Independence Health System·North Huntingdon Township, Pennsylvania
The RN provides comprehensive pre- and post-operative care for patients in the short stay unit and recovery room. Responsibilities include assessing patient needs, coordinating with the interdisciplinary healthcare team, and managing discharge processes.
The RN assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the care for a designated group of patients. The RN coordinates, directs and actively participates as an effective member of the interdisciplinary health care team, contributing to the efficient operation of the unit and promoting positive patient outcomes. This position floats between the short stay unit and recovery room.
Essential Job Functions
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending education workshops, review professional publications, establish personal networks, and participate in professional societies.
Assure quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards, making or recommending necessary adjustments, and following system/hospital and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse practice act, and other governing agency regulations.
Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
Document patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
Maintain continuity among nursing teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs using Nurse Knowledge Exchange techniques.
Maintain patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
Identify patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients, and other persons in a position to understand care requirements.
Establish a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
Promote patient's independence by establishing patient care goals, teaching patient/family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills, and answering questions.
Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations; calling for assistance from health care support personnel.
Resolve patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.
Maintain a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information, responding to requests, building rapport, and participating in team continuous quality improvement and problem-solving methods.
Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Ensure operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements by following manufacturer's instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs, maintaining equipment inventories, and evaluating new equipment and techniques.
Maintain nursing supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies, placing and expediting orders for supplies, verifying receipt of supplies, and using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
SHORT STAY Responsibilities
Provides complete patient care by identifying age specific needs during the assessment, monitoring and education of patient’s pre and post procedures.
Provides the patient/family with information related to procedures (pre and post).
Initiates the discharge process following physician approval/order for discharge. Reviews discharge instructions with patient and family member or significant other, distributes appropriate educational materials. Discharges patient with a responsible adult.
Prepares, assesses and discharges patients presenting for blood transfusions, therapies and nursing service visits.
Administers blood transfusions according to established policies.
Initiates series visit following series visit guidelines.
Documents accurately and completely on appropriate series records.
Assists Allied Health Care Professionals MDs/DOs/Pas/CRNAs/CRNPs in the provision of care during procedures that take place on the unit, in accordance with licenses and certifications. These would include but are not limited to (Bronchoscopy, PEG Tube Changes, Anesthesia nerve blocks…)
Pre-ops patient at the appropriate time.
Identifies patient, appropriate procedure and surgical site by following the policy for surgical site identification.
Assists in Moderate Sedation administration in accordance with ACLS and hospital guidelines.
Handles specimens appropriately.
Maintains the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the perioperative team.
Performs indirect patient care duties essential to maintaining safe operation of Short Procedure Unit.
As assigned, opens SPU in AM and closes unit at the completion of the schedule.
Checks crash cart when unit is open and completes appropriate
RECOVERY ROOM Responsibilities
Develops an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, fosters self-care and improves outcomes.
Tailors the educational process to meet the needs of the patient/family while in the PACU with emphasis on age, culture, barriers to learning and readiness to learn.
Assures that written postoperative orders are available before discharge from PACU and reviews with the receiving unit to ensure continuity of care.
Keeps abreast of new procedures, treatments, drugs, equipment related to the care of the postoperative patient to assure progressive PACU care.
Requires participation in a call schedule to ensure ability to take care of patient’s post-surgery 24/7.
Other related duties as assigned.
Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]
Required Qualifications/Experience
Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program required.
Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.
One-year critical care or PACU experience.
License, Certification & Clearances
Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania required.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program required.
Current PALS or completion within 1 year of hire/transfer into department
Current ACLS or completion within 1 year of hire/transfer into department
A Nursing refresher course may be required if employee has not worked in an acute care setting for his / her most recent three consecutive years of professional employment.
Act 33 with renewal.
Act 34 with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
Travel may be expected locally between System locations.
Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Extreme Heat: x
Extreme Cold: x
Heights: x
Confined Spaces: x
Extreme Noise(>85dB)
x
Mechanical Hazards: x
Use of Vibrating Tools
x
Operates Vehicle: x
Operates Heavy Equipment: x
Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices
x
Rotates All Shifts: x
8 Hours Shifts
x
10-12 Hours Shifts
x
On-Call: x
Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hrs/wk)
x
Travel Between Sites: x
Direct Patient Care: x
Respirator Protective Equipment: x
Eye Protection: x
Head Protection (hard hat)
x
Hearing Protection: x
Hand Protection: x
Feet, Toe Protection
x
Body Protection: x
Latex Exposure: x
Solvent Exposure: x
Paint (direct use) Exposure
x
Dust (sanding) Exposure
x
Ethylene Oxide Exposure: x
Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
x
Blood/Body Fluid Exposure: x
Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
x
Mist Exposure: x
Wax Stripper (direct use)
x
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure: x
Ionizing Radiation Exposure: x
Laser Exposure: x
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Never: Bending (Stooping)
x
Sitting: x
Walking: x
Climbing Stairs: x
Climbing Ladders: x
Standing: x
Kneeling: x
Squatting (Crouching)
x
Twisting/Turning: x
Keyboard/Computer Operation: x
Gross Grasp: x
Fine Finger Manipulation: x
Hand/Arm Coordination: x
Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)
x
Carry: x
Transfer/Push/Pull Patients: x
Seeing Near w/Acuity
x
Feeling (Sensation)
x
Color Vision: x
Hearing Clearly: x
Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead: x
Reaching Above Shoulder Level: x
Reaching Forward: Lifting Floor to Knuckle
15
Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle: 5
Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder
5
Lifting Shoulder to Overhead
5
Candidates must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program with a current Pennsylvania RN license and BLS certification. PALS and ACLS certifications are required within one year of hire, and a Bachelor's degree or critical care experience is preferred.
Market context
Pennsylvania nursing roles are typically in steady demand across hospitals, outpatient settings, and long-term care, especially for RNs with current state licensure and BLS certification. These positions are competitive because employers often prefer candidates with a BSN and recent medical-surgical experience, and this platform’s AI-summarized requirements and benefits help you review the original posting faster. Before applying, confirm your Pennsylvania RN license, BLS status, and whether your experience matches the unit’s preferred background.