Pre-op/PACU Registered Nurse
5 days ago
Bloomfield
Job description: A Pre-Op/PACU (Pre-Operative/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) Nurse specializing in ophthalmology, orthopedic, podiatry, pain management, and vascular procedures provides critical care to patients before and after surgery in these focused areas. This role involves preparing patients for specialized surgical interventions and monitoring their recovery from anesthesia in fast-paced ambulatory surgery center. The nurse ensures patient safety, comfort, and education while addressing unique considerations for each specialty. Shifts typically span 8-12 hours, often starting early (e.g., 6:00 AM) to align with surgical schedules. Key Responsibilities Pre-Operative Care: • Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, reviewing medical history, medications, allergies, lab results, and confirming informed consent and operative site specific to the procedure (e.g., correct eye for cataract surgery, limb for orthopedic/podiatry procedures)., • Perform pre-op tasks like checking vital signs, starting IVs, administering eye drops for ophthalmology cases, or pre-op analgesics for pain management procedures; ensure compliance with NPO (nothing by mouth) guidelines., • Educate patients and families on specialty-specific procedures (e.g., cataract surgery, joint replacement, epidural injections, or simple vascular procedures) and post-op expectations, such as activity restrictions or wound care., • Coordinate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialty teams to verify requirements like intraocular lens selection (ophthalmology), hardware placement (orthopedic/podiatry), or imaging for vascular procedures., • Monitor patients recovering from anesthesia (general, regional, local, or monitored anesthesia care) tailored to the specialty, assessing vital signs, pain, nausea, and consciousness levels., • Manage specialty-specific post-op complications, such as:, • Ophthalmology: Monitor for eye pain, vision changes, or intraocular pressure issues post-surgery/procedure., • Orthopedic: Assess for compartment syndrome, neurovascular status, or cast/splint issues after joint replacements or fracture repairs., • Podiatry: Check for foot/ankle swelling, nerve block effects, or infection risks post-bunionectomy or reconstructive surgery., • Pain Management: Evaluate pain relief efficacy and monitor for sedation or respiratory depression after epidural/spinal injections or nerve blocks., • Vascular: Watch for bleeding, or circulatory changes post-procedure., • Administer medications (e.g., antiemetics, analgesics, or eye drops) and intervene promptly for complications like respiratory distress or bleeding., • Document assessments, interventions, and patient responses in electronic health records; provide detailed handoff reports for discharge or unit transfer., • Advocate for patient rights and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including specialty surgeons and anesthesiologists, for seamless care., • Participate in unit tasks like narcotic counts, equipment checks (e.g., ophthalmology microscopes or orthopedic traction devices), and quality improvement., • Education and Certification:, • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN preferred)., • Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice., • Minimum 1-2 years in critical care, PACU, or operating room nursing; experience in ophthalmology, orthopedic, podiatry, pain, or vascular settings is highly desirable., • Knowledge of anesthesia effects, specialty-specific pharmacology (e.g., eye drops, anticoagulants), and emergency responses in high-acuity settings., • Strong assessment skills for detecting complications unique to each specialty (e.g., compartment syndrome in orthopedics, graft occlusion in vascular)., • Excellent communication and patient education skills, adapting to diverse needs (e.g., elderly ophthalmology patients or chronic pain patients)., • Proficiency in electronic medical records (SIS complete), IV therapy, and specialty equipment (e.g., slit lamps for eye exams). Pre-Op/PACU nurses in these specialties typically manage 1-4 patients at a time, depending on the phase (e.g., one patient in Phase I PACU). The role is rewarding due to direct patient impact but demanding due to the precision required for specialty procedures and unpredictable complications.