DeKalb Health
RN, Observation Unit (Healthcare)
JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the extended recovery unit and other areas of perioperative services, as qualified by training and competencies, for designated patient populations. This role will require overnight shifts when surgery cases necessitate extended patient care.
JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Supports the organization's mission, vision, and values. Assesses and monitors patients' extended recovery status, including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and pain management needs, according to facility policies. Interprets information from various noninvasive monitors and understands the pathophysiology of common disease processes. Develops and implements individualized extended recovery plans of care, managing patients recovering from all types of anesthesia and outpatient surgery procedures. Administers medications correctly, following safe medication practices, and manages patients' fluid and pain as prescribed. Maintains patient safety by protecting from injury, infection, and maintaining optimal physiological status across all body systems. Provides age-specific, culturally competent, and ethical care within legal standards of practice, protecting patient rights, dignity, and privacy. Assesses knowledge level of patients or designated support persons and provides education on post‑operative care, including psychosocial responses, nutrition, medication, pain management, and wound care. Evaluates patient progress toward attaining outcomes and transfers care as needed. Documents nursing care completely, accurately, and timely, using electronic medical records proficiently. Collaborates effectively with other disciplines and delegates tasks according to state regulations and job descriptions. Participates in quality review, performance improvement projects, and the performance appraisal process. Maintains required competencies, including BLS and ACLS certifications, and pursues professional growth. Uses critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to foster effective work relationships and resolve conflicts. Acts as a patient advocate and maintains privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS This position will require additional hours outside the normal 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday work schedule.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY N/A
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE and REGISTRATION
Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
Associates degree or equivalent from two‑year college program or technical school or nursing diploma.
Bachelors degree, preferred
Current registered nurse licensure in Arkansas
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or Certified Ambulatory Peri‑anesthesia Nurse (CAPA) certification, preferred
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Minimum two years recent Med/Surg nursing experience, preferred
Post anesthesia care or extended recovery care unit, preferred
Excellent computer and other basic office equipment skills
Proficiency in documentation using an electronic medical record
Expertise in IV therapy skills
REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form. Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to work overnight shifts and maintain alertness during extended hours when required. Physically demanding, high‑stress environment. Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals and other hazardous materials, radiation, and repetitive motions. Pushing and pulling heavy objects. Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients. Manual and finger dexterity. Hand and eye coordination. Standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds. Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range. Working under stressful conditions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Colleagues are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.
COMMENTS This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
SAFETY SENSITIVE This position is a Safety Sensitive Position. The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the employee maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.
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JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Supports the organization's mission, vision, and values. Assesses and monitors patients' extended recovery status, including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and pain management needs, according to facility policies. Interprets information from various noninvasive monitors and understands the pathophysiology of common disease processes. Develops and implements individualized extended recovery plans of care, managing patients recovering from all types of anesthesia and outpatient surgery procedures. Administers medications correctly, following safe medication practices, and manages patients' fluid and pain as prescribed. Maintains patient safety by protecting from injury, infection, and maintaining optimal physiological status across all body systems. Provides age-specific, culturally competent, and ethical care within legal standards of practice, protecting patient rights, dignity, and privacy. Assesses knowledge level of patients or designated support persons and provides education on post‑operative care, including psychosocial responses, nutrition, medication, pain management, and wound care. Evaluates patient progress toward attaining outcomes and transfers care as needed. Documents nursing care completely, accurately, and timely, using electronic medical records proficiently. Collaborates effectively with other disciplines and delegates tasks according to state regulations and job descriptions. Participates in quality review, performance improvement projects, and the performance appraisal process. Maintains required competencies, including BLS and ACLS certifications, and pursues professional growth. Uses critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to foster effective work relationships and resolve conflicts. Acts as a patient advocate and maintains privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS This position will require additional hours outside the normal 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday work schedule.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY N/A
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE and REGISTRATION
Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
Associates degree or equivalent from two‑year college program or technical school or nursing diploma.
Bachelors degree, preferred
Current registered nurse licensure in Arkansas
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or Certified Ambulatory Peri‑anesthesia Nurse (CAPA) certification, preferred
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Minimum two years recent Med/Surg nursing experience, preferred
Post anesthesia care or extended recovery care unit, preferred
Excellent computer and other basic office equipment skills
Proficiency in documentation using an electronic medical record
Expertise in IV therapy skills
REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form. Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to work overnight shifts and maintain alertness during extended hours when required. Physically demanding, high‑stress environment. Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals and other hazardous materials, radiation, and repetitive motions. Pushing and pulling heavy objects. Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients. Manual and finger dexterity. Hand and eye coordination. Standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds. Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range. Working under stressful conditions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Colleagues are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.
COMMENTS This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
SAFETY SENSITIVE This position is a Safety Sensitive Position. The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the employee maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.
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