Overview

SCU (Surgical Care Unit) RN is responsible for the preoperative preparation and recovering of all surgical patients. Responsible to act as an integral team member and keep patients moving through the unit in a safe, efficient, and timely manner. Able to apply critical thinking skills throughput the surgical continuum for each patient under their care. Skilled in post anesthesia recovery care of patient undergoing various types of procedures with different combinations of anesthesia.

Responsibilities

Opening and closing unit- turn lights on in Waiting Room, unlock front door, remove keys from Pyxis to unlock cabinets, prints daily schedule, gets charts out of cabinet and puts them in order. Checks each patient bay- Suction, airways, ambu bag, O2 tank. Performs QC glucometer. Assigns rooms for patient arrival. Prints H&P 's, orders labs and EKGs where appropriate. Proactively directs the patient plan of care from admission to discharge.

Admits and assesses each patient in a timely manner. Follows hospital policies and procedures for patient and procedure verification including all necessary preoperative checks prior to patient going into surgery. Charts allergies and fall risk. Draws labs prn, starts IV prn, notes required documentation on chart and verifies accuracy and timeliness. Gives pre-op meds as ordered. Notes Physician's Orders. Records all medications given on the electronic health record. Provides comfort measures as needed. Safely logs patient belongings and whereabouts.

Maintains good communication with patient and family, communicating wait times, delays, etc. Provides education to patients and family both pre-operatively and upon discharge in a manner that its easily understood. Ensures that case management referrals, if any, are completed prior to discharge. Works with Case Management and Social Services as necessary. Calls in prescriptions prn.Provides safe recovery from anesthesia and documents the recovery process. Demonstrates excellent patient assessment skills to initiate immediate post op plan of care. Notifies Anesthesia and the Surgeon of any untoward events during the recovery phase. Uses the Chain of Command as appropriate. Continually monitors patient condition. Asks for help when needed. Documents full assessment of patient according to procedure performed.

Promotes a safe environment of care and culture of safety. Demonstrates an active commitment to continuous quality and performance improvement as well as own professional development. Participates in staff meetings and brings best practices to the unit for consideration.

Participates in postop calls and communicates when follow-up is needed with Perioperative Coordinator SCU. Communicates patient and family concerns to Periop Coordinator SCU as needed

Qualifications

Education: Registered Nursing degree, BSN preferredExperience: 2 years experience in an acute Unit, 1 year critical care experience, preferably PACU relatedLicenses & Certifications: RN License, ACLS, BLS, PALSRequired Skills & Knowledge: Strong organization, problem solving skills. Ability to manage priorities and workflow. Willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm and good will towards other team members. Computer literate. Effective communication skills.