PACU Registered Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Contract Acute Care Registered Nurse – PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit)

Location: Los Alamos, NM Contract Type: Full-Time Contract Residency Requirement: Candidates must live within 60 miles of the facility to qualify.

We are seeking an experienced PACU Registered Nurse to support our partner facility in Los Alamos, New Mexico . This contract role is ideal for RNs who excel in post-operative recovery environments and are committed to delivering safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care. You'll work with a collaborative surgical services team focused on patient safety, smooth recoveries, and high-quality outcomes.

• Provide comprehensive post-anesthesia nursing care to patients recovering from surgical procedures.
• Monitor vital signs, airway status, pain levels, and overall patient stability.
• Administer medications, IV fluids, and pain management interventions per provider orders.
• Respond rapidly to changes in patient condition and escalate care when needed.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate recovery and discharge plans.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation within the EMR system.
• Educate patients and families on post-operative expectations, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
• Uphold all safety, infection control, and regulatory standards.

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of New Mexico.
• Must live within 60 miles of the facility to qualify for this contract role.
• Minimum 1–2 years of recent PACU or perioperative experience in an acute care setting.
• Current BLS , ACLS , and PALS certifications (AHA preferred).
• Strong assessment, critical thinking, and rapid-response skills.
• Experience with post-anesthesia monitoring and recovery protocols.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR).

• Experience in high-volume surgical or PACU settings.
• Additional perioperative certifications (e.g., CPAN, CAPA).
• Familiarity with diverse surgical specialties and recovery pathways.

• Full-time contract hours; shifts may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, or rotating schedules based on department needs.
• Competitive hourly compensation based on experience and specialty.
• Opportunities for contract extensions depending on performance and facility needs.

Our partner facility in Los Alamos, NM is known for its strong surgical services program, supportive team culture, and commitment to high-quality patient care. PACU RNs joining this team will play a vital role in ensuring safe, efficient, and comfortable recoveries for post-operative patients.