Job Description

The Perianesthesia Registered Nurse is responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the pre- and post-anesthesia care environment for all patient populations.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Support the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Assess patient pre- and post-operative status at intervals according to facility policies and procedures including the patients:
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Respiratory system and airway management needs
  • Neurological system
  • Hemodynamic stability
  • Pain and comfort needs
  • Mental status
• Interpret information accurately from various noninvasive and invasive monitors.
• Understand the underlying pathophysiology of commonly encountered disease processes.
• Understand the physiology associated with various anesthesia techniques and surgical or procedural interventions.
• Apply the relevant scoring system/discharge criteria for patient transfer (eg, Aldrete Score).
• Collaborate with the physician and anesthesia personnel to develop an individualized perianesthesia plan of care.
• Implement the plan of care, including the following interventions:
  • Managing patient recovery from general, MAC, regional, procedural sedation, or local anesthesia
  • Protect the patient from injury caused by positioning, thermal sources, or other extraneous objects
  • Communicate the patient’s current status throughout the perianesthesia continuum of care
  • Provide acute pain and comfort management as needed
  • Administer medications correctly by implementing the 7-rights of safe medication practices (ie, right patient, right medication, right dose, right time, right route, right indication, right documentation)
  • Perform interventions to maintain the integrity of the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels
  • Perform interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels
  • Perform interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period
  • Perform interventions to protect the patient from infections
  • Manage the patient’s other co-morbid conditions as applicable
  • Manage the patient’s fluid as prescribed
  • Assess knowledge level of patient and/or designated support person and provide education regarding the expected response to operative or invasive procedure, nutritional management, medication management, pain and comfort management, and wound management
  • Involve the patient and/or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care
  • Protect the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy
  • Provide age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice
  • Provide consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting
• Evaluate the patient’s progress towards attaining desired outcomes.
• Transfer care as needed.
• Delegate appropriate tasks as needed.
• Document nursing care completely and accurately.
• Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as needed.
• Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects.
• Participate in the performance appraisal process.
• Use critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.
• Maintain required competencies.
• Pursue professional growth.
• Act as a patient advocate and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.

Education/Experience:

Required:

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
• Associate's degree in nursing
• Current Wisconsin Registered Nurse License
• BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification prior to performing independent duties

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Certification
• Two years pre- and post-anesthesia care experience

Benefits and Salary:

Comprehensive benefits package to include medical, HRA/HSA/FSA, dental, 403(b) with employer match of 5%, PTO, wellness benefits, etc.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.