Registered Nurse PACU

HCA Healthcare•Austin, TX

About The Position

The PACU Registered Nurse provides immediate post-operative care to surgical patients. The role includes airway support, close monitoring of neurological and cardiac status, prompt response to complications or side effects, initial surgical-site wound care, and ensuring patient stability during recovery. The nurse collaborates with surgical and anesthesia teams and participates in a dynamic interdisciplinary care team. On-call availability during select non-business hours is required; details will be discussed during the interview. The position offers self/preferential scheduling posted four weeks in advance, supportive and visible leadership, staffing support from certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians, charge nurses, and an internal RN float pool, as well as rounding with unit leaders to hear staff suggestions about patient care. Nurses are expected to provide patient-centered care, use evidence-based practices, apply the nursing process and critical thinking, assess and monitor patients, document care and changes in condition, and educate patients and families about medical conditions, treatment, and follow-up. Heart Hospital of Austin is a 72-bed cardiovascular-care facility and a member of St. David's HealthCare. Its services include a 24-hour emergency department, six operating rooms (three hybrid), three catheterization labs, electrophysiology services, and programs in executive wellness and advanced heart failure. The hospital uses therapies including ECMO and LVAD and participates in a large non-academic cardiovascular research program.

Requirements

Registered Nurse (RN).
Associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree in nursing.
One year of experience required.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) must be obtained within 90 days of employment start date.
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date.

Responsibilities

Provide immediate post-operative care to surgical patients.
Manage airway support and monitor patients’ neurological and cardiac status.
Respond promptly to complications and side effects.
Provide initial wound care to surgical sites and ensure patient stability during recovery.
Collaborate with surgical, anesthesia, provider, therapy, and other interdisciplinary team members.
Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care using evidence-based practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
Apply the nursing process, critical thinking, scientific judgment, technical skills, and leadership to deliver safe nursing care independently.
Assess patient condition, monitor patients throughout the shift, and thoroughly document changes and care provided.
Educate patients and families or caregivers about medical conditions, treatment, and follow-up measures.
Provide on-call availability during select non-business hours.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health, and telemedicine coverage.
Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services.
Paid time off and paid family leave.
Long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence.
401(k) plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay, based on years of service.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Flexible spending accounts.
Tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships, and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing.
Fertility and family-building benefits and adoption assistance.
Life insurance and supplemental health protection plans.
Preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support, and financial wellbeing counseling.
Auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection, and consumer discounts.