Travel Nurse RN - PACU - Post Anesthesia Care
Phoenix, AZ
Med Ninjas
4x10 hrs, Days

Job Descrption 

we seeking an experienced and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) – PACU to provide high-quality nursing care to patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical and procedural interventions. The PACU RN is responsible for monitoring patients during the immediate post-anesthesia recovery period, identifying changes in patient condition, managing pain and nausea, and ensuring patients meet established criteria for transfer or discharge.

The ideal candidate will have strong critical-thinking skills, excellent assessment abilities, and experience caring for patients in a fast-paced perioperative or critical-care environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to patients recovering from general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care.

• Perform frequent assessments of airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, vital signs, pain, and level of consciousness.

• Closely monitor patients for post-anesthesia complications and promptly initiate appropriate interventions.

• Manage post-operative pain, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, and other common recovery concerns.

• Administer medications, IV fluids, blood products, and other treatments according to physician orders and hospital policies.

• Maintain airway patency and provide oxygen therapy and other respiratory support as indicated.

• Recognize and respond rapidly to changes in patient condition, including respiratory compromise, hemodynamic instability, and adverse reactions.

• Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, perioperative staff, and other members of the healthcare team.

• Provide clear and accurate handoff reports to receiving units and ensure continuity of care.

• Evaluate patients using established PACU discharge and transfer criteria.

• Educate patients and families regarding post-operative care, pain management, medications, and discharge instructions when applicable.

• Accurately document assessments, interventions, medications, patient responses, and disposition.

• Maintain compliance with hospital policies, infection prevention standards, patient-safety requirements, and regulatory guidelines.

• Participate in quality-improvement initiatives and maintain professional nursing competencies.

Required Qualifications

• Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Arizona or compact-state eligibility.

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

• Current BLS certification.

• Current ACLS certification.

• Minimum of 2 year of recent RN PACU experience preferred.