Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

About the Role

Provides leadership and direction to the patient care team in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Performs age-specific physical, psychological, and social assessments, formulates nursing diagnoses, and develops a plan of care with individualized treatment strategies for the post-anesthesia setting.

Responsibilities

• Completes and documents a thorough and accurate PACU admission assessment; utilizes critical judgment to analyze patient data and develop an appropriate plan of care.
• Implements a plan of care or care pathway based on patient assessment, physician and anesthesia orders, and procedure-specific criteria in a prioritized and timely manner.
• Demonstrates and maintains knowledge and skills to meet physical, psycho-social, spiritual, cultural, and age-appropriate needs of each patient.
• Performs all aspects of nursing care in routine and emergency situations; communicates changes in patient condition to physicians and staff promptly.
• Administers medications and treatments according to policy, procedure, and protocol; complies with written protocols (e.g., pain management, conscious sedation, skin care, restraints, abuse, parental bonding).
• Evaluates and documents patient progress toward outcomes; addresses discharge and ongoing educational needs related to treatment, procedures, disease process, equipment, medications, and follow-up care.
• Communicates with patient family members in a timely manner while patients are in PACU.
• Reports outcome progress and patient-specific information to responsible caregivers at shift changes or upon transfer.
• Demonstrates competence in delegation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution; evaluates care given by team members and provides feedback.
• Supervises team members, maintains accountability for standard of care, and acts as a resource to others.
• Organizes time efficiently, prioritizes tasks, and maintains an organized work environment; collaborates effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships with patients, families, team members, and co-workers; assists in other surgical services departments as needed.
• Applies evidence-based practice and scientific knowledge to nursing care, ensuring delivery based on patient age-specific and clinical needs as described in the department’s Scope of Service.
• Adheres to the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses and professional nursing standards defined in the professional practice model.
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing.

Qualifications

• No prior experience required.
• State-specific licensure and certifications:
  • Illinois: Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) – American Heart Association (AHA), Registered Professional Nurse (RN) – Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and one of the following: Advanced Life Support (ALS) – AHA, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – AHA, or NRP Essentials – AAP.
  • Missouri: Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) – AHA, Registered Nurse (RN) – Missouri Division of Professional Registration or issued by a Compact State, and one of the following: Advanced Life Support (ALS) – AHA, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – AAP, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – AHA, or NRP Essentials – AAP.
  • Oklahoma: Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) – AHA, Registered Nurse (RN) issued by a Compact State or Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN), and one of the following: Advanced Life Support (ALS) – AHA, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – AAP, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – AHA, or NRP Essentials – AAP.
  • Wisconsin: Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) – AHA, Registered Nurse (RN) issued by a Compact State or Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, and one of the following: Advanced Life Support (ALS) – AHA, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – AAP, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – AHA, or NRP Essentials – AAP.

Physical Requirements

• Constant: Use of speech for oral communication; standing and walking; sitting, reaching, and keyboard use/data entry; vision and depth perception for near and far distances; ability to identify and distinguish colors; use of smell to detect odors; use of hearing to receive oral communication, distinguish body sounds, and hear alarms or malfunctioning machinery.
• Frequent: Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.
• Occasional: Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs; lifting or moving patients; bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting, gripping, and repetitive foot/leg or hand/arm movements; driving.
• Rare: Crawling and running.

Schedule

Day Shift

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

Benefits

• Paid Parental Leave: One week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).
• Flexible Payment Options: Voluntary benefit through DailyPay for eligible hourly team members to access earned, unpaid base pay before payday (fees may apply).
• Upfront Tuition Coverage: Provided through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.