Scheduled Hours
40
Position Summary
Position provides primary and/or specialty nursing and/or medical care in a variety of settings; works under physician oversight as required by state regulation, and functions within the scope of practice defined by the NP’s specialty certification, BJH medical by-laws, and, where it exists, the collaborative practice agreement. This role is crucial in ensuring patients' smooth recovery from surgery and anesthesia, addressing any complications promptly, and facilitating effective communication between the healthcare team members.
PACU In-Patient Nurse Practitioner will work in a collaborative practice arrangement with board certified Anesthesiologists in the care of patients at Barnes Jewish Hospital as well as support and enhance the teaching mission for fellows and residents.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
- Comprehensive Assessments: Perform thorough assessments of post-operative patients in the PACU; monitor patients' recovery from anesthesia, including vital signs, pain levels, and overall stability; and provide early recognition of warning signs in the recovery area and timely alert to the attending anesthesiologist or the POD leader.
- Physical Examination: Conduct detailed physical exams to assess patients' post-operative conditions; and evaluate laboratory results and other diagnostic tests as needed to monitor patient recovery and identify any complications.
- Orders and Protocols: Write and implement additional medical orders per established protocols, particularly for issues like Post-Operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV); and, ensure pre-operative orders are completed, including orders for IV fluids, medications, and other necessary interventions.
- Documentation: Accurately document all post-operative assessments and interventions in the electronic health record system (Epic); and, ensure all patients have completed Anesthesia documentation before leaving the PACU.
- Communication and Collaboration: Communicate effectively with Attending Anesthesiologists regarding patients with post-operative issues and those ready for discharge; present patients to the Attending Anesthesiologists at the bedside for evaluation; ensure the Attending MD personally evaluates each patient and co-signs the NP's sign-out order; communicate with the POD leader on a regular basis, update on throughput, provide necessary alerts; communicate with patients and patient’s family.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work collaboratively with PACU Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide comprehensive post-operative care; coordinate with representatives from surgical specialties, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), and other relevant departments to ensure continuity of care and address any post-operative concerns; provide structured handoff report to the receiving services in the ICU, OU or surgery floor; and regularly participates in constant quality improvement and process improvement activities centered on the goal of providing exceptional, evidence-based patient care.
- Regularly participates in constant quality improvement and process improvement activities centered on the goal of providing exceptional, evidence-based patient care.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
Normal office environment
Exposure to blood-borne pathogens
Exposure to chemicals
Requires protective devices
Dust, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements
Patient care setting
Direct patient care setting
Physical Effort
Typically sitting at desk or table
Typically standing or walking
Typically bending, crouching, stooping
Using tools requiring high dexterity
Occasional lifting (25 lbs or less)
Equipment
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
M.S.N. - Master Of Science In Nursing - Nurse Practitioner
Certifications:
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) - Missouri Division of Professional Registration, Basic Life Support - American Heart Association, Basic Life Support - American Red Cross
Work Experience:
No specific work experience is required for this position.
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
Required Qualifications
- APN licensure or ability to successfully obtain licensure within three months of date of hire.
- Certain/additional certifications may be necessary based on area of specialty.
- Basic Life Support certification (Online Basic Life Support certifications, those without a skills assessment component, are not sufficient to meet the Basic Life Support requirement).
Preferred Qualifications
- Current certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or recent completion/anticipated completion of an accredited Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program.
- Active Missouri RN license in good standing, or ability to obtain.
- Current ACLS provider status.
- Recent critical care experience as an RN or ACNP.
- Ability to write for vasoactive agents or blood, in collaboration with Attending Anesthesiologist.
- Ability to prescribe medications per institutional protocols (e.g., PONV) or in collaboration of the Attending Anesthesiologist (e.g., vasopressors), blood products.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Certifications:
No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Skills:
Clinical Decision Making, Clinical Diagnostics, Disease Management, Epic EHR, Family Support, HIPAA Compliance, Interpersonal Communication, Patient Care, Patient Education, Patient Evaluations, Patient Management, Pharmacology, Preventive Care, Teamwork, Time Management
Grade
S30
Salary Range
$86,300.00 - $155,500.00 / Annually
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.
WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.