Registered Nurse (RN)- PACU

Department

37710 Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center - PACU

Status

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Hou rs Per Week

Schedule Details/Additional Information

Full Time, Second Shift

Pay Range

$38.20 - $57.30

Where You'll Work

• Unified PACU Team: We’ve recently combined our outpatient and inpatient PACUs into one team. We are now operating across two floors of the bed tower (Floors 1 and 4).
• Outpatient Services: We handle a high volume of cases including orthopedics, gynecology, urology, vascular, interventional radiology (IR), brachytherapy, and ECT—primarily for patients being discharged the same day or staying short-term.
• Inpatient Services: Similar surgical mix, but with more acutely ill patients and complex procedures who may require multiple vasoactive drips. We also care for ICU-level patients, excluding open-heart and fresh organ transplant cases. Intubated ICU patients may bypass PACU depending on bed availability.
• Additional Services: We receive patients from IR, EP lab, and some from the Cath lab. After 7 PM, we also see some pediatric patients.
• Work Environment: Our hospital-based setting means a higher acuity patient population. Scrubs are provided, and we use Epic for documentation.

Major Responsibilities

• Engages in unit councils, professional governance, and quality initiatives to improve care processes and apply evidence-based practices.
• Utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, diagnose, implement, and evaluate nursing care, engaging patients and families through the continuum of care.
• Monitors patient conditions, adjusts care plans, mobilizes resources, and collaborates with the care team to influence care outcomes.
• Upholds and promotes a culture of safety.
• Continuously evaluates patient, team, and unit outcomes, taking action as needed.
• May administer medications, treatments, and therapies safely and according to clinical protocols and procedures.
• Demonstrates effective communication, feedback, and conflict resolution, fostering team collaboration and appropriate delegation.
• Pursues professional development, completes required education, and maintains certifications.
• Adhere to the ANA Code of Ethics and practices ethical decision-making, respects interdisciplinary roles, and contributes to integrated, unbiased patient care.
• Appropriate delegation to other Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and unlicensed assistive personnel (i.e., nurse aides, credentialed medical assistants, etc.).
• Maintains accurate, timely EHR documentation.
• May be required to float to other units, departments, care areas, or facilities within the designated service area to meet patient care needs.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

Graduate of a Board of Nursing approved nursing education program.

Certification / Registration / License

• Basic Life Support (BLS). Additional education, training, certifications, or experience may be required based on specialty.
• Active registered nurse (RN) multi-state compact and/or single-state license with privileges to practice in the state(s) where the RN is providing client nursing services

Note : Licensed nurses practicing via telehealth/telenursing/virtual modalities are required to be licensed or hold the privilege to practice in the state(s) where the client(s) is/are located. Licensed nurses are responsible and accountable for knowing, understanding, and practicing in compliance with the laws, rules, regulations, and standards of practice of the state(s) where the client(s) is/are located.

Experience

Typically requires 1 year of experience in clinical nursing.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong clinical judgment and critical thinking.
• Time management, prioritization and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in operating computer functions (e.g., E-mail, electronic records, digital platforms etc.) clinical, aviation, maintenance, communications, and administrative departments.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to lift and support the weight of 35 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies.
• Must be able to: push/pull with 30 lbs. of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch with ability to use fine hand manipulation skills for IV insertion and other procedures/functions.
• Maneuver foot pedals on carts or machines.
• Perform physical safety interventions such as patient restraint and verbal de-escalation, if needed.
• May be exposed to chemical and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease. Therefore, protective clothing and equipment must be worn as necessary.
• Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patient and/or unit conditions.
• Physical Abilities Testing may be required.
• Additional department specific physical requirements may be identified for unique responsibilities within the department by the nurse leader.

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN)

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training

• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job

• Incentive pay for select positions

• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs

• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses

• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave

• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

The Registered Nurse (RN), a member of Advocate Health Nursing Professional Governance community, provides high- quality, patient-centered care through evidence-based practice, clinical expertise, and compassionate care delivery in an acute care setting. The RN collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, advocates for patient needs, and upholds professional practice standards to promote optimal health outcomes.