Summary:

The competent Nurse, in the same or similar clinical setting, practices independently and demonstrates an awareness of all relevant aspects of a situation. Provides routine and complex care, with the ability to on long-range goals or plans. Continues to develop the ability to cope with and manage contingencies of clinical nursing. Makes appropriate assignments and delegates to other care providers as a means to help manage the clinical situation.

The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at CHRISTUS Surgical Hospital is a critical department that provides exceptional care to patients recovering from surgical procedures. Our PACU has 28 bays and is equipped to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Our facility has 33 beds, 11 Operating Rooms, 2 Endoscopy Procedure rooms, and 3 Isolation Rooms. Our PACU team consists of highly trained nurses, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to delivering compassionate care and ensuring patient safety. We provide care for patients who have undergone a range of surgical procedures, with our primary focus being orthopedic surgeries, particularly hip and knee replacement surgeries using the exclusive and less invasive MAKOplasty procedure. We also care for patients undergoing general, ENT, eye, podiatry, dental, plastics, bariatric, and GYN surgeries.

Responsibilities:

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• Consistent with the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice, provides nursing care utilizing the nursing process, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation for assigned patients.
• Addresses increasingly complex psychological, emotional, cultural, and social needs of patient and families in accordance with their level of practice.
• Using the appropriate protocol, administers medications and treatments; monitors for side-effects and effectiveness of the treatment prescribed.
• Documents patient history, symptoms, medication, and care given.
• Assess learning needs and provides education to patients, family members and/or care givers; identify issues and resources. 

Job Requirements:

Education/Skills

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, preferred

Experience

• 1 year of experience in the related nursing specialty preferred

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• BLS required
• RN License in state of employment or compact

Position Requirements:

Education/Skills

• All newly hired experienced RNs must attend New Nurses Orientation within the first 30 days of hire.
• New hires are precepted by a designated trained staff member and initial on-boarding requirements are validated through successful completion of the designated organizational entry competency validation and a Perioperative Department-specific competency validation.
• Completion of all annual competency verification requirements.

Experience

• Perioperative RN Residency, or recently practicing in an OR/Perioperative Setting preferred.

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Current ACLS certification required
• Current PALS or ENPC certification required

In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.

Credential Grace Periods: 

If additional credentials are required per the Position Requirements section, a grace period to obtain the certification will apply, dependent on your experience level. 

• Any Candidate/Associate with at least one year of acute care clinical experience in a similar service line within the past three years is considered an  Experienced Associate.
• Any Candidate/Associate who does not have at least one year of full-time acute care clinical experience in the same service line within the past three years is considered an  Experienced Associate New to the Specialty. 

Work Schedule:

Varies

Work Type:

Full Time