REGISTERED NURSE-PROCEDURAL CARE (FT-NIGHTS)

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.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so your journey at and away from work is remarkable.  Our Total Rewards package includes:

Compensation

• Base compensation within the position’s pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program