Travel Nurse RN - PACU - Post Anesthesia Care
Akron, OH
First Connect Health
5x8 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

PACU RN (Interview Required) – Akron, OH

Contract Duration: 13 Weeks (06/21/2026 – 09/19/2026)

Shift: Days | 06:00 – 14:30 (8-Hour Shifts)

Reason for Opening: FMLA/LOA Coverage

Job Summary

Seeking a high-acuity Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) RN for its main Akron campus. This position requires an expert level of vigilance as you transition patients from general, regional, or local anesthesia to a stable state. You will be responsible for managing Phase I and Phase II recovery, identifying immediate post-operative complications, and ensuring safe airway management. Given that an interview is required, the facility is looking for clinicians with strong critical thinking skills and the ability to act independently under stressful conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Post-Op Stabilization: Monitor patients immediately following surgery, focusing on neurological status, vital signs, and surgical site integrity.
• Airway Management: Expertly manage and monitor patients transitioning from intubation/mechanical ventilation to spontaneous respiration.
• Pain & Nausea Control: Administer and titrate IV analgesics and antiemetics to ensure patient comfort while monitoring for respiratory depression.
• Complication Recognition: Rapidly identify and intervene in cases of malignant hyperthermia, hemorrhage, or adverse anesthetic reactions.
• Delegation & Coordination: Collaborate with anesthesiologists and surgical teams to determine patient readiness for transfer or discharge.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 2+ years of recent PACU experience is required for consideration.
• Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program (CCNE or ACEN).
• Licensure: Active Ohio (OH) State RN License.
• Certifications: * AHA BLS (Required).
  • AHA ACLS (Required upon hire for experienced RNs).
  • PALS (Highly preferred for pediatric recovery).
• Physical Demands: Must be able to exert "Heavy" physical force (50–100 lbs) occasionally for patient transfers and repositioning.

Unit & Facility Details

• Address: Akron, OH 44304.
• Department: PACU (61560).
• On-Call: Yes, on-call rotation is a requirement for this position.
• Environment: Exposure to ionizing radiation and hazardous clinical substances is possible; standard PPE and safety protocols are strictly enforced.

Clinical Spotlight: The Aldrete Score

In the PACU, your primary tool for determining discharge readiness is the Aldrete Score. This scoring system evaluates five key areas: activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation. A patient generally requires a score of 9 or 10 to be safely moved to a lower level of care.