-op protocol order set per policy, and administers any medications needed prior to surgery.
• As assigned to post-anesthesia recovery area, Admits post-operative patient, checking for stability of vital signs and notifies anesthesiologist or surgeon as indicated. Continually observes patient; monitors vital signs; ventilates and suctions patients; inserts catheters; administers oxygen and the like, according to physician’s instructions and/or professional assessment of patient’s condition. Determines when patient’s condition is stable and releases to designated hospital area. Maintains records and charts, reporting pertinent information regarding patient’s condition, medication given, treatments administered and so forth.
• Assists in directing, orienting, training, and providing functional guidance to surgical technicians and new nursing personnel as requested.
• Maintains and enhances professional expertise through participation in appropriate educational activities.
• Serves as a role model/preceptor to new graduate nurses and less experienced personnel.
• Works with a high level of autonomy and displays exceptional critical thinking skills to identify and address specific patient needs.
• Assumes charge nurse responsibility for the patient care unit as delegated.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensure as Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing or licensure as a Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

• Professional knowledge of clinical nursing to provide nursing care to pre-operative patients under stressful conditions requiring knowledge to sterile techniques, surgical procedures and special precautions and the ability to react to life-threatening situations.
• Interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, and other hospital personnel.
• Visual and aural acuity to monitor patient progress.
• Baccalaureate in Nursing preferred.
• Must have current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island or in another state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• BLS/ACLS/PALS certified (New hires have 1 year to obtain ACLS/PALS)
• For adult PACU: Minimum of 1-year previous adult Critical Care, adult ED, and/or PACU experience required. Prior experience in patient assessment and evaluation of surgical patients.
• For pediatric PACU: Minimum of 1-year previous pediatric Critical care or pediatric ED experience required.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Visual and aural ability to monitor patient status.
• Physical ability to assist in lifting and positioning patients.
• Exposed to patient care environment.
• Physical ability for extensive walking and standing; lifting, positioning, and pushing patients on stretchers.
• On-call shifts, weekend shifts, and holiday shifts as assigned per unit.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None.

Pay Range: 

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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