Post Anesthesia Care Nurse

Job Description

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patients to provide high-quality, patient-centered care in various settings, educate patients and their families, advocate for their needs, and ensure compliance with healthcare standards and regulations.

General Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct initial and ongoing assessments of the patient's current health status and medical history, including monitoring vital signs, symptoms, and any other changes in condition.
• Complete and/or review admission data records and document patient information accurately in electronic health records (EHR).
• Develop individualized care plans based on the patient's initial assessment, medical history, physician's orders, and physiological, psychosocial, and environmental factors.
• Document the patient's care, including nursing intervention, response to care received, patient needs, problems, capabilities, limitations, and progress toward goals.
• Communicate with the physician regarding the patient's needs, the nursing assessment results, and recommendations on a daily basis and as needed.
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
• Provide wound care, IV therapy, catheterization, and other nursing procedures.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (physicians, therapists, social workers) to provide comprehensive care.
• Respond promptly and effectively to emergencies such as cardiac arrest or respiratory distress.
• Perform CPR, use defibrillators, and assist in other life-saving procedures as necessary.
• Provide emotional support and counseling to patients and families.
• Perform indirect patient care using established procedures, policies, and standards.
• Educate patients and families about health conditions, treatment plans, medications, and self-care practices, and document the evidence and understanding of these instructions, including them in the medical record.
• Provide timely and comprehensive shift change reports to the appropriate person.
• Use and store patient care supplies and equipment efficiently, following proper procedures for obtaining, returning, cleaning, and disposing of them, enabling optimal use.
• Use equipment correctly and safely according to product information, and maintain it clean at all times.
• Provide discharge planning and instructions to ensure continuity of care after leaving the healthcare facility.
• Adhere to all safety protocols, infection control practices, ethical guidelines, UAE regulations, and Dubai Health’s policies and procedures
• Engage in continuing education and professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in nursing.
• Participate in nursing conferences, workshops, and in-service training.
• Seek certifications in specialized areas of nursing, if applicable (e.g., Critical Care Nursing, Pediatric Nursing).
• Any other assignments related to the nature of the job assigned by the management.

PACU -Unit Specific Roles & Responsibilities

• Receive and assess patients immediately upon arrival from the Operating Theatre.
• Continuously monitor airway, breathing, circulation, oxygen saturation, and level of consciousness.
• Identify and manage post-anesthesia complications, including airway obstruction, respiratory depression, bleeding, hypotension, and arrhythmias.
• Assess, monitor and manage patients who have undergone procedures under General, Spinal, Epidural and block anesthesia.
• Administer prescribed medications, oxygen therapy, IV fluids, and blood products.
• Monitor surgical sites, drains, dressings, and wound status for complications.
• Maintain airway patency and assist with airway management and emergency resuscitation when required.
• Monitor and document neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and hemodynamic status.
• Detect and promptly escalate patient deterioration to the anesthetist or surgeon.
• Ensure safe recovery from sedation and anesthesia according to discharge criteria.
• Assist with emergency interventions, re-intubation, and Code Blue responses.
• Coordinate safe transfer of patients to inpatient units, ICU, Day Surgery, or discharge areas.
• Ensure availability and readiness of PACU emergency equipment, monitors, oxygen, and suction devices.
• Verify that discharge or transfer criteria are fully met before patient release from PACU.

Required Qualifications and Licensure for staff Nurse position

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 2 years of recent clinical experience in the relevant specialty.
• Valid BLS certification.
• Must hold a valid UAE Registered Nurse license (DHA, DOH, MOHAP, or DHCC) or a valid Eligibility Letter