REGISTERED NURSE- RECOVERY ROOM (PT Days)

The Registered Nurse (RN) in Recovery Room at Riverside Healthcare is responsible for delivering safe, efficient, and compassionate care to surgical patients. The Recovery Room RN will provide exceptional care to patients recovering from surgical procedures, monitoring their vital signs, managing post-operative pain, and ensuring a safe and comfortable recovery environment. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical and interpersonal skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a commitment to excellence in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Additionally, this position requires flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Patient Assessment and Care: Conduct thorough assessments upon patient arrival in the recovery room, analyzing data to determine nursing diagnoses, monitor vital signs, and identify any complications or concerns. Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition, implementing interventions as needed, and escalate care to the appropriate medical providers when necessary.
• Postoperative Care: Provide immediate postoperative care, including monitoring consciousness levels, managing pain, and administering medications as prescribed. Develop and implement individualized care plans based on patient needs.
• Communication and Advocacy: Effectively communicate with patients and their families about recovery processes and post-operative care instructions. Serve as a patient advocate, ensuring comfort and addressing concerns throughout the recovery process.
• Monitoring and Documentation: Continuously monitor patients vital signs and conditions, documenting all observations accurately and promptly in compliance with hospital policies.
• Collaboration and Coordination: Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care and address any complications or needs that arise during recovery. Coordinate care delivery through interdisciplinary teamwork and critical thinking.
• Patient Experience: Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• Employee Experience: Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Offer constructive feedback and assistance to peers, and engage in open communication to promote a culture of mutual respect and teamwork.
• Emergency Response: Respond to medical emergencies with quick and effective intervention, including performing life-saving procedures and stabilizing patients as needed.
• Infection Control: Adhere to infection control protocols and ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and staff. Implement standard precautions and safety measures to prevent the spread of infections.

Preferred Experience

• Membership in ILSPAN and ASPAN professional organizations encouraged

Required Licensure/Education

• Current Illinois Registered Nurse (RN) license or eligibility for licensure in Illinois
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification and PALS certification within 6 months of hire
• *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

• Bachelors degree in Nursing (BSN)*
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

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: <5lbs 
• 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
• 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