Local Contract Nurse RN - PACU - Post Anesthesia Care
Akron, OH
Encode INC
3x12 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

Job Description: PACU Registered Nurse (RN)
 

Organization: Summa Health
Facility/Location: Akron Campus, 141 N. Forge St., Akron, OH 44304
Department: PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit)
Shift: 07:00 AM – 07:30 PM (Day Shift)
Start/End Date: 06/28/2026 – 09/26/2026
 

Position Summary

The PACU Registered Nurse is responsible for delivering high-quality perioperative recovery care to patients following surgical procedures. The RN applies clinical judgment grounded in evidence-based practice and nursing theory to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered care during the post-anesthesia recovery phase.

The role involves coordinating, delivering, and delegating nursing care while optimizing patient outcomes and supporting families through the recovery process. The RN ensures adherence to hospital standards, regulatory requirements, and specialty-specific competencies.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care to post-anesthesia patients in the PACU setting
• Monitor and assess patients’ post-operative recovery status and vital signs
• Manage airway support, pain control, and hemodynamic stability
• Respond promptly to post-surgical complications and emergencies
• Administer medications and IV therapies as ordered
• Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and interdisciplinary teams
• Document patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes accurately
• Ensure safe transfer of patients to inpatient units or discharge
• Maintain compliance with infection control and patient safety standards

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate of a nursing program accredited by CCNE or ACEN

Licensure:

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Ohio

Experience:

• Minimum 2+ years of recent PACU experience required

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) – Required
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – Required within 6 weeks of hire (or current upon hire)
• Additional certifications may be required (PALS, NIH Stroke Scale, etc.)

Skills & Competencies

• Strong critical care and post-anesthesia recovery knowledge
• Ability to respond effectively in high-acuity and emergency situations
• Excellent assessment, clinical judgment, and documentation skills
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities
• Ability to manage multiple patients in a fast-paced environment
• Patient-centered care with respect for dignity, diversity, and privacy

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to lift and move up to 50–100 lbs occasionally
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and patient handling
• Exposure to infectious diseases, bodily fluids, and hazardous substances
• Ability to work under pressure in stressful clinical conditions
• Normal visual and auditory acuity required