PACU Registered Nurse Full-Time 9:00a - 9:30p

Children's National Hospital

1d • $44 - $64 • Onsite

About The Position

The PACU Registered Nurse provides comprehensive care to a variety of patients in accordance with the legal scope of nursing practice, national and specialty nursing standards, hospital policies and procedures, and applicable laws and regulations. The RN is accountable for their own practice and serves as an independent practitioner and resource to staff in the patient care area. The role incorporates the healthcare team into patient-care planning and delivery, manages complex clinical problems, performs rapid patient assessments, and responds appropriately to emergencies. The RN demonstrates evidence-based practice through participation in unit projects and activities and develops relationships that support the health and well-being of the broader community.

Post-anesthesia responsibilities include managing postoperative airways and cardiopulmonary function, providing ventilation and pain interventions, managing regional and neuraxial anesthesia, and recognizing and addressing complications. The nurse also contributes to leadership, structural empowerment, professional practice, and safety initiatives, while providing respectful, family-centered care and maintaining clear documentation and communication.

The position is full-time, with a stated shift of 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., in the PACU at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. The listed pay range is $43.96–$63.99 per hour. A BSN is preferred. Candidates must have at least two years of PACU experience or related clinical nursing experience in a comparable setting, such as critical care or pediatric emergency care. A District of Columbia RN license, CPR, and PALS are required; CPN and CPAN certifications are preferred.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of PACU experience, or related clinical nursing experience in a comparable setting such as critical care or pediatric emergency care.
• Registered Nurse license in the District of Columbia.
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Strong airway management skills and knowledge of anesthetic agents.
• Strong organizational skills, adaptability to change, and ability to complete assignments on time.
• Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills for patient-care and unit or system issues.
• Ability to maintain collegial and respectful relationships with peers, physicians, and other departments.
• Ability to complete hospital and nursing orientation at Children’s National.
• Care practices based on benchmarks and evidence in the literature.

Nice To Haves

• BSN from an approved school of nursing.
• Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN).
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN).

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and manage postoperative patient airways, including breakthrough laryngospasms, and apply knowledge of anesthesia- and surgery-related airway changes.
• Perform manual intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV).
• Recognize relevant patient and family risk factors and make appropriate care decisions.
• Monitor cardiopulmonary function, airway patency, and oxygen saturation.
• Provide prompt care to reduce emergence delirium and maintain a safe environment while patients experience it.
• Evaluate and treat postoperative pain promptly with appropriate interventions.
• Manage epidural administration of local anesthetics and opioids, and care for patients with central neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks.
• Monitor for complications associated with analgesics and act promptly to minimize adverse incidents.
• Contribute independently or as a leader to Magnet redesignation through committees, task forces, or community outreach.
• Communicate and advocate to support the plan of care and patients’ needs, and suggest resolutions to system issues.
• Model escalation procedures, use the chain of command, and follow and reinforce handoff processes.
• Lead or support change and management decisions, and model empathy and helpfulness.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, initiate professional activities, review peers constructively, and promote safety standards, service excellence, education, and certification.
• Coordinate healthcare-team involvement, model professional teamwork, serve as a resource, and escalate concerns when appropriate.
• Analyze patient and family assessment data, complete the database and plan of care within required timeframes, and provide appropriate interventions for complex patients with changing needs.
• Prioritize and organize care, document to high practice standards, and anticipate and verify patient and family education needs through discharge.
• Provide exemplary patient- and family-centered care and contribute to patient satisfaction.
• Speak up about unsafe behavior or performance, validate information used for decisions and documentation, resolve uncertainty, communicate accurately and promptly, promote safety, and self-check using Stop, Think, Act, and Review.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
• Paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
• 401(k) plan.
• Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.
• Tuition assistance.
• Fitness resources.
• Employee assistance.
• Commuter benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed