Clinical Nurse - Mays Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Clinical Nurse

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Clinical Nurse role provides direct patient care while supporting high standards of quality, safety, operational excellence, and patient-centered outcomes. This Clinical Nurse position contributes to a collaborative clinical environment focused on innovation, evidence-based practice, and continuous improvement. UT MD Anderson is committed to advancing patient care through clinical excellence, research innovation, and professional development. The Clinical Nurse works within an inter-professional team to deliver compassionate, outcome-focused care while supporting institutional goals and nursing practice standards. The Clinical Nurse also plays a key role in maintaining safe operations, promoting best practices, and supporting positive patient and family experiences.

The ideal candidate will possess clinical nursing experience in a high-acuity environment with preferred experience in Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Telemetry, and/or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) settings. Candidates should demonstrate strong clinical judgment, effective communication skills, commitment to evidence-based practice, and the ability to work independently while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.

Minimum $32.69/hour - Midpoint $50.58/hour - Maximum $68.51/hour

The typical work schedule is two 12 hour (6:45pm-7:15am) and two 8 hour (10:45pm-7:15am) shifts per week.

Work Location: Mays Building, Texas Medical Center (TMC)

Why Us? This role offers the opportunity to provide exceptional patient care while contributing to UT MD Anderson's mission of eliminating cancer through outstanding clinical care, research, education, and prevention. Team members are empowered to advance their clinical expertise, participate in innovation and quality improvement initiatives, collaborate with experienced healthcare professionals, and benefit from opportunities that support both professional growth and work-life balance.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality and fiscally responsible patient care.
• Anticipate patient and family needs in collaboration with the Charge Nurse, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nurse Manager.
• Practice autonomously within the scope of professional nursing practice.
• Deliver evidence-based nursing care consistent with current research and practice standards.
• Utilize a systematic, outcome-focused approach to patient care.
• Integrate ethical principles into clinical practice.
• Maintain clinical competence and technological proficiency.
• Provide compassionate direct patient care consistent with the Professional Practice Model.
• Comply with regulatory standards and institutional policies.
• Pursue lifelong learning and professional development opportunities.

• Participate in daily unit operations to support financial and operational goals.
• Utilize available resources responsibly and efficiently.
• Participate in change initiatives and incorporate change into daily practice.
• Demonstrate loyalty and commitment to the inter-professional team.
• Foster peer relationships through coaching and mentoring.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, staff, leadership, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Contribute feedback regarding the performance of clerical and clinical staff.
• Foster accountability and support a Just Culture environment.
• Participate in staff evaluation and professional development activities.
• Strengthen professional relationships to improve patient and family outcomes.

• Apply new and existing evidence to patient care standards.
• Incorporate new knowledge, innovations, and improvements into clinical practice.
• Promote an environment that embraces change and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of technology when providing patient care.
• Assess patient and family care needs using evidence-based practices.
• Coordinate safe and effective patient care delivery.
• Implement patient care interventions utilizing empirical outcome measurements.
• Evaluate patient outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and institutional best practices.
• Maintain awareness of unit and institutional performance metrics.

• Organize workflow to support efficient operating room operations and resource utilization.
• Contribute to on-time surgery starts and efficient turnover of surgical cases.
• Maintain stability and effectiveness during crises and high-pressure situations.
• Correctly identify the patient, surgical procedure, and laterality.
• Maintain a safe operating room environment using sterile and aseptic techniques.
• Operate surgical equipment safely, including OR tables, lasers, sequential compression devices, and tourniquets.
• Promote appropriate use of personal protective equipment related to infection prevention, radiation exposure, and laser safety.
• Respond effectively to operating room emergencies and institutional emergency situations.
• Demonstrate competency in nursing actions during emergencies, including Massive Transfusion Protocol and Malignant Hyperthermia.
• Utilize available resources and staff to support routine, emergency, and institutional operations

• Perform chart audits to ensure completeness of intraoperative documentation.
• Validate the performance and knowledge of staff members reporting directly to the role.
• Participate in cost-saving initiatives and minimize waste of supplies and resources.
• Adhere to all standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Address breaks in technique and unsafe conditions to maintain patient safety.
• Demonstrate competency during surgical procedures.
• Prepare supplies and equipment according to preference cards and procedural requirements.
• Assemble, inspect, and connect equipment to ensure safe and proper functioning.
• Implement patient safety measures, including pressure point prevention and sponge, sharps, and instrument count compliance.
• Label, prepare, handle, and transport medications, specimens, hemostatic agents, and prosthetics according to policy and procedure.

Other duties as assigned

Education

• Required: Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree Nursing.

Work Experience

• Preferred: Clinical Nurse in one or more of the following: Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Telemetry, or Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Licenses and Certifications

• Required: RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure Current State of Texas Professional Nursing license. Upon Hire and
• Required: ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Upon Hire and
• Required: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support If working in the following department: Nrsg Post Anesthesia Care Unit (600160). Upon Hire
• Preferred: OCN - Oncology Nurse Certification Upon Hire
• Preferred: Certification in specialty practice area. Upon Hire

Other Requirements:

All clinical nurses with less than one year of registered nurse (RN) work experience will be required to participate in the Clinical Nurse Residency Program. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition. This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.