Senior Registered Nurse - PACU Recovery - Santa Paula Hospital

Senior Registered Nurse

Under general direction and following established medically-approved policies and procedures, the incumbent will implement specialized skilled nursing processes in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit of the Santa Paula Hospital.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Senior Registered Nurse-Hospital is distinguished from other staff nursing classifications in that incumbents demonstrate advanced competency skills reflecting specialized knowledge specific to the assigned hospital unit; participate in performance improvement processes; and provide technical direction. Incumbents are expected to work at the full scope of their licensure/specialty area with a decreasing amount of supervision commensurate with their experience.

WHAT WE OFFER: The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, that includes:

• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate's degree.
• Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill. Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Certification Pay - $0.813 per hour based on scheduled work week hours for each qualified certification up to a maximum of five (5) certifications. One of the five certifications in Exhibit 9 of the CNA Memorandum of Agreement (Download PDF reader) may be paid at $2.00 per hour for a National Certification.
• Evening Shift Differential - 7.5%
• Night Shift Differential – 15%
• Weekend Shift Differential - $2.00 per hour
• Continuous County Service Incentive Pay - 1% for 7 years, 1.25% for 12 years and 1.5% for 17 years
• Preceptor Pay – $2.50 per hour
• House Supervisor Pay - $4.00 per hour
• Charge Nurse Premium Pay - $2.50 per hour
• Float Nurse Premium Pay - $3.50 per hour
• Standby Premium Pay – ¼ of regular hourly wage or Federal minimum wage (whichever is greater)
• Health Plans - Biweekly contribution towards medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from authorized plans.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
• Pension Plan: Participation in the County's defined benefit plan.
• Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Wellness Program.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency – Santa Paula Hospital

Senior Registered Nurse is represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA) and is eligible for overtime compensation. NOTE: Salary placement will be determined according to the current CNA memorandum of agreement. The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra-help vacancies within the Health Care Agency. There is currently one (1) Regular, Full-time vacancy within Santa Paula Hospital. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OPENING DATE : October 30, 2025 CLOSING DATE : Continuous and may close at any time.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Implements nursing processes (assessment, planning, implementation of care plan, evaluation of patient response) and revises the nursing plan as needed.
• Administers basic and advanced competency nursing care in accordance with VCMC/SPH policies and procedures and Patient Bill of Rights.
• Monitors patients' airway, breathing, and circulation immediately post-op.
• Performs frequent assessments of vital signs, neurological status, and pain levels.
• Administers prescribed medications for pain, nausea, and other post-anesthesia symptoms.
• Monitors surgical sites for bleeding, drainage, or complications.
• Provides safe, compassionate care tailored to each patient's physical and emotional needs.
• Ensures timely and accurate documentation in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Communicate effectively with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Provides a complete and concise hand-off to the next level of care.
• Educates and reassure patients and families during the recovery process.
• Maintains readiness to respond to emergencies and adhere to ACLS protocols.
• Provides direction to others regarding complex health and patient problems.
• Provides patient and staff education including the coordination of educational programs.
• Participates in hospital and/or nursing administration care committee.
• Reviews, identifies, reports, and corrects deficiencies in practices, products, or equipment as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Requires two (2) years of full-time professional registered nursing experience in Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a current, valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California
• Must have a current, valid Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification by first day of employment
• Must have a current and valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) by the first day of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Comprehensive knowledge of: the principles, practices, and techniques used in advanced nursing care of specialized units (PACU). Working knowledge of: performance improvement processes, hospital based/nursing committee practices, and patient and staff education methods. Working ability to: provide direction to others; self-direct continuing education needs, provide a positive role model and public image; work proficiently in emergency and/or stressful situations; maintain confidentiality of patient/client information; effectively establish and maintain working relationships with medical staff, co-workers, patients and the public; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by the County of Ventura Human Resources, Health Care Agency in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our website at . If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io for application materials. Our address is: County of Ventura, Human Resources – Health Care Agency, 646 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003. Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION : If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information. SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration. APPLICATION EVALUATION – Pass/Fail: An application