REGISTERED NURSE- TR/PRN

The Registered Nurse (RN) in the Pre/Post Procedural Unit is responsible for prepping, recovering, and providing patient care in a multi-procedural setting. This role includes preparing patients for their procedures, monitoring them throughout their recovery, and ensuring a safe transition to discharge or further care. The RN collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality care, utilizing clinical knowledge to support complex procedural patients in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Duties

Patient Assessment, Monitoring, and Care Planning:

• Perform comprehensive initial and ongoing assessments of patients post-procedure, monitoring vital signs, level of consciousness, pain levels, and overall recovery progress.
• Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition, implementing interventions as needed, and escalate care to the appropriate medical providers when necessary.
• Develop and implement individualized care plans based on the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the patient in collaboration with the healthcare team.

Post-Procedural Care and Treatment Administration:

• Administer prescribed medications, treatments, and procedures, including IV medications, pain management, and sedation reversal as appropriate.
• Provide wound care and ensure all surgical sites are properly monitored for signs of infection or complications.
• Continuously monitor patients responses to treatments and adjust care plans as necessary to ensure optimal outcomes.

Patient Education and Support:

• Educate patients and families on post-procedural care, medications, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments.
• Provide compassionate support and clear instructions to ease patient and family anxiety, promoting a smooth recovery process.
• Offer resources and guidance for managing health and recovery post-discharge.

Collaboration and Coordination of Care:

• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, and other members of the healthcare team to create and implement patient care plans.
• Assist in coordinating patient transfers to other units or facilitate discharge planning as necessary, ensuring continuity of care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient progress and treatment adjustments.
• Must be available when needed for on-call shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Accurately document patient assessments, interventions, medication administration, and updates to care plans in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and hospital documentation standards, maintaining thorough and detailed patient records.

Patient and Employee Experience:

• Engage with patients and families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns empathetically to create a positive and supportive environment.
• Contribute to a positive work environment by offering constructive feedback, providing assistance to peers, and fostering open communication and teamwork.

Emergency Response and Infection Control:

• Respond quickly and effectively to medical emergencies, performing life-saving procedures and stabilizing patients as required.
• Adhere to infection control protocols to ensure a safe and clean environment for patients and staff, implementing standard precautions and safety measures to prevent infection spread.

Non-essential Duties

• Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate and detailed patient records, including documentation of care plans, interventions, and patient progress.
• Professional Development: Participate in ongoing education and training to stay current with best practices and advancements in nursing care.
• Team Collaboration: Engage in team meetings and contribute to the continuous improvement of care delivery processes.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience on surgical unit and telemetry experience desirable

Required Licensure/Education

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Illinois.
• CPR
• *New Graduate RNs starting on or after 1/1/25 must earn Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 3 years of start date. 

Preferred Education

• ACLS & PALS certification within 6 months of hire 
• Membership in ILSPAN and ASPAN professional organizations encouraged
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree preferred*

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Disinfectants, refer to MSDS
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Potential for exposure with each surgical procedure. Universal precautions followed on all procedures greatly reducing the risk to the personnel. 
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Extreme potential for exposure with each surgical procedure. Universal precautions followed on all procedures greatly reducing the risk to the personnel.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patients/families/staff/physicians. 
• Vision: Required to read monitors, medication labels, doctor order sheets. 
• Smell: Helpful for electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Necessary for phone/intercom/doorbell, alarms, fire alarms. 
• Touch: Necessary for writing, patient care.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required 

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25'-150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15  
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1 
• Bend: 15 
• Reach above shoulders: 2 

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. 
• Normal weight:< 5#
• Pushing &pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, omnicell, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IV's.

Leg Strength - Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally- Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.

Environmental Factors &Special Hazards:

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 8-10
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Fumes
• Special Hazards: Electrical, Chemical - cleaning disinfectants, compressed air tanks, O2
• Protective Clothing Required: OR scrubs supplied, gowns, gloves, masks, shoe covers, goggles, lab coats.