Registered NURSE - Ambulatory Care Unit

Description

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital /

Southern Vermont Health Services Corporation

The Perioperative Ambulatory RN provides skilled, patient-centered care during the preoperative and postoperative periods, with cross-training to support patient care across multiple areas including the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC), and Endoscopy.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing the health status of individuals and groups including patients' physical and psychological readiness for surgery
• Collecting patient history, vital signs, and other relevant data
• Preparing patients for surgery, including education on the procedure, medications, and post-operative care
• Establishing nursing diagnoses and goals to meet identified health care needs.
• Planning and implementing nursing interventions in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
• Evaluating patient responses to interventions and adjusting care plans accordingly.
• Delegating and supervising interventions performed by others as appropriate.
• Educating patients, families, and colleagues.
• Maintaining a safe environment for effective nursing care.
• Ensuring all necessary paperwork and consent forms are completed.

This role requires flexibility, critical thinking, and collaborative practice in a multidisciplinary team setting. Call coverage is required.

Perioperative Services at BMH encompasses care from infancy (10 months) through end-of-life, providing comprehensive surgical and procedural services across the following areas:

• Pre-Anesthesia Clinic (PAC)
• Operating Room (OR)
• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)
• Endoscopy
• Minor Procedures
• Sterile Processing Department (SPD)
• Staffing

The department is staffed by:

• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Surgical Technologists
• Scheduler/Assistant Staffing Coordinator
• Sterile Processing Technicians
• Operating Room Assistants
• Unit Secretary/LNAs
• Perioperative Workflow Coordinator
• Perioperative Supervisor
• Director of Perioperative Services
• Surgical Services

• The OR operates 24/7 with elective surgery hours from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
• Procedures are conducted in three surgical suites by credentialed surgeons.
• Cesarean sections are performed in the Birthing Center OR.
• Scheduling and block times are coordinated by the Surgical Governance Council.
• Coordination involves physician offices, the OR, Anesthesia, and SPD.

The PACU provides:

• Immediate postoperative care
• Preoperative nerve block placement
• Monitoring prior to admission, transfer, or discharge
• Intensive observation post-surgery or procedure

The ACU delivers:

• Pre and postoperative assessment, care and education
• Preoperative nerve block placement
• Discharge planning & education

Staffed by RNs, a Workflow Coordinator, and a Unit Secretary, the PAC supports:

• Pre-surgical patient interviews and assessments
• Review of preoperative consults and test results
• Compliance with anesthesia guidelines to ensure surgical patient readiness

SPD is responsible for:

• Decontaminating and sterilizing instruments for the OR and physician practices
• Ensuring all equipment meets hospital policy and safety standards

• Graduate of an RN accredited nursing program; BSN preferred.

• 3-5 years recent outpatient clinical nursing experience preferred
• Acute care experience preferred

• Active State of Vermont RN license
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification

OSHA Category I
- Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues require use of techniques of Universal Precautions as evidenced with blood borne pathogens standards.

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities.

• Standing
  - Up to 1/3
• Walking
  - Up to 1/3
• Sitting - 2/3 or more
• Talking or Hearing - 2/3 or…