Travel Nurse Level III RN - PACU - Post Anesthesia Care
Tahlequah, OK
Encode INC
5x8 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

Level 3 Registered Nurse – PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit)

Position: Level 3 Registered Nurse – PACU
Start Date: April 6, 2026
End Date: July 4, 2026
Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
On-Call: Once per week + one weekend per month
Environment: Busy PACU / Operating Room support

Position Summary

The PACU Registered Nurse (RN) provides specialized post-anesthesia nursing care for patients recovering from surgical procedures. The RN monitors patients during the immediate post-operative period, ensuring safe recovery from anesthesia and coordinating care with surgical and anesthesia teams.

This role requires strong clinical judgment, the ability to respond quickly to complications, and experience working in a fast-paced surgical environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide post-anesthesia care to patients recovering from surgical procedures.
• Monitor patients’ vital signs, airway status, and neurological responses following anesthesia.
• Assess patients for complications such as respiratory distress, bleeding, or adverse reactions to anesthesia.
• Administer medications, IV therapy, and pain management treatments as ordered by physicians.
• Maintain a patient-to-nurse ratio of 1:4 (maximum 1:6) while ensuring safe patient care.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and operating room staff for coordinated patient care.
• Accurately document patient status, nursing interventions, and recovery progress in the electronic health record.
• Utilize Cerner electronic medical record system for patient documentation and care management.
• Provide patient and family education regarding post-operative care and recovery instructions.
• Respond to emergency situations and provide advanced life support if required.

Required Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of PACU or critical care nursing experience
• 5+ years preferred
• Experience working in busy surgical or hospital PACU environments

Licensure

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license (State or Compact License)

Required Certifications

• BLS – Basic Life Support
• ACLS – Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
• PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Certifications are commonly issued by the American Heart Association.

Required Skills

• PACU recovery and post-anesthesia monitoring
• Airway management and respiratory monitoring
• Pain management and IV medication administration
• Ability to recognize and respond to post-operative complications
• Experience using Cerner
• Strong communication and teamwork skills