Registered Nurse (RN) - Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Hartford Healthcare•New Britain, CT

About The Position

The Registered Nurse works in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, providing pre- and post-operative care. The 10-bed PACU supports patients across a variety of surgical services, including general surgery, robotics, urology, gynecology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, thoracic surgery, colorectal surgery, and trauma. The unit also manages recovery for some higher-acuity vascular surgery patients. Before surgery, the nurse prepares patients by initiating IVs, administering medications, providing patient education, and validating required documentation. After surgery, the nurse recovers patients from anesthesia and manages postoperative care in accordance with best-practice guidelines from the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN). The service provides 24/7 coverage, includes some on-call requirements, and has a 2:1 nurse-to-patient ratio. Candidates should have a positive outlook and a teamwork mentality.

Requirements

Current Connecticut RN license.
Graduation from an accredited nursing school.
BLS certification from the American Heart Association before the date of hire.
ACLS certification for external candidates.
Positive outlook and a teamwork mentality.

Nice To Haves

ICU experience is preferred; candidates with ED, step-down, or floor-level experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
BSN preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare patients for surgery by initiating IVs, administering medications, providing patient education, and validating required documentation.
Recover patients from anesthesia and manage postoperative care according to ASPAN best-practice guidelines.
Provide care to patients across the surgical services supported by the PACU, including some higher-acuity vascular surgery patients.
Participate in the PACU's 24/7 coverage, including some on-call requirements.