PreOp​/Pacu Nurse

Overview

Provides direct patient care to pediatric through geriatric patient populations. Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment. Assists with the maintenance of PACU equipment and inventory. Participates in performance improvement activities. Responsible for monitoring patient’s physiological status in the immediate postoperative environment. Communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously, and as needed, about patient conditions;

receives direction for patient management. Intercedes to maintain optimum homeostasis.

• Employee will adhere to dress code, appearance is always neat and clean
• Employee will complete successfully all annual education requirements
• Employee will maintain all professional/regulatory requirements
• Employee will maintain patient confidentiality at all times
• Employee will report to work on time and as scheduled, and will complete work within the designated time
• Employee will wear identification while on duty
• Employee will use computerized punch time system correctly
• Employee completes all in-services and returns them in a timely fashion
• Employee will attend annual review and department in-services, as scheduled
• Employee will make best efforts to attend all staff meetings
• Employee will represent Novi Surgery Center in a positive and professional manner
• Employee will participate in Performance Improvement and Quality Improvement activities
• Employee will comply with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices
• Employee will communicate the mission, ethics and goals of Novi Surgery Center

• Competency to assess the physiological health status of the patient
• Verify the operative procedure prior to procedure using consent forms, patient statements, and surgeon verification
• Note the condition of the skin for rashes, bruises, lesions, and previous incisions
• Determine mobility of the body using patient statements, range of motion, and the history and physical
• Report deviation of diagnostic studies such as lab or radiology reports
• Check pre-operative vital signs upon admission to surgery: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, pain, and temperature
• Identify presence of prosthesis such as dentures, pacemaker, and joint prosthesis/implants
• Note nutritional status, such as patient has been NPO
• Verify allergies to medication, food, or chemicals
• Communicate and document physiological data to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal or written report, including data which might be relevant to discharge planning
• Formulate nursing diagnosis based on health data
• Competency to establish realistic and attainable goals based on nursing diagnosis and to develop a plan of care based on nursing actions to achieve patient goals
• Competency to participate in patient and family teaching
• Participate in pre-operative teaching as needed, such as explanation of surgical routine and environment
• Communicate and document patient/family teaching
• Competency to physiologically monitor the patient during the peri-operative phase
• Assist/monitor physical symptoms, behavioral changes, intake and output, and vital signs
• Initiate nursing actions or obtain physician order as appropriate, based on interpretation of physiological data/changes
• Communicate and document patient’s physiological response to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal or written report, including which might be relevant to discharge planning
• Competency to monitor and control the environment
• Control the environment to provide ideal patient care, such as temperature of the room, sensory stimuli, traffic, and noise level
• Adhere to all safety policies and procedures
• Maintain appropriate traffic pattern in the perioperative environment
• Adhere to sanitation policies for infection control including confining and containing waste for appropriate disposal
• Competency to respect patient’s rights
• Demonstrate awareness and practice according to the Patient’s Bill of Rights and Novi Surgery Center policy
• Provide for patient safety and maintain patient confidentiality
• Communicate and document…