Senior Registered Nurse - PACU (Nights)

Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission: the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that's served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It's our passion.
Primary Purpose
The RN is a licensed professional who uses the Parkland nursing professional practice model to coordinate patient care delivery, that focuses on a particular patient population(s)/specific health conditions, by the health care team. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses the patient, identifies nursing diagnoses based on responses to health problems, develops and implements an individualized plan of care, and evaluates the patient's response. The RN utilizes knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to assist patients to transition through the healthcare encounter without any preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions to health care personnel based on the Texas Nursing Practice Act, each patient's condition and the competencies of the employee.
Minimum Specifications
Education

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing.

• Must have a minimum two (2) years of Phase I PACU, ICU, or ED experience

• None

• Must have current RN license or valid temporary permit with the Texas Board of Nursing or valid Compact RN license.
• Must have current healthcare provider CPR course completion card from one of the following:
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Military Training Network
• Must have current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Incumbents in the position on 4/17/2013 will have until 7/17/2013 to become certified. Anyone hired or placed in the position after 4/17/2013 must have current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Must have Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or obtain within 90 days of placement into the role. Incumbents in the position on 4/17/2013 will have until 7/17/2013 to become certified.

• External candidates must pass (80% or above) PACU's assigned challenge exam(s).
• Internal candidates changing specialties must pass (80% or above) PACU's assigned challenge exam(s).

• Provides care to assigned patient population in accordance with the current State of Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plan of care, and clinical area specific standards.
• Must demonstrate clinical proficiency in the post anesthesia care.(Phase I Recovery, Phase II and extended care), as deemed necessary by patient's level of care.
• Integrates the standards and practice recommendations from the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses (ASPN) in decision making and educational/performance improvement projects.
• Provides continuous assessment, consults with other team members as required and provides nursing care which demonstrates patient centered/patient valued care.
• Exercises independent judgment in providing nursing care
• Must be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and possess good oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide direction to non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and function independently as a charge nurse.
• Must demonstrate clinical proficiency in the post anesthesia care.
• Must be able to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.
• As applicable, will be required to demonstrate acceptable knowledge of nursing standards of care for specialty unique critical care area.
• Integrates national nursing organization resources/standards of practice in decision making and educational/performance improvement projects.
• Must possess leadership abilities.

• Serves as a patient advocate, by focusing on patient needs, patient rights and confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences. Maintains positive working relationships with all Parkland internal and external customers, employees, etc. Serves as a resource for patients and other healthcare team members. Provides patient care educational information and training for patient and family members. Serves as a resource for specific clinical patient care issues. Provides appropriate hand off any time care is relinquished.
• Maintains and implements knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact or govern nursing practice, and ensures the hospital and Parkland are in compliance. Develops effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal laws and the program requirements of accrediting agencies and federal, state and private health plans. Maintains and updates knowledge and appropriate utilization of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, and equipment.
• Performs appropriate patient assessments. Participates consistently in Universal Protocol, site marking identification, identifications of appropriate clinical interventions and skills appropriate to Pre Op Holding area assignments. Utilizes critical thinking skills to ensure optimal patient care in the pre-operative setting.
• Provides Phase I (postoperative recovery) to adult and pediatric patients. Performs appropriate patient assessments, continuous monitoring and recognizes changes in patient's conditions providing appropriate interventions as necessary and ordered. Consults with other team members as required, notifies providers to report changes in patient condition and implements orders in a timely manner. Exercises independent judgment in providing and prioritizing safe nursing care to all levels of the perianesthesia (Preop. Phase I, Phase II, and extended recovery) patient.
• Provides safe medication administration, appropriate pain management. Provides emergency resuscitation care and individualized plan of care appropriate to patient's procedure/surgery. Ensures patient readiness for discharge from PACU and meets discharge criteria and provides appropriate hand off to ensure safe continuity of care.
• Completes appropriate documentation. Maintains accurate and timely entries and notations in patient care records and hospital documents. Ensures that all records meet the standards of the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and Parkland.
• Serves as a preceptor to on-boarding nursing staff members.
• Identifies ways to improve processes and improve patient and customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to leadership team.
• Implements and monitors process improvement results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the perianesthesia nursing practice by attending seminars, workshops, reading professional journals and actively participating in professional organizations. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Collaborates and seeks direction from experienced staff and team members as needed. May work with other staff in providing direction to non-nursing staff. Utilizes effective and therapeutic communication with nursing and other Parkland staff that support the standards, mission, goals and objectives of the department and Parkland.