PACU Registered Nurse

Surgery Partners Careers•Altoona, WI

About The Position

The PACU Registered Nurse (RN) provides critical, high-quality care to patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical or procedural interventions. In a fast-paced environment, the nurse continuously monitors patients, manages pain and post-anesthesia symptoms, and responds to urgent clinical needs during the immediate post-operative period. This position is .8 FTE, or 32 hours per week, working 8-hour shifts, and participates in the department’s on-call rotation. The nurse may also be cross-trained and assigned to other nursing departments within the hospital.

Requirements

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program.
Current licensure in the State of Wisconsin.
BLS certification required upon hire.
Must be able to achieve ACLS and PALS certification within six months of hire.
Demonstrates eligibility for employment in the United States.
Must possess a cell phone that interfaces with the organization’s secure messaging system.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Knowledge of electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
Knowledge of quality assurance and accreditation standards.
Understanding of HIPAA regulations, patient confidentiality laws, and patient rights.
Effective verbal and written communication in English.
Quality-focused work with attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to meet customer service standards.
Basic computer proficiency.
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage workload based on urgency and importance.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Commitment to ongoing learning and staying current with job-specific trends, policies, and technologies.
Ability to successfully demonstrate organization-wide performance review competencies.

Nice To Haves

Previous PACU, CCU, or ER nursing experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Advocate for patients’ rights, preferences, and needs, providing compassionate, individualized care.
Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance and protect the confidentiality of patients, coworkers, and the organization.
Assess patient health problems and needs, and develop, implement, and evaluate care in collaboration with the healthcare team.
Educate patients and families about health conditions, medications, treatment, and post-surgical care.
Follow infection control protocols and safety standards in all aspects of patient care.
Record care information promptly, concisely, accurately, and completely.
Respond to emergency situations using appropriate interventions.
Promptly report and document unusual events, safety concerns, or incidents according to organizational policies and procedures.
Participate in the department’s on-call rotation and respond promptly to call-ins to support continuous patient care and surgical services as needed.
Continuously assess vital signs, airway, consciousness, pain level, and surgical site for stability following anesthesia.
Manage the airway, administer oxygen, suction as needed, and respond rapidly to changes in condition, including respiratory or cardiac complications.
Administer prescribed medications and interventions for pain, nausea, and other post-operative symptoms, and monitor their effectiveness.
Recognize early signs of post-operative complications or adverse reactions and promptly report them to anesthesia and the provider.
Document assessments, interventions, medications, and patient responses accurately and in a timely manner in the medical record.
Provide post-operative instructions and emotional support, ensuring patients and caregivers understand recovery expectations before transfer or discharge.
Collaborate with anesthesia, surgical teams, and inpatient units to ensure safe and efficient handoffs and transitions of care.
Safely transfer patients to an appropriate unit or discharge them according to protocol once discharge criteria are met.
Provide for accurate care and handling of specimens.
Observe, check, and monitor equipment used during surgery; remove malfunctioning equipment from service and report it appropriately.
Review the provider’s post-operative instructions and prescriptions with patients and families.
Assist with patient positioning and respond to patient comfort and safety needs.
Carry out the essential functions of other assigned nursing roles if cross-trained and assigned to other hospital nursing departments.
Use the organization’s secure messaging platform according to departmental protocols, including timely receipt of and responses to communications.
Perform other duties as assigned.