Registered Nurse - PACU

About us:

The Hospital at Westlake Medical Center not only provides traditional quality hospital care but also offers services ranging from high-tech diagnostic procedures to inpatient physical therapy and urgent care for emergencies related to trauma or illness.  

We also recognize our role as a resource for information and education regarding medicine and healthcare to patients, staff, physicians and the community. Through our commitment to and involvement in Austin, The Hospital at Westlake Medical Center will continue to be an active and responsible healthcare leader.

Job Summary: Full Time

Oversees the PACU department patients.

Provides direct patient care from adult through geriatric patient populations in Pre-op/PACU.

What you will do (Roles and Responsibilities):

• Assesses, interviews, educates and documents patients pre-operatively.
• Starts intravenous line, draws blood for standard labs as ordered. Verifies or witnesses signing of consent for scheduled procedure. Assures current H&P is on chart and implements Surgeon’s orders including Pre-op antibiotics and hair removal.
• Obtains, assesses, and documents vital signs. 
• Assesses cardio-respiratory systems for changes providing appropriate treatment as needed.
• Administers appropriate pain management and observes behavioral/physiologic changes due to medications.
• Communicates with Surgeon and Anesthesiologist as needed about patient’s condition, receives direction, implements orders, and documents outcome.
• Carries out medical/surgical asepsis during treatments/special procedures using established techniques for safe administration of medications and parental fluids, according to hospital policies and procedures.
• Follows the five (5) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Verifies that narcotics and controlled substances are counted and secured according to hospital policy.
• Performs/interprets waived testing (point-of-care) according to policies and procedures.
• Notifies physician of any abnormal lab/test results.
• Completes documentation prior to discharge of patient.
• Communicates effectively and thoroughly the patient’s condition upon transfer from PACU to another unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing and background verification checks.

Minimum Qualifications, Education and Experience:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing

Previous PACU or ICU experience REQUIRED.

License and Certifications

Registered Nurse License in the state of Texas or compact equivalent

BLS Required
ACLS Required
PALS Preferred