PACU Tech

PACU Technician

The PACU Technician provides direct and indirect patient care support in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit under the supervision of Registered Nurses and in collaboration with the anesthesia and surgical teams. This role focuses on ensuring patient safety and comfort during the immediate post-operative recovery phase, maintaining a clean and efficient unit environment, and supporting smooth patient flow in a resource-limited Critical Access Hospital setting.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care Support

• Assist PACU nurses with direct patient care, including positioning, transfers, ambulation, and comfort measures.
• Help patients with activities of daily living such as eating, drinking, grooming, and toileting as they recover from anesthesia.
• Measure and record vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation) and report abnormal readings promptly to the RN.
• Provide nourishment and fluids to patients as directed.
• Assist with patient monitoring for emergence from anesthesia, including observing for signs of pain, nausea, confusion, or complications.
• Support patient and family education on basic post-operative care under RN guidance.

Unit Operations & Environment

• Prepare and turn over PACU bays/rooms for incoming patients (cleaning, stocking supplies, setting up equipment and monitors).
• Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly PACU environment in accordance with infection control and hospital policies.
• Transport patients safely between the Operating Room (OR), PACU, and other hospital units (e.g., Med/Surg floor).
• Obtain and set up necessary equipment and supplies for PACU procedures or patient care.
• Restock supplies, linens, and nourishments; communicate inventory needs to appropriate staff.

Documentation & Communication

• Accurately document patient care activities, vital signs, and intake/output in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary team (nurses, anesthesia providers, surgeons, and support staff).
• Answer call lights and respond promptly to patient needs.

Additional Duties in a Critical Access Hospital

• Assist with basic clerical tasks, such as answering phones or coordinating patient flow when staffing is limited.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and regulatory compliance efforts (e.g., infection prevention, patient safety).
• Flex to support other perioperative or nursing areas (e.g., Pre-Op, OR, or Med/Surg) as needed due to the hospital's small size and variable surgical volume.
• Respond to occasional after-hours or on-call needs for emergency or urgent surgical cases.

Requirements

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Completion of a recognized Patient Care Technician (PCT), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), or Medical Assistant program strongly preferred.

Experience

• Previous experience in a hospital setting, preferably in PACU, OR, ICU, or Med/Surg, is highly desirable.
• Experience in a Critical Access or rural hospital environment is a plus.

Licensure & Certification

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required (American Heart Association).
• Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT/A) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification preferred.
• Additional certifications (e.g., phlebotomy, EKG) are a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a compassionate bedside manner.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced, high-stakes recovery environment.
• Basic knowledge of post-operative care, infection control, and patient safety principles.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and basic computer skills.
• Physical ability to lift, transfer, and position patients (up to 50 lbs) and stand for extended periods.
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to the needs of a small Critical Access Hospital team.