PACU Registered Nurse
Green Bay, WI
Olaro
5x8 hrs, Days

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 in the same building:

  • Main PACU: 33 pre/post rooms, 10 Phase I PACU bays (2nd floor)
  • East PACU: 33 pre/post rooms, 17 Phase I PACU bays (1st floor)
• Average combined patient volume: 60-80 patients per day
• Patient population includes pediatric and adult inpatients, outpatients, and observation cases

Patient Types & Common Diagnoses

• 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 care for intubated patients or assist with intubation in PACU (vented/ICU level patients usually go 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
• Certifications:

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

Skills & Responsibilities

• Float regularly between Phase I and Phase II Recovery in both Main and East PACU units
• Assist with blood sugar checks, IV removals, surgical site prep, cleaning, and restocking (collaborate with CNA/LPN staff)
• Work collaboratively with charge nurses, management, hospitalists, respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists/CRNAs, and surgeons
• Use of technology including EPIC EMR, Alaris IV pumps, and Pyxis medication dispensing system

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
• Scrub attire: Any solid color, professional, no logos or graphics
• Free parking available

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of Phase I/Phase II PACU experience required
• First-time travelers may be considered if they have extensive PACU experience

Additional Notes

• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required but extensive PACU experience is necessary for first-time travelers
• Support available includes charge RN, management, CNA/LPN float staff, hospitalists, RTs, anesthesiologists/CRNAs, and surgeons

This position is ideal for experienced PACU RNs looking for a contract role in a busy surgical recovery environment with a diverse patient population.