Registered Nurse - Surgical Service Line - PACU/ASU/SDPU

Veterans Health Administration • Pittsburgh, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse is assigned to the Surgical Service Line, including the Same Day Procedure Unit (SDPU), Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and Ambulatory Surgical Unit (ASU), at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s University Drive Campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The nurse provides comprehensive perioperative care across the patient care continuum and is accountable to the Associate of Patient Care Services (ADPCS), as well as the assigned rating and approving supervisors.

The role includes pre-procedure assessment and education; verification of required documentation and testing; medication administration and intravenous therapy; preparation for surgery or procedures; post-anesthesia monitoring and recovery assessment; pain management; discharge planning; and patient and family education. The nurse collaborates with anesthesia providers, surgeons, and interdisciplinary team members to provide safe, high-quality care before, during, and after procedures. The position requires recognizing and responding to changes in patient condition, monitoring recovery from anesthesia and sedation, maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic health records, and following applicable ASPAN standards, VHA/CHA directives, and local procedures. On-call responsibilities may be required.

The RN leads nursing care for patients with complex needs using the nursing process and ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. The role applies clinical judgment to staff planning, decision-making, and evaluation of outcomes; leads within the immediate practice setting; addresses patient experience and care coordination concerns; advocates for patients, families, and caregivers; serves as a resource for ethical issues; and implements high-reliability principles and I CARE values to improve consistency and outcomes.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the education pathways and exceptions described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the Graduate Nurse Technician exception described in the announcement.
• Meet the education, experience, and grade-determination criteria applicable to the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment screening and physical evaluation, and meet background, onboarding, identification, and vaccination requirements.
• Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Two to three years of critical care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive perioperative nursing care in the SDPU, PACU, and ASU.
• Conduct pre-procedure assessments and education, and verify required documentation and testing.
• Administer medications and intravenous therapy, and prepare patients for surgery or procedures.
• Monitor patients after anesthesia, assess recovery, manage pain, plan discharge, and educate patients and families.
• Collaborate with anesthesia providers, surgeons, and interdisciplinary team members to support safe, high-quality care.
• Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition and monitor recovery from anesthesia and sedation.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation in the electronic health record and comply with applicable standards, directives, and procedures.
• Lead nursing care for patients with complex needs using the nursing process and ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
• Apply clinical judgment to guide staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluation of outcomes within the immediate practice setting.
• Address patient experience concerns, including care coordination, timeliness, process issues, dissatisfaction, and environment-of-care concerns.
• Incorporate patient, family, and caregiver knowledge, values, and beliefs into care without judgment or discrimination.
• Advocate for patients, families, and caregivers, and serve as a resource for resolving ethical issues.
• Lead implementation of high-reliability principles and I CARE values to improve care consistency and patient outcomes.
• Perform on-call duties as required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Compressed or flexible scheduling is available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree