Travel PACU Registered Nurse
Wilmington, NC
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (PACU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Overview

• Role: Registered Nurse in Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Shift: 12-hour days (6:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
• Patient Ratio: 1:2
• Call Requirement: Once every four weeks
• Float Requirement: May float to areas with overflow patients, typically surgical short stay
• Weekend Requirement: Varies
• Storm/Hurricane Team: Contract staff expected to work during catastrophic events or disasters

Experience & Requirements

• Minimum Specialty Experience: 2 years (must have ICU experience)
• Prior Travel Experience: Required
• Skills:

  • Phase 1-2 PACU experience
  • ICU experience (screening includes 1-2 ratings on ICU checklist)
  • Recovery of surgical patients in ICU setting (PACU RN may recover patients in STICU)
• Certifications Required:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

Preferred Qualifications

• Charge Nurse experience
• Conscious Sedation
• FHM (Fetal Heart Monitoring)
• ICP (Intracranial Pressure) monitoring
• Telemetry
• Ventilator experience
• Prior ICU background before PACU
• Pediatric experience

Unit & Patient Details

• Unit: Phase 1 Recovery Unit
• Patient Types:

  • Vascular and Endovascular
  • Neurosurgery and Orthopedics
  • Gynecology and Urology
  • General and Bariatric Surgery
  • Plastics and ENT
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric surgeries (Tonsil & Adenoid, Ears, Hernias, Cleft Lip/Palate)
  • Phase II recovery when unit is full
• Special Procedures:

  • Care for patients post-anesthesia from OR, EP Lab, Endo, IR, MRI
  • Recovery of ICU patients before admission to units
• Special Equipment:

  • Cardiac monitors (BP, heart rate, respirations, O2 saturation)
  • Arterial lines, ICP monitoring
  • Dopplers for vascular checks
  • Fetal heart monitor
  • EKOS, SCD pumps, wound vacs

Systems & Orientation

• Documentation & Medication Systems: Pyxis, EPIC, Perfect Serve
• Scheduling: Schedule Committee
• Orientation: Comprehensive, individualized based on experience and skill level
• Dress Code: Navy scrubs

Additional Important Information

• RTO (Return to Office) after booking is not allowed and cannot be worked out onsite; excessive call-offs or RTO may lead to cancellation
• Background checks and verifications required within 90 days of start (criminal, education, state-specific searches)
• Health requirements include:

  • Physical exam within 1 year of start
  • Fit mask testing (N95 or PAPR training) within 1 year
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray as applicable
  • Drug screening within 30 days of start
  • Immunizations and titers for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption
• Mandatory facility-specific documents and trainings including confidentiality agreement, hospital policies, medication safety, and orientation modules
• Candidates must complete online education modules prior to start, especially if there is a break in service over 30 days
• Must be prepared to complete competency exams including medication test, dysrhythmia/EKG competency, and color blindness test as applicable

Summary

This is a 13-week travel contract for an experienced Registered Nurse with at least 2 years of specialty experience including ICU background, required prior travel experience, and certifications in ACLS, BLS, and PALS. The role involves working in a fast-paced PACU environment with a variety of surgical and ICU recovery patients, requiring strong clinical skills and flexibility to float to overflow areas. Orientation and ongoing competency requirements are comprehensive to ensure readiness for this challenging role.