PACU Registered Nurse Full-Time 6:00a - 6:30p

Children's National Hospital

1d • $44 - $64 • Onsite

About The Position

The PACU Registered Nurse provides comprehensive postoperative care to a variety of patients and is accountable for independent nursing practice within the legal scope of practice, applicable laws and regulations, professional standards, and Children’s National policies. The nurse collaborates with the healthcare team and community, serves as a resource to staff, manages complex clinical problems, rapidly assesses patients, and responds appropriately to emergencies. Evidence-based practice is demonstrated through participation in unit projects and activities.

In the post-anesthesia setting, the nurse monitors cardiopulmonary function, airway patency, and oxygen saturation; evaluates and manages postoperative airways and complications; and provides interventions for pain, delirium, and complications related to analgesics. The role also involves coordinating care with patients and families, supporting safety and service excellence, contributing to nursing practice and organizational initiatives, and maintaining professional requirements.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of PACU experience, or related clinical nursing experience in a comparable setting such as critical care or pediatric emergency department.
• 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 build collegial and respectful relationships with peers, physicians, and other departments.
• Ability to complete hospital and nursing orientation at Children’s National.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an approved school of nursing.
• Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) certification.
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) certification.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and manage postoperative airways, including breakthrough laryngospasms, and apply knowledge of airway changes associated with anesthesia and surgery.
• Perform manual intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV).
• Monitor cardiopulmonary function, airway patency, and oxygen saturation.
• Recognize risk factors and make appropriate care decisions for patients and families.
• Provide prompt care to minimize emergence delirium and maintain a safe environment for affected patients.
• Evaluate and treat postoperative pain promptly with appropriate interventions.
• Manage epidural administration of local anesthetics and opioids, as well as patients with central neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks.
• Monitor for complications associated with analgesics and act promptly to minimize adverse incidents.
• Contribute to Magnet redesignation through involvement or leadership in committees, task forces, and community outreach.
• Communicate and advocate for patient needs, contribute to care planning, and suggest resolutions to system issues.
• Use escalation procedures and the chain of command; follow established handoff processes and address inconsistent handoff practices.
• Help implement change and support management decisions; model empathy and respectful collaboration.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, initiate professional activities that enhance nursing practice, and participate in peer evaluations with constructive feedback.
• Promote national safety and service excellence standards, education, certification, teamwork, and professional conduct; serve as a resource and escalate issues when appropriate.
• Analyze patient and family assessment data and complete the database and plan of care within required timeframes.
• Prioritize and organize care for complex patients with rapidly changing needs, and document according to high standards of practice.
• Anticipate and address patient and family education needs throughout the stay and before discharge.
• Promote patient and family satisfaction through attentive care.
• Speak up about unsafe behavior or performance, verify information used for decisions and documentation, and pause to resolve uncertainty.
• Communicate accurately, clearly, and promptly, promote safety for patients, families, visitors, and coworkers, and self-check performance 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