Certified Nursing Assistant - PACU​/Penn Presbyterian Medical Center

Position: Certified Nursing Assistant - PACU / Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
** Description*
* Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

** Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) is seeking a dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant to join our dynamic Preoperative and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) team.*
* This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, patient-focused environment, providing exceptional care to individuals preparing for surgery and recovering from anesthesia. Our team supports a wide range of surgical specialties, including ophthalmology, vascular, general surgery, orthopedics, urology, gynecology, and more.

As part of this collaborative and highly skilled unit, you'll play a critical role in ensuring patient safety, comfort, and readiness for surgery, as well as monitoring and supporting patients during their immediate post-operative recovery. With individualized patient ratios based on acuity and a strong emphasis on teamwork, this setting offers an engaging and supportive environment for CNAs looking to advance their perioperative and critical care skills.

Join us in a state-of-the-art facility where you'll have the opportunity to grow professionally while delivering high-quality care in a multidisciplinary setting.

Summary:

+ The certified nursing assistant is an integral member of the health care team who delivers quality care through collaboration and communication with team members. They work under the direct supervision of the registered nurse to support and assist the nurse in the delivery of quality care to patients and families. Some of the major responsibilities will include collection and reporting of patient data, incorporating organizational competencies of superior quality care and assuming responsibility and accountability for their role performance outcomes while supporting PPMC's Standards of Excellence.  

Demonstrates the Penn Medicine Behavioral Competencies in all interactions with patients, families and colleagues.

Responsibilities:

+ Report Receives written/verbal report at the beginning of each shift from the registered nurse (RN) regarding the care that is to be delivered to the assigned group of patients, or for patient needing constant observation. Gives report when leaving unit, and at the completion of the shift regarding the care that was delivered

+  any abnormalities that occur during the shift are to be reported as they occur to the RN as well as to the oncoming CNA or PCA.

+ Assists in Assessment Identifies the patient per hospital policy before carrying out functions. Assists with data collection for nursing history and physical e.g., vital signs, ht. wt., blood sugar results, functional status and communicates changes to the RN in a timely fashion. Participates in respectful communication with patients, families and coworkers. Provides patient and family information to the registered nurse for coordination of care and discharge planning.

Observes skin changes and reports discoloration, abrasions, infestations or skin breakdown.

+ Planning Assists in setting mutually agreed upon realistic individual patient goals. Integrates the RN's directions re: the patient's plan of care into the care given to the patient. Gives RN report before the end of the shift regarding the patient's response to the plan of care issues, and at various times during the shift to report unusual findings e.g., abnormal blood sugar results, vital sign changes, pain etc.

+ Intervention Promotes infection control by using the appropriate hand washing techniques. Follows standard precautions and any other isolation precautions as dictated by the patient's condition. Maintains a safe environment and protects the patient from injury by observing the patient who may be at risk for falls, confusion, disorientation, wandering or suicidal behaviors

+  follows Constant Observation Policy. Applies and monitors patients in restraints per policy and per medical order. Observes or monitors behavior/health state and responses to therapy.
o Temperature, Pulse, Respiration.
o Blood Pressure.
o Height and Weight.
o Intake and Output.
o Bowel and Bladder Function Checks.
o Pain. Communicates pertinent observations to appropriate members of the health care team in a timely fashion. Participates in multidisciplinary rounds on the patient care unit. Performs patient care rounds per unit policy. Participates in staff and unit council meetings. Works in collaboration with all members of the healthcare team. Reports findings to nurse concerning the patient and or family which may impact…