Registered Nurse - PACU
“Haven of the adventurous, home of splendid panoramic scenery”

The Community - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs had an estimated population of 439,886 in 2013, ranking as the second most populous city in the state of Colorado, behind Denver, and the 41st most populous city in the United States. The Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area had an estimated population of 678,319 in 2013. The city covers 194.7 square miles (504 km2), making it the most extensive municipality in Colorado. Colorado Springs was selected as the No. 1 Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" by Money magazine in 2006, and placed number one in Outside's 2009 list of America's Best Cities.

United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)
The Academy is a world-class university designed to create strong leaders. Beyond academic excellence, the Academy emphasizes military training, athletics and character development to forge officers of character who are ready to lead our nation in the Air Force. Its campus is located north of Colorado Springs. The Academy is also one of the largest tourist attractions in Colorado, attracting more than a million visitors each year.

Requirements (duties include, but are not limited to)

• Coordinates and communicates with facility staff members to facilitate patient care.
• Collects, interprets, records, and communicates pertinent patient data relevant to the patient’s care before, during, and after surgery.
• Actively observes patients and takes appropriate action as indicated by problems.
• Accurately reviews and confirms completeness of patient chart and reports any abnormalities to appropriate staff in a timely manner.
• Correctly and thoroughly uses and adheres to established protocols in preparing patients for examination, specialized tests and surgery.
• Formulates nursing diagnosis based upon health status data by accurately interpreting assessment data and identifying patient problem/nursing diagnosis pertinent to surgical procedure.
• Establishes patient goals that are congruent with present and potential physical capabilities and behavioral patterns based on nursing diagnosis by developing outcome statements, criteria for measurement of goals and setting priorities for outcomes based on need.
• Develops a plan of care that prescribes nursing actions to achieve patient goals by establishing priorities for nursing actions.
• Ensures the appropriate equipment and supplies are available, based upon patient needs.
• Effectively takes appropriate action to prevent deterioration and alleviate discomfort in patients.
• Effectively sets up, operates, and monitors therapeutic and emergency equipment such as cardiac monitoring devices, EKG units, vital sign monitors, and oxygen saturation monitors.
• Monitors and controls the environment to include temperature sensory environment, and cleanliness.
• Effectively ensures patient procedures, treatments and medications are administered in accordance with (IAW) physician orders, sound nursing judgment and applicable guidelines.
• Accurately documents procedures, results of medications, untoward effects from medical/surgical procedures and unusual occurrences as appropriate in the patient’s medical record.
• Accurately administers medications orally, intramuscularly, sub-cutaneously, intravenously, topically, etc., including narcotics and prescribed intravenous therapy, and maintains awareness of the effects of the medications on patients.
• Accurately administers and exercises control over drugs and narcotics as required.
• Regularly ensures a safe, clean work environment is maintained for patients and staff. Exercises the standard precautions set forth by the CDC when providing direct patient care.
• Prepares accurate reports and statistics as required.
• Uses tact and diplomacy when interacting with all personnel/patients/family members.
• Effectively participates in planning care with other professional and nonprofessional personnel.
• Ensures that patients are adequately prepared for surgery, both physically and emotionally.
• Demonstrates awareness of the individual rights of the patient.
• Provides for patient privacy through maintaining confidentiality and physical protection of patient information.
• Conducts patient/family interview and completes preoperative documents, progress notes and teaching.
• Faxes prescriptions to pharmacy and enters lab and radiology orders and other functions in Composite HealthCare System (CHCS).
• Assists with orientation and training of other staff assigned to the ASU/PACU and Preop Clinic. Effectively orients and serves as a preceptor of newly assigned nurses to these areas.
• The contract nursing personnel are required to generate and maintain proper medical records on beneficiaries to whom treatment is provided in accordance with Air Force Instructions on Medical Record Administration. All records generated in the performance of the contract will remain the property of and subject to exclusive control of the Government.
• Ensure all equipment is properly cleaned and stored at the end of each work shift. Ensure preventive maintenance and routine cleaning are performed as directed.
• Ensure a safe work environment and employ safe work habits.
• Maintains a professional manner and displays a positive cooperative attitude towards patients and other MTF employees.
• Adheres to and enforces emergency, fire, safety, and infection control policies and procedures.
• Facilitates collaboration with all levels of health care management to include outside agencies. Performs utilization management activities to optimize cost, quality, and access to care. Adheres to medical group operating instructions (operating instructions provided during orientation).  Facilitates evidenced-based clinical practice.  Provides comprehensive professional nursing care to normal and high risk patients; documents actions.
• Utilizes available information management systems in daily practice for patient care and administrative duties.
• Ability to recognize adverse signs and symptoms and react quickly in emergency situations

Qualifications

• Must have successfully completed a BSN degree in Nursing from a National League of Nursing or from an American Academy College of Nursing accredited college or university.
• Must have and maintain a current, valid, full, and unrestricted license in any of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Must have and maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) as certified by the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Must have a minimum of two-years of Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)/Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/Emergency Room (ER) (medical or surgical) nursing experience within the last three years.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

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