Registered Nurse - Pre-Op / PACU

Company: BRISTOW MEDICAL CENTER OPERATING CO
Location: Jenks
Posted on: November 23, 2021

Job Description:

Job Details

Level
Undisclosed

Job Location
CORE - Jenks, OK

Remote Type
N/A

Position Type
PRN

Education Level
Undisclosed

Salary Range
Undisclosed

Travel Percentage
Undisclosed

Job Shift
Undisclosed

Job Category
Undisclosed

Description

Summary

A PACU, or postoperative care unit, the nurse is responsible for caring for patients after surgery. A PACU nurse should be very familiar with anesthesiology and be committed to the care of others. Must work in conjunction with anesthesia services and physician while coordinating patient care in Phase I and II Recovery.

Duties

Upon a patient's arrival in the PACU, the nurse is informed of the patient's post-surgery condition and any complications that may have arisen. The PACU nurse is responsible for assessing the patient: checking vital signs, pain, the site of incision, temperature, and respiration. The PACU nurse should have a thorough knowledge of pain medication and be able to use his own judgment of a patient's pain. Duties of a PACU nurse include changing of dressings, turning a patient, breathing exercises and pain management

Responsibilities

Even though a PACU nurse answers to a physician, the nurse should be able to make judgments and assessments when it comes to pain, vomiting or trouble breathing. A PACU nurse is responsible for knowing advanced cardiac life support and should be able to know what to do if a patient has cardiac issues. The PACU nurse is also responsible for routing a patient from anesthesia after the patient has been admitted into the PACU. The patient is either discharged to go home after the PACU nurse has assessed his recovery status, the patient is kept in the PACU under the supervision of the nurse, or the patient is allowed to go to a hospital room.

Qualifications

Education Required

To become hired as a PACU nurse, a nurse must have a degree from an accredited school of nursing and must be licensed as a registered nurse. The nurse should also be certified in BCLS and ACLS--basic and advanced cardiac life support

Experience Required

Most hospitals ask that a prospective PACU nurse has experience in post-anesthesia care and surgical nursing. The PACU nurse must have knowledge of pain medications, anesthesia, and life support. He must be aware of surgical procedures and aseptic technique.

Other Qualifications

A PACU nurse must be a quick thinker, able to stay calm in emergencies and be professional, as they may oversee other nurses. The PACU nurse must be organized and be able to prioritize issues with patients. A PACU nurse should be cheerful and personable.

References
Lippincott's Nursing Center.com: Wake up to a Career in PACU Nursing
Encyclopedia of Surgery: Postoperative Care
GrandTeton.net: PeriAnesthesia Nurse

Keywords: BRISTOW MEDICAL CENTER OPERATING CO, Tulsa , Registered Nurse - Pre-Op / PACU, Healthcare , Jenks, Oklahoma