PRE-OPERATIVE DUTIES

• Manage patients’ admission processes to preoperative department in a hospital
• Assess the status of patients’ health in pre-op and ensure accuracy of identification wristband
• Ensure that operative and informed consents are in order
• Determine the surgeon and procedure being carried out
• Take and record vital statistics of patients to ensure readiness for surgical procedure
• Initiate IVs and ensure that patients are informed about the procedure and attending medical staff

POST-OPERATIVE DUTIES

• Assess patients’ condition after a surgery has been performed
• Ensure that all vitals are within normal range
• Log all findings in patients’ files
• Answer patients’ questions and ensure that they are kept comfortable
• Make sure that all relevant IVs are in check
• Develop individualized care plans based on each individual patient’s condition
• Ensure that the all nursing activities are carried out in accordance to individual patient care plan
• Monitor patients for condition changes and report any changes to the doctor
• Initiate patient education programs to ensure that both patients and families are educated on procedures and medications
• Determine when patients are ready to be moved to their rooms
• Perform intervention duties in cases of post-operative emergencies
• Record sedation levels and body temperature
• Manage blood and fluid transfusions and draw specimens
• Ensure that the post-operative space is clean and sanitized
• Change bandages and dress surgical wounds

Required Skills

• Must be a Registered Nurse with an unrestricted license in the state of Texas
• Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Must have at least 2-5 years' previous experience in PreOP/PACU
• Previous experience in an ambulatory surgical center strongly preferred
• Must have current BLS, ALS and PALS
• Must possess a strong knowledge of surgical procedures and management of the surgical patient
• Understanding of aseptic techniques and their implementation
• Ability to care for patients from infancy to geriatric
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing condition of the patient when needed
• Must be an excellent team player and have the ability to communicate with staff, patients and physicians

Required Experience