U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Registered Nurse-Post Anesthesia Care Unit-NTE 2 Years
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, El Paso, Texas, us, 88568
This position will serve as part of the El Paso VAHCS and William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) Surgical Expansion pilot to expand WBAMC surgical services to VA beneficiaries to include increased capabilities in Orthopedic, General Surgery, and Neurosurgery clinics and operative procedures. Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.
Duties
The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse (RN) provides specialized care in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care throughout the peri anesthesia continuum to include the Pre anesthesia Phase, Post anesthesia Phase I, Post anesthesia Phase II, and extended care from sedation/analgesia and/or anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures. The PACU RN possesses knowledge related to the physiology associated with various anesthesia techniques and surgical interventions. The PACU RN assesses and prepares patients for procedures appropriately. Performs clinical assessment of the patient and readily recognizes contraindication for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention. The PACU RN applies the appropriate post sedation scoring and assesses the patient's postoperative status to include cardiovascular and respiratory systems and airway management needs, neurological system, hemodynamic stability, pain, and comfort needs and mental status, implementing appropriate interventions to maintain or return all physiological system to baseline or above.
Performs recovery duties for patients recovering from a wide variety of routine to highly complex surgical procedures. Independently determines and develops post anesthesia care requirements based upon written protocols, nursing staff skill mix, post anesthesia recovery score (PARS), ASA categories. Administers and monitors the use of therapeutic agents (medications) in accordance with the Department of Nursing and unit operating instructions, the American Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). Uses sophisticated, specialized and highly complex patient care equipment to include ventilators, cardiac monitors, infusion pumps for emergent medications, and epidural pumps during the nursing care and management of the post‑operative patient.
Provides care pre, during and post‑procedure patients. Monitors post‑operative patient's condition based upon the method of anesthesia provided (i.e. general, regional, local and/or sedation analgesia); for complications and/or adverse reactions such as laryngospasm, pulmonary edema, hypoventilation, hypoxia, aspiration pneumonitis, nausea/vomiting, acute pain, hypo/hyperthermia, etc. and takes immediate counteractions as required to restore condition. Assesses spinal anesthesia level of patients receiving regional anesthesia.
Assists health care providers with examinations and procedures. Prepares and administers oral, subcutaneous, intra‑muscular and intravenous medications. Reviews records/reports, interpreting signs and symptoms of patients' changing status and takes corrective action. Facilitates obtaining timely lab tests, X‑rays, and Electrocardiograms (EKGs) as needed. Administers oxygen, Intravenous (IV) fluid, blood transfusion and ordered oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravascular medications, including potent narcotics. Assesses post‑procedure patients prior to their release.
Identifies life‑threatening changes to the patient's condition; institutes required emergency measures, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and/or Advanced Cardiac Life Support measures as needed. Sets up, operates and monitors specialized medical equipment such as cardiac monitors, defibrillators, suction devices, pulse oximeter, etc. Advises physicians of actions taken and ensures proper documentation of nursing care provided on standardized nursing forms.
Counsels patients, family members and/or caregivers regarding information on possible reactions to medications, health maintenance and illness prevention, addressing concerns, or questions that the patient may have.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Benefits
Pay : Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off : 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401k with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance : Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure : 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
Work Schedule : M–F 0830–1700 and M–F 1200–2030
Telework : Not Available
Virtual : This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized
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Duties
The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse (RN) provides specialized care in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care throughout the peri anesthesia continuum to include the Pre anesthesia Phase, Post anesthesia Phase I, Post anesthesia Phase II, and extended care from sedation/analgesia and/or anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures. The PACU RN possesses knowledge related to the physiology associated with various anesthesia techniques and surgical interventions. The PACU RN assesses and prepares patients for procedures appropriately. Performs clinical assessment of the patient and readily recognizes contraindication for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention. The PACU RN applies the appropriate post sedation scoring and assesses the patient's postoperative status to include cardiovascular and respiratory systems and airway management needs, neurological system, hemodynamic stability, pain, and comfort needs and mental status, implementing appropriate interventions to maintain or return all physiological system to baseline or above.
Performs recovery duties for patients recovering from a wide variety of routine to highly complex surgical procedures. Independently determines and develops post anesthesia care requirements based upon written protocols, nursing staff skill mix, post anesthesia recovery score (PARS), ASA categories. Administers and monitors the use of therapeutic agents (medications) in accordance with the Department of Nursing and unit operating instructions, the American Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). Uses sophisticated, specialized and highly complex patient care equipment to include ventilators, cardiac monitors, infusion pumps for emergent medications, and epidural pumps during the nursing care and management of the post‑operative patient.
Provides care pre, during and post‑procedure patients. Monitors post‑operative patient's condition based upon the method of anesthesia provided (i.e. general, regional, local and/or sedation analgesia); for complications and/or adverse reactions such as laryngospasm, pulmonary edema, hypoventilation, hypoxia, aspiration pneumonitis, nausea/vomiting, acute pain, hypo/hyperthermia, etc. and takes immediate counteractions as required to restore condition. Assesses spinal anesthesia level of patients receiving regional anesthesia.
Assists health care providers with examinations and procedures. Prepares and administers oral, subcutaneous, intra‑muscular and intravenous medications. Reviews records/reports, interpreting signs and symptoms of patients' changing status and takes corrective action. Facilitates obtaining timely lab tests, X‑rays, and Electrocardiograms (EKGs) as needed. Administers oxygen, Intravenous (IV) fluid, blood transfusion and ordered oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravascular medications, including potent narcotics. Assesses post‑procedure patients prior to their release.
Identifies life‑threatening changes to the patient's condition; institutes required emergency measures, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and/or Advanced Cardiac Life Support measures as needed. Sets up, operates and monitors specialized medical equipment such as cardiac monitors, defibrillators, suction devices, pulse oximeter, etc. Advises physicians of actions taken and ensures proper documentation of nursing care provided on standardized nursing forms.
Counsels patients, family members and/or caregivers regarding information on possible reactions to medications, health maintenance and illness prevention, addressing concerns, or questions that the patient may have.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Benefits
Pay : Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off : 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401k with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance : Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure : 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
Work Schedule : M–F 0830–1700 and M–F 1200–2030
Telework : Not Available
Virtual : This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized
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