Registered Nurse (Ambulatory Surgery - SDS/PACU)

Quick Facts

• Role: Registered Nurse (Ambulatory Surgery - SDS/PACU), intermittent

Description

The Ambulatory Surgery RN provides pre-operative/procedural care and post-operative recovery monitoring in SDS/PACU for ambulatory surgery patients. Duties include nursing assessment, consent and H&P validation, initiating IV fluids, assisting with peripheral nerve blocks, confirming pre-op labs/testing, ensuring surgical site preparation/marking, and administering medications as ordered. The role also includes pre-op patient/family teaching, monitoring level of consciousness after anesthesia/sedation, observing for residual anesthesia medication side effects, and comprehensive timely accurate documentation in the electronic health record.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or supervise direct patient care using the nursing process (assess, plan, implement, evaluate) using age-specific components

• Coordinate care with a focus on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction

• Administer medications and procedures per policies and guidelines

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes

• Provide clear, concise preoperative teaching and review discharge instructions with patients and families (written and verbal)

• Monitor post-operative level of consciousness after anesthesia/sedation

• Observe for side effects of residual anesthesia medications

• Maintain current knowledge of ASPAN standards, VHA directive, and service-level SOPs

• Ensure comprehensive documentation of all phases of care in the electronic health record

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or limited non-citizen appointment conditions

• English language proficiency (basic written and spoken) for direct patient care

• Graduate of a professional nursing program approved by ACEN or CCNE (or meet VA acceptable alternatives)

• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN licensure in a U.S. state/territory/DC (GNT temporary option if not yet licensed)

• Selective Service registration (for eligible males)

• Background/security investigation

• Complete online onboarding and pre-employment physical evaluation

• Required drug testing/urinalysis if in a testing designated position

• Seasonal influenza vaccination requirement for VA Health Care Personnel

• Ability to meet any probationary period and other required documents

• Meet VA qualification standard grade determination based on education and (as applicable) specialized nursing experience

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards

• Paid Time Off: not eligible for benefits in this position

• Retirement: not eligible for benefits in this position

• Insurance: not eligible for benefits in this position

• Federal benefits eligibility depends on position type; contact hiring agency for specifics