Registered Nurse (Post Anesthesia Care Unit)

Quick Facts

• Role: Registered Nurse in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Focus: Post-operative, anesthesia-related patient care and monitoring

Description

Provide age-specific, evidence-based postoperative nursing care in the PACU, integrating knowledge of anesthesia physiology and surgical interventions. You will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care, administer medications per policy, and recognize contraindications to anesthesia or surgery. Coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team to support patient education, self-management, and safe outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Assess, prepare, and monitor patients for procedures (including assistance with peripheral nerve blocks)
• Administer medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines
• Perform clinical assessments and identify contraindications for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention
• Coordinate patient education and self-management needs across the care continuum
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes
• Provide competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients
• Integrate biopsychosocial concepts and basic critical thinking into technically competent practice

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (or limited non-citizen appointment per policy)
• English language proficiency for direct patient care
• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing program (ACEN or CCNE) or meet approved equivalency pathways
• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN licensure
• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation
• Background/security investigation completion
• Complete online onboarding process (including I-9)
• Drug screening (urinalysis) if assigned to a testing-designated position; refusal results in denial
• Selective Service registration (for eligible males)
• Seasonal influenza vaccination program participation

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards
• 50 days of paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays)
• Traditional federal pension with vesting and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions
• Health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options
• Federal benefits that can extend into retirement
• Monday–Friday schedule with rotating start times (8-hour shifts)
• No telework; not a virtual position