RN PACU Nurse | Days 7a-5:30p | $25,000 Sign On Bonus!

We are growing!  Children's National is seeking experienced procedural, ED or critical care nurses to join our PACU team.

Surgical Services at the main hospital campus is equipped and available to provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week surgical care.

The Perioperative Services Department consists of the following areas:

•           Surgery Preparation

•           Operating Rooms (17 O.R.’s and 2 Procedure Rooms)

•           Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU-12 prep and 35 post anesthesia bays)

•           Sterile Processing Department (SPD)

•           Radiology

•           Endoscopy

In our delivery of care we aim for quality healthcare that is: patient centered, safe, timely, efficient, equitable, and effective. The department is engaged in quality, performance improvement and research to provide care that has the patient and family in mind. 

Perioperative Services’ mission is facilitated through a culture of safety. The focus of care is on the patient, family, and the environment. The department strives for an environment that enables the provision for safe patient care, excellence in performance, improvement in our process, and positive health outcomes. 

Children’s National surgery center performs nearly 17,000 procedures each year on infants, children and adolescents, including kidney transplants, scoliosis, hernia repairs, and procedures to treat disorders and abnormalities of the esophagus and trachea. Other special services include corneal implants and cataract surgeries, and we specialize in cochlear implant for the ear. Children’s surgeons perform laser surgery and employ many types of minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy and thoracoscopy.  

Children’s National has a world-class team of pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and support staff who have developed a variety of programs designed with children in mind. One of our newest additions is the DaVinci robot and MRI suite.

All nursing practice is based on the legal scope of practice, national and specialty nursing standards, Children's National Policies and Procedures, and
in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The professional Model of Care require registered professional nurses to be responsible and
accountable for their own practice. Children's National support the development of RN relationships with the community; specifically those
relationships associated with the health and well being of the community at large. A RN is an independent practitioner who functions as an identified
resource to staff in a patient care area. H/She will provide comprehensive patient care to a variety of patients. Incorporate all members of the health care team in the planning and delivery of patient care. Will deal successfully with complex clinical problems. Conduct quick assessment of patients and
handle emergency situations appropriately . Demonstrate evidence based practice through participation in unit projects and activities.

Minimum Education

ADN Required, BSN Preferred

Minimum Work Experience
2 years P ACU experience required or related clinical nursing experience in a comparable setting such as critical care or Peds ED. (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
The licensed Registered Nurse will successfully complete the hospital and nursing orientation at Children’s National.
Must have strong skills of airway management and knowledge of anesthetic agents.
Excel in organizational skills, adjust for changes and be able to complete assignment on time.
Role model critical thinking skills by problem-solving patient care and unit/system issues.
Demonstrate a collegial and respectful relationship with peers, physicians and other departments.
Care will incorporate best practices based on benchmarks and evidence within the literature.

Required Licenses and Certifications
Registered Nurse in District of Columbia (Required)Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (Required)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) (Required)
Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) (Preferred) And
Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) (Preferred)

Functional Accountabilities
Post-Anesthesia Clinical Care Activities

• Evaluate and manage patient's airway postoperatively including breakthrough laryngospasms; apply knowledge of the physiological changes to the airway postoperatively as a consequence of anesthesia and surgery .

• Perform manual intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV).

• Be aware of the risk factors that contribute to the condition and make decisions when caring for patients and families.

• Monitor cardiopulmonary function, airway patency, and oxygen saturation.

• Provide prompt care to minimize the incidence of emergence delirium; maintain safety environment while patient experiencing emergence delirium.

• Evaluate and treat post-operative pain in a timely manner with appropriate intervention.

• Manage epidural administration of local anesthetics and opioids.

• Manage patients with central neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks.

• Monitor complications associated with administration of analgesics and act promptly to minimize adverse incidents.

Transformational Leadership

• Contribute to Magnet re-designation as evidenced by independent involvement or leadership in: committees, task force and/or community outreach.

• Communication reflects development of plan of care and ability to advocate to meet patients’ needs; make suggestions for resolution of system issues.

• Role model procedures for escalation of issues and utilize chain of command.

• Demonstrate proper use of identified hand off processes; follow up on inconsistent practice related to handoff.

• Take the lead in implementing change and support management decisions.

• Role model behavior reflecting empathy, concern and a desire to help others.

Structural Empowerment

• Independently maintain regulatory requirements e.g. license, BLS.

• Initiate professional activities to enhance nursing practice.

• Engage in active review of peers giving constructive feedback through timely participation in evaluations.

• Role model adherence to national safety standards and service excellence standards; champion advancement of education and certification.

• Orchestrate involvement of the healthcare team and role model professional behavior and teamwork with co-workers.

• Serve as a resource as needed and know when to escalate to next level

Exemplary Professional Practice

• Analyze assessment data gathered from patient and family to ensure completion of database and plan of care within identified timeframes.

• Role model excellent clinical skills with complex patients; care will reflect analysis of patient status and appropriate interventions.

• Direct prioritization and organization for complex patient with rapidly changing needs.

• Documentation will exemplify adherence to the highest standards of practice.

• Anticipate and proactively plan for educational needs verify with patient and family throughout the hospital/outpatient stay and prior to discharge.

• Role Model care in all encounters with patient and family as evidenced by feedback from parents and an increase in patient satisfaction scores.

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Organizational Accountabilities
Professional Growth

• Initiate ways to improve operations through quality improvement and implement related solutions.

• Identify self-learning needs and take initiative to meet those needs.

• Serve as a resource for current, new information or changes in specialty area.

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization

• Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity

• Maintain confidentiality at all times

Customer Service

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things