Registered Nurse Pacu

An RN at St. Michael's Hospital, who works in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit, works within a changing environment and in inter-professional team who advocates for and promotes wellness while ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and ethical nursing care. The PACU at SMH cares for all day surgery and admitted post-operative patients. It is a large unit which is comprised of 2 units which allows the RN to share his/her knowledge and expertise with others and contribute to the advancement of nursing practice excellence. The RN continually enhances his/her practice and competencies through ongoing learning, education, experience and reflective practice.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Being accountable for one´s decisions and professional practice;
• Establishing a therapeutic relationship with the patient;
• Collaborating with other members of the patient´s care team; and,
• Coordinating and communicating patient care activities.

The RN has 4 key areas of responsibility:

• Acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs
• Develops a plan of care and integrates nursing activities with other inter-professional activities
• Engages in critical inquiry and reflection to select evidence-based interventions
• Organizes nursing care and assigns or changes nursing care activities where appropriate
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed
• Anticipates, recognizes and addresses rapidly changing situations
• Provides health education to patients and their families using effective teaching strategies
• Documents observations, assessments and care provision
• Contributes to discharge and transition planning
• Refers patient to other agencies or services as needed

Collaboration & Coordination

• Serves as the primary resource for organizing and coordinating patient care activities
• Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships
• Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transition and appropriate transfer of accountability
• Participates in hospital committees and other groups

Leadership

• Aligns behavior with SMH¿s vision, mission and values and Code of Conduct
• Supports the advancement of professional practice
• Utilizes effective judgment in assigning patient care activities
• Engages in self-reflection, performance review and ongoing learning
• Participates in mentoring, teaching and /or coaching students, co-workers and other regulated and unregulated health professionals
• Embraces change that leads to improved nursing practice and better patient outcomes
• Advocates for a safe and healthy work environment

Research

• Participates in or supports research projects
• Supports and participates in evidence based practice implementation and quality improvement initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have current General Class (Practicing) Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Must have current BLS and ALS certificates
• Must have completed the Critical Care Course from a recognized institution and have current PACU/ICU experience (minimum of 1 year) or have completed the Emergency Nursing Course from a recognized institution and have current ED/ICU experience (minimum of 2 years)
• Perianesthesia nursing certificate or perianesthesia course an asset
• Experience in assisting with regional anesthesia an asset
• Demonstrated evidence of current experience and competence in venipuncture
• Ability to work collaboratively with other professions/disciplines in a team environment
• Ability to work in a highly technological and fast-paced environment
• Proven planning, time management, organization and coordination skills
• Demonstrated ability to utilize technology to enhance evidence based knowledge and practice.
• Demonstrated evidence of excellent problem-solving, organizational, communication and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collaborative relationships with all relevant disciplines
• Provides high quality, evidence-based care to post-operative patients, including critically ill patients, while working as an effective member of the nursing team in PACU.
• Ensures the maintenance of high standards of patient care in response to service needs in PACU
• Participates in continuing educational activities

• Communicates with patients using a structured approach that results in the patient and family being informed and acts as a patient advocate

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