PACU Registered Nurse
Green Bay, WI
PRIDE Health
5x8 hrs, Evenings
Referral Bonus

Job Opportunity: PACU Registered Nurse (RN)

Employment Type: Contractor
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Facility Overview

• Level II Trauma Center with Level III NICU and Maternity Center, Primary Stroke Center
• PACU consists of two units (Main and East PACU) in the same building
• Combined average census: 60-80 patients per day
• Beds:

  • Main PACU: 33 pre/post rooms, 10 Phase I PACU bays
  • East PACU: 33 pre/post rooms, 17 Phase I PACU bays

Patient Population & Common Diagnoses

• Inpatient, outpatient, and observation patients, including pediatrics and adults
• Surgical specialties include general, plastics, urology, GI, bariatrics, gynecology, minor vascular, neurosurgery (spine, cranies), robotics, ophthalmology, orthopedics, cardiothoracic (thoracotomies/pericardial windows, no open hearts), ENT, endovascular, fistulas, bronchoscopy, post-cardiac cath, post-interventional radiology/neuro IR
• Occasionally intubated patients or assistance with intubation in PACU; vented/ICU-level patients typically transferred to ICU post-op

Patient Ratios

• Pre-op: 1 nurse to 3 patients
• Phase I: 1 nurse to 2 patients
• Phase II: 1 nurse to 3 patients

Required Qualifications

• License: Registered Nurse (RN) license required
• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
  • CAPA or CPAN certification (either accepted) — required
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Phase I/Phase II PACU nursing
• Experience recovering post-cardiac cath, bronchoscopy, and interventional radiology patients highly preferred (manager approval required if minimal or no experience)
• Ability to read and interpret cardiac rhythms and manage cardiac drips
• Experience providing discharge instructions in Phase I and Phase II recovery
• Familiarity with hard stops including arterial lines, TR bands, chest tubes, continuous bladder irrigation (CBI), and EPIC electronic medical records system

Skills & Responsibilities

• Provide care for a variety of surgical patients across multiple specialties
• Float regularly between Phase I and Phase II recovery areas in both Main and East PACU units
• Collaborate with CNAs, LPNs, charge nurses, management, hospitalists, respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists/CRNAs, and surgeons
• Assist with blood sugar checks, IV removals, surgical site prep, cleaning, and restocking (shared responsibility among staff)

Orientation & Scheduling

• Orientation includes New Employee Orientation (NEO) plus 2 eight-hour shifts in the department
• Set schedule, Monday through Friday (hours vary by requisition)
• No weekend rotation, on-call, or holiday work required
• No more than 4 days of requested time off (RTO) approved

Technology & Equipment

• EMR: EPIC (required)
• IV Pumps: Alaris
• Medication dispensing: Pyxis

Additional Information

• Scrub attire: Any solid color, professional; no logos, graphics, or designs
• Free parking available
• Candidates previously staffed in this PACU will not be accepted
• First-time travelers may be considered if they have extensive PACU experience

Note: Prior travel experience is not explicitly required but extensive PACU experience is preferred for first-time travelers.