Overview:

Under direct supervision of nursing and other colleagues, a variety of tasks and duties will be performed to assist in providing adequate and proper support services to optimize function within the PACU.  Duties are performed in accordance with established department policies, standard aseptic practices, and special instruction from Peri-Op Leaders and nursing professionals.

Qualifications:

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

Current CPR certification must be accomplished within 30 days of employment.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge and clinical skills to perform basic techniques acquired through training or experience; successfully completed Transport Training

Ability to follow written and verbal directions.

Responsibilities:

1.

Provides for patient safety, comfort, and privacy.

a.    Assists in the transportation of patients to and from the PACU.

b.    Identifies patient properly by armband and verbal confirmation.

c.    Identifies self to patient and/or family.  Is polite and informs family of location of appropriate waiting area when applicable.

d.    Uses good body mechanics to transfer the patient safely, maintaining body alignment with undue exposure, and seeks help if necessary.

e.    Raises the side rails.

f.     Reports significant observations of patient to appropriate personnel.

g.    Provides safe transportation of patients to pre-anesthesia holding area & to designated departments/units post-operatively.

h.    Checks on patient comfort and provides reassurance to patient within level of responsibility.  (Gives patient the call light, checks with patient regarding need for bedpans, urinals, blankets, etc., before leaving them in holding area.) Assists with ambulation and toileting of patient as appropriate.

i.     Assist all colleagues with transfer of patients from one bed or stretcher to another and in post-op transportation of patients to their units as needed.

j.     Assists nursing staff with turning of patient and linen changes as needed.

k.    Assists with making sure appropriate signage is displayed outside the pre-op/post-op rooms (Isolation, dirty, etc.) 

l.     Uses good handwashing techniques after each patient contact.

m.  Recognizes cardiac/respiratory arrest and takes appropriate action.

n.    Keeps patient information confidential.

2.

Contributes to the smooth, efficient functioning of the department.

a.    Delivers and picks up blood products, supplies, etc., to and from proper departments. (Delivers to appropriate locations as needed).

b.    Puts away unused supplies, equipment, etc. after cases.

c.    Answers STAT requests for transport of patients, equipment and supplies.

d.    Assists in the orientation of new employees as necessary.

e.    Understands hospital disaster plans.

f.     Assumes other responsibilities as assigned.

g.    Willingly assists co-workers, as needed.

h.    Understands and follows hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and behavioral expectations.

i.     Attends 65 percent or a minimum of six unit staff meetings per year, whichever number is greater.  Seeks excused absences from supervisor when needed.

j.     Current CPR certification (CPR education and exam mandatory in the presence of physical limitations impeding CPR certification) Required demonstration of skills to optimal level of ability.

k.    Attends mandatory inservices.

3.

Performs cleaning activities to meet the standards of care established in the procedures and practices of the department.

a.  Provides assistance with daily set up and restocking of the Pre-op, PACU Bays as needed.

b.  Washes all furniture and equipment which had direct contact with the patient or has visible soilage.

c.  Spot cleans walls and floor and mops floor immediately surrounding if needed.

d.  Disposes of linen and trash transporting to designated area.

e.    Provides assistance with cleaning of pre-op and PACU Bays, wires, cords and other equipment as needed.

f.   Replaces all necessary supplies in the room for the next Patient (i.e., trash bags, linen bag, suction liners, and tubing).

g.  Cleans and straightens utility and storerooms.

h.  Cleans and restocks restrooms.

i.   Cleans and makes stretchers.

j.   Wears gloves when cleaning.

k.  Washes hands after cleaning.

l.   Wipes up fluid spills immediately.

m. Keeps janitor closets clean and neat.

n.    Follows Standard Precautions guidelines.



4.

Performs other related work as required or requested.