Nurse Pre Admission Testing

Hello humankindness 

Located conveniently in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center is a 571-bed, not-for-profit hospital that provides a wide range of health, social and support services.  Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Joseph's was the first hospital in the Phoenix area. More than 125 years later, St. Joseph's remains dedicated to its mission of caring for the poor and underserved.

We are extremely proud to be a nationally recognized center for quality quaternary care, medical education and research. St. Joseph's includes the internationally renowned Barrow Neurological Institute, Norton Thoracic Institute, Cancer Center at St. Joseph's, Ivy Brain Tumor Center, and St. Joseph's Level I Trauma Center (which is verified by the American College of Surgeons). The hospital is also a respected center for high-risk obstetrics, neuro-rehabilitation, orthopedics, and other medical services. St. Joseph’s is considered a sought-after destination hospital for treating the most complex cases from throughout the world. Every day, approximately 20 percent of the hospital’s patients have traveled from outside of Arizona and the United States to seek treatment at St. Joseph’s.

U.S News & World Report routinely ranks St. Joseph's among the top hospitals in the United States for neurology and neurosurgery.  In addition, St. Joseph's boasts the Creighton University School of Medicine at St. Joseph's, and a strategic alliance with Phoenix Children's Hospital.

St. Joseph's is consistently named an outstanding place to work and one of Arizona's healthiest employers. Come grow your career with one of Arizona's Most Admired Companies. Look for us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Job Summary:

The Preadmission Testing (PAT) Nurse is a registered professional nurse responsible for the comprehensive pre-operative assessment and preparation of patients scheduled for surgical or procedural interventions. This includes identifying and addressing potential health risks, optimizing patient health prior to surgery, providing education, and ensuring seamless coordination of care between the patient, surgical team, anesthesia, and other healthcare providers. The PAT Nurse plays a critical role in promoting patient safety, reducing surgical complications, and improving patient outcomes.

Patient Assessment & Data Collection

• Conduct thorough and systematic pre-operative patient assessments, including medical history, surgical history, social history, allergies, medication reconciliation, and review of systems.
• Perform a comprehensive physical assessment, focusing on systems relevant to the planned procedure and anesthesia.
• Evaluate patient's understanding of the planned procedure, anesthesia, and recovery process.

Pre-operative Optimization & Risk Management

• Collaborate with the surgical team, anesthesia providers, and other specialists to optimize the patient's health status prior to surgery.
• Identify and communicate any abnormal findings or potential contraindications for surgery to the appropriate healthcare providers.
• Facilitate further diagnostic testing or specialist consultations as indicated by the patient's assessment (e.g., cardiology clearance, pulmonary function tests, diabetes management).
• Implement interventions to mitigate identified risks, such as medication adjustments, smoking cessation counseling, or nutritional guidance.

Patient Education & Communication:

• Provide clear, concise, and individualized pre-operative education to patients and their families regarding the planned procedure, anesthesia options, pre-op instructions (e.g., NPO, medications to hold/take), what to expect on the day of surgery, and post-operative care instructions.
• Address patient questions and concerns, providing emotional support and alleviating anxiety.
• Obtain and verify informed consent for surgical procedures and anesthesia, ensuring the patient fully understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Minimum:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing

One year recent acute care experience

Licensure:

• Registered Nurse: AZ (RN:AZ)
• American Heart Association:
  • Basic Life Support - CPR (BLS-CPR)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)