RN PACU (Full Time, 36 Hours), West Penn Hospital

Company: Allegheny Health Network

Job Description

This position also has call time per department guidelines. Nurses must be able to arrive at hospital within 30 minutes of call. PROCEDURAL: West Penn Hospital’s procedural area has a wide variety of specialties from robotics, general surgery, bariatrics, women’s health and oncology. The PACU nurse will be responsible for the recovery phase for patients post-operatively, managing interpretation of cardiac rhythms, weaning of medications for blood pressure, pain management, along with assessment of airways, breathing, and surgical drains (if applicable). The nurse will collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia, and other units/departments to coordinate safe transition of care for the patients. WEST PENN HOSPITAL: West Penn Hospital has four-time Magnet® recognition, private patient rooms, free employee parking and a generous benefit package (for full-time and part-time status employees). They are nationally recognized for their burn care, and the only pediatric burn center in western Pennsylvania to be verified by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons. They are also ranked in the nation's top-50 hospitals for OB-GYN care by the US News and World Report. ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK: At AHN, employees trust working together and place patients at the center of all they do. This 9 Hospital system, a part of Highmark Health, is transforming the future of healthcare by providing highly effective services to customers, patients and communities. AHN has commitment and dedication to being inclusive, valuing fresh perspectives, and offering the best growth and educational opportunities to employees. GENERAL OVERVIEW: The Registered Nurse assesses human responses and plans, implements and evaluates nursing care for individuals or families for whom the nurse is responsible. The Registered Nurse is fully responsible for all actions as a licensed nurse and is accountable to patients for the quality of care delivered. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The registered nurse provides leadership in a professional practice setting. Team player who contributes to building the team by helping others succeed through role modeling and mentoring. Assigns or delegates tasks based on the needs of the patient and skill level of the RN, LPN or support staff. Assigns duties and lunches for staff when performing charge role. Considers maintenance of a safe environment, patient condition, complexity of the intervention and predictability of the outcome. Provides peers with both verbal and written feedback regarding clinical practice and role performance. Shares knowledge and skills with peers and colleagues. Willingly accepts mistakes of self and others, creating a culture in which risk taking is not only safe but expected. Participates on interdisciplinary team to evaluate clinical care or health services. Promotes patient safety initiatives (ex: National Patient Safety Goals). Participates in department specific quality initiatives ( ex: EBP population specific). Assures appropriate order sets are used. Supervises delegates and evaluates assigned LPN scope of practice as appropriate. Utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, evaluate and implement a patient plan of care according to the individual needs of the patient as prescribed by physician, nurse and hospital policy including patient and family. Derives culturally and age appropriate expected outcomes involving the patient, family and other health care providers. Analyzes the health status of the individuals and families comparing the data with the norm, when possible, to determine patient care needs. Assesses patient reports/records change of condition and notifies physician and/or supervisor and intervenes appropriately and documents accordingly. Accepts assignments in areas other than primary unit, and performs duties within individualized competency. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous lifelong learning for self and others. Promotes advancement of the profession through participation in professional organizations. Seeks both formal and independent learning activities using current research findings and other evidence to maintain and develop clinical and professional skills and knowledge. Participates in systematic peer review and obtains informal feedback regarding one’s own practice from patients, peers, professional colleagues and others. Identifies areas of strength, as well as, areas in which professional development would be beneficial. Meets time and attendance guidelines per hospital policy. Continuously evaluates and assesses patient and family satisfaction. Participates I department specific patient satisfaction initiatives. Promotes compassionate communication that is patient and family centered. Assesses for and attempts to resolve patient/family concerns. Utilizes effective time management skills to complete assigned duties and responsibilities within established work shift.