Pre-op / PACU Registered Nurse

Job description :

A Pre-Op / PACU (Pre-Operative / Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) Nurse specializing in ophthalmology, orthopedic, podiatry, pain management, and vascular procedures provides critical care to patients before and after surgery in these focused areas. This role involves preparing patients for specialized surgical interventions and monitoring their recovery from anesthesia in fast-paced ambulatory surgery center. The nurse ensures patient safety, comfort, and education while addressing unique considerations for each specialty. Shifts typically span 8-12 hours, often starting early (e.g., 6 : 00 AM) to align with surgical schedules.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Operative Care :

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, reviewing medical history, medications, allergies, lab results, and confirming informed consent and operative site specific to the procedure (e.g., correct eye for cataract surgery, limb for orthopedic / podiatry procedures).
• Perform pre-op tasks like checking vital signs, starting IVs, administering eye drops for ophthalmology cases, or pre-op analgesics for pain management procedures; ensure compliance with NPO (nothing by mouth) guidelines.
• Educate patients and families on specialty-specific procedures (e.g., cataract surgery, joint replacement, epidural injections, or simple vascular procedures) and post-op expectations, such as activity restrictions or wound care.
• Coordinate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialty teams to verify requirements like intraocular lens selection (ophthalmology), hardware placement (orthopedic / podiatry), or imaging for vascular procedures.
• Address specialty-specific needs, such as ensuring proper positioning for orthopedic patients or confirming anticoagulation status for vascular cases.

Post-Anesthesia Care (PACU) :

Monitor for eye pain, vision changes, or intraocular pressure issues post-surgery / procedure.

Assess for compartment syndrome, neurovascular status, or cast / splint issues after joint replacements or fracture repairs.

Check for foot / ankle swelling, nerve block effects, or infection risks post-bunionectomy or reconstructive surgery.

Evaluate pain relief efficacy and monitor for sedation or respiratory depression after epidural / spinal injections or nerve blocks.

Watch for bleeding, or circulatory changes post-procedure.

General Duties :

Required Qualifications and Skills

Experience :

Skills and Abilities :

Work Environment and Compensation

Pre-Op / PACU nurses in these specialties typically manage 1-4 patients at a time, depending on the phase (e.g., one patient in Phase I PACU). The role is rewarding due to direct patient impact but demanding due to the precision required for specialty procedures and unpredictable complications.