RN PACU

Job Summary:


The Registered Nurse in the Pre-Op and PACU/Recovery Unit is responsible for delivering specialized perioperative nursing care to patients before and after surgery. This role requires expertise in patient assessment, medication administration, airway management, and collaboration with surgical and interdisciplinary teams. The nurse will manage a diverse patient population across various surgical specialties, ensuring safe and effective care in a fast-paced environment. A minimum of two years of relevant experience and multiple certifications are mandatory.

Responsibilities:

• Provide skilled nursing care in Pre-Op and PACU settings, including patient assessments, pain management, and airway monitoring.
• Administer medications and manage IVs, urinary catheters, and other postoperative devices.
• Obtain operative and procedural consents and perform preoperative education and assessments.
• Collaborate with surgical teams, anesthesia, and other interdisciplinary staff to coordinate patient care.
• Manage patient flow in a busy unit with 12 rooms and 24 beds, supporting a daily census of 35-50 patients.
• Float between Pre-Op, PACU, outpatient orthopedic surgery, and same-day surgery centers as needed.
• Respond promptly to on-call duties with a 30-minute callback expectation.
• Perform dysrhythmia recognition and management, and monitor vital signs including end-tidal CO2.
• Support specialized surgical programs including robotics, bariatrics, orthopedics, neuro, cardiac, and vascular surgeries.
• Maintain compliance with isolation precautions and malignant hyperthermia protocols.
• Document patient care activities accurately and communicate patient status changes effectively.
• Assist with blood product administration, central line and PICC line care, phlebotomy, and emergency medication administration.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and maintain professional development.

Required Skills & Certifications:

• Current Registered Nurse license in the state of practice.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in ER, ICU, or PACU.
• Certifications: ACLS, BLS, NIH, PALS, Phase I PACU certification.
• Skills in dysrhythmia recognition/management, starting IVs, airway assessment, and operative/procedural consent.
• Experience with medication administration including antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, vasopressors, narcotics, and reversal agents.
• Proficiency with EPIC electronic health record system.
• Ability to perform straight urinary catheterization (female and male) and pain assessment/management.
• Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.

Preferred Skills & Certifications:

• Previous charge nurse experience.
• Experience in ambulatory/outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Experience in Level 1 or Level 2 Trauma Centers.
• Knowledge of advanced surgical procedures such as bariatrics, cardiac, neuro/spine, robotics, thoracic, vascular, and plastics.
• Skills in arterial line management, blood product administration, central line and PICC line management, phlebotomy.
• Familiarity with anesthesia techniques including conscious sedation, epidural, monitored anesthesia care (MAC), nerve blocks, and spinal anesthesia.
• Experience with respiratory management including chest tubes and end-tidal CO2 monitoring.
• Understanding of hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia protocols, malignant hyperthermia protocols, PCA pump management, and RASS scale.

Special Considerations:

• Work includes 12-hour shifts with variable start times depending on assignment (Pre-Op or PACU).
• Call requirement of 2-3 shifts per month with 30-minute callback response time.
• Call hours: Weekdays 2200-0500 and weekends 12-hour shifts starting at 0600 and 1800.
• Float required between Pre-Op and PACU, with occasional float to outpatient ortho surgery or same-day surgery center.
• Unit staffed 24/7 with a busy surgical schedule including add-on cases and robotic surgeries.
• Scrub color: Royal Blue (provided).
• Two requests off per contract accepted.

Scheduling:

• Three 12-hour day shifts per week with variable start times: 0500 in Pre-Op; 0800, 0900, or 1000 in PACU on weekdays.
• Weekend staffing includes four RNs per day with shifts starting at 0600 and 0800.
• Night shifts available Monday through Thursday from 2000 to 0430, and 12-hour weekend night shifts starting at 1800.
• Schedules may include weekend shifts to meet the three-shift weekly requirement.
• Call shifts integrated into schedule except for those working regular night or weekend shifts.