Toronto, Ontario St. Michael's Hospital
An RN at St. Michael's Hospital, who works in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit, works within a changing environment and in inter-professional team who advocates for and promotes wellness while ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and ethical nursing care. The PACU at SMH cares for all day surgery and admitted post-operative patients. It is a large unit which is comprised of 2 units with a total of 28 recovery bays which allows the RN to share his/her knowledge and expertise with others and contribute to the advancement of nursing practice excellence. The RN continually enhances his/her practice and competencies through ongoing learning, education, experience and reflective practice.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The primary role of the RN is to provide holistic, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, patient-centred quality care in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario standards and SMH’s mission, vision, values and policies. The RN optimizes the patient’s experience and care outcomes by: Being accountable for one´s decisions and professional practice; Establishing a therapeutic relationship with the patient; Collaborating with other members of the patient´s care team; and, Coordinating and communicating patient care activities.
The RN has 4 key areas of responsibility:
Acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs
Develops a plan of care and integrates nursing activities with other inter-professional activities
Engages in critical inquiry and reflection to select evidence-based interventions
Organizes nursing care and assigns or changes nursing care activities where appropriate
Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed
Anticipates, recognizes and addresses rapidly changing situations
Provides health education to patients and their families using effective teaching strategies
Documents observations, assessments and care provision
Contributes to discharge and transition planning
Refers patient to other agencies or services as needed
Collaboration & Coordination
Serves as the primary resource for organizing and coordinating patient care activities
Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships
Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transition and appropriate transfer of accountability
Participates in hospital committees and other groups
Leadership Aligns behavior with SMH’s vision, mission and values and Code of Conduct
Supports the advancement of professional practice Utilizes effective judgment in assigning patient care activities
Engages in self-reflection, performance review and ongoing learning
Participates in mentoring, teaching and /or coaching students, co-workers and other regulated and unregulated health professionals
Embraces change that leads to improved nursing practice and better patient outcomes
Advocates for a safe and healthy work environment
Research Participates in or supports research projects
Supports and participates in evidence based practice implementation and quality improvement initiatives
QUALIFICATIONS:
Must have current General Class (Practising) Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario
Must have current BLS certificate, ALS preferred
Must have completed the Critical Care Course and have current Critical Care experience from a recognized institution
PACU experience is preferred
Demonstrated evidence of current experience and competence in venipuncture
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families ensuring accurate and seamless information conveyed and documented.
Ability to work collaboratively with other professions/disciplines in a team environment
Proven planning, time management, organization and coordination skills Demonstrated ability to utilize technology to enhance evidence–based knowledge and practice.
Demonstrated evidence of excellent problem-solving, organizational, communication and critical thinking skills
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collaborative relationships with all relevant disciplines
Provides high quality, evidence-based care to post-operative patients, including critically ill patients, while working as an effective member of the nursing team in PACU.
Ensures the maintenance of high standards of patient care in response to service needs in PACU.
Being accountable for one's decisions and professional practice
Participates in continuing educational activities.
Communicates with patients using a structured approach that results in the patient and family being informed and acts as a patient advocate.
Re-assures and reduces patient /family anxiety by a demonstrated ability to answer patient /family questions with expert knowledge
Maintains accurate, objective patient records
Safeguards confidentiality of verbal, written and electronic patient information
Demonstrates stewardship through the responsible management of resources and supplies