The PACU Registered Nurse provides critical, high-quality care to patients recovering from anesthesia by continuously monitoring vital signs, managing pain and post-anesthesia symptoms, and responding to urgent clinical needs in a fast-paced environment. Essential functions include advocating for patient rights, educating patients and families, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and collaborating with the healthcare team for safe transitions of care.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited program and hold current licensure in the State of Wisconsin, along with BLS certification upon hire. ACLS and PALS certifications must be achieved within six months, and previous PACU, CCU, or ER nursing experience is preferred.
The PACU Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing critical, high-quality care to patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical or procedural interventions. Working a fast-paced environment, the PACU RN performs continuous monitoring, manages pain and post-anesthesia symptoms, and responds to urgent clinical needs during the immediate post-operative period.
Hours
.6 FTE - 24 hours per week
8-hour shifts
Essential Job Functions
Advocate for patients’ rights, preferences, and needs, ensuring that they receive high-quality, compassionate care that is tailored to their individual circumstances
Project a professional demeanor and appearance while maintaining the confidentiality of the patient, coworkers, and the organization, as appropriate
Assess patient health problems and needs to develop, implement, and evaluate care in collaboration with healthcare team
Educate patients and their families on health conditions, medications, treatment care, and post surgical care
Ensure infection control protocols and safety standards are followed in all aspects of patient care
Promptly record all care information concisely, accurately, and completely
Respond to emergency situations using appropriate interventions
Promptly report and document any occurrences of unusual events, safety concerns, or incidents in accordance with organization policies and procedures
Participate in the department’s on-call rotation and respond promptly to call-ins to ensure continuous patient care and surgical support as needed
Continuously assess vital signs, airway, consciousness, pain level, and surgical site for stability following anesthesia
Manage airway, administer oxygen, suction as needed, and respond rapidly to changes in condition, including respiratory or cardiac complications
Administer prescribed medications and interventions to manage pain, nausea, and other post-operative symptoms; monitor effectiveness
Recognize and act upon early signs of post-operative complications or adverse reactions and report to anesthesia and provider promptly
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account
Tuition Reimbursement
401(k) Retirement Plan
Wellness Reimbursement
Accurately record assessments, interventions, medications administered, and patient responses in the medical record in a timely manner
Provide post-op instructions and emotional support; ensure patients and caregivers understand recovery expectations prior to transfer or discharge
Collaborate with anesthesia, surgical teams, and inpatient unit to ensure safe and efficient patient handoffs and transitions of care
Safety transfer patients to appropriate unit or discharge them per protocol once discharge criteria are met
Provides for accurate care and handling of specimens
Observes, checks, and monitors all equipment used during surgery to confirm it is functioning properly, removes any malfunctioning equipment from service, and reports it in the appropriate manner
Review postoperative instructions, prescriptions, and post-op instructions from the provider with patient and family
Assists in positioning and responding to the comfort and safety of the patient
May be cross-trained and assigned to other nursing departments within the hospital, with responsibility for carrying out the essential functions of the assigned role
Use the organization's secure messaging platform in accordance with departmental protocols, including timely receipt and responses to communications
Perform other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Medical Terminology
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems
Quality assurance and accreditation standards
Understanding of HIPAA regulations, patient confidentiality laws and patient rights
Effective English communication in verbal and written format
Quality work including attention to detail and accuracy
Carry out customer service standards
Basic computer proficiency
Carry out organization customer service standards
Prioritize tasks effectively through managing workload based on urgency and importance
Capacity to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Continuously learn and improve through staying up to date on job specific trends, policies, and new technologies
Demonstrates eligibility for employment in the U.S.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program required
Current licensure in the State of Wisconsin
BLS certification is required upon hire
Must be able to achieve ACLS and PALS certification within six months of hire
Previous PACU, CCU, or ER nursing experience is preferred
Must possess a cell phone that interfaces with the organization’s secure messaging system
Benefits
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
Health Savings Account with an employer contribution
Company paid life insurance
Free scrubs with laundry service
Free meals
PTO
401(k) retirement plan with 4% company match
Tuition reimbursement
Wellness reimbursement
Equal Employment Opportunity & Work Force Diversity
Our organization is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, parental status, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic testing results or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. This practice relates to all personnel matters such as compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, layoffs, etc. Furthermore, our organization is committed to going beyond the legal requirements of equal employment opportunity to take positive actions which ensure diversity in the workplace and result in a multi-cultural organization.
Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights [https://www.eeoc.gov/poster] notice from the Department of Labor.
