PACU Registered Nurse
New Orleans, Louisiana
Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans

Registered Nurse - PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit)

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Provide care for patients in pre-op, Phase I, and Phase II recovery in a high-volume surgical/procedural unit.
• Support all major surgical services except critical care patients.
• Float to pediatric PACU as needed.
• Patient population includes pediatric and adult patients across 34 ORs on two floors, including specialties such as Endoscopy, Interventional Radiology, and Pulmonary Lab.
• Patient ratio: 1 nurse to 2 patients.
• Work schedule includes day shifts (3 shifts of 12 hours each, 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM) with 2-3 scheduled weekends per contract.
• Must be comfortable participating in emergency team assignments as directed by unit management during emergency events.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana.
• Minimum of 1 year of recent experience in Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Current ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Current PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification.
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system.

Patient Care & Unit Details

• Care for patients undergoing regional anesthesia and ECT.
• Unit includes pre-op, Phase I and II recovery areas for pediatric and adult patients.
• Equipment used includes Hoyer lift, bladder scanner, and Accuvein.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Current/valid Driver’s License or government photo ID (color copy required).
• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, updated annually.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start and updated monthly.
• Education verification or transcript/diploma if verification cannot be completed.
• Sex offender search required within 30 days of start and updated monthly.
• License verification and NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start.
• Competency exam specific to specialty, completed within 1 year prior to start, minimum 80%, updated annually.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification required (can be completed onsite during orientation week).
• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health.
• Fit mask testing (N95) within 1 year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed.
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start; instant screenings not accepted.
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tdap (every 10 years) for relevant units.
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: positive IGG titer or completed vaccine series.
  • Hepatitis B: positive antibody titer, completed vaccine series, or booster after negative titer; declination allowed with signed form.
  • Varicella: positive IGG titer, completed vaccine series, or booster after negative titer.
• Negative TB test (PPD, Qgold, or Tspot) within 12 months; chest X-ray and TB questionnaire required if positive.
• Seasonal flu vaccination, declination, or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 - Mar 31).

Additional Notes

• Candidates must be willing to float to pediatric PACU as needed.
• Emergency team participation may require staying at the facility beyond scheduled hours during emergency events.
• Photo for badge must be a recent, full-color, passport-style photo without obstructions or filters, uploaded within 24 hours of booking.
• Employment application and updated skills checklist required.
• Must provide 7 years of employment history with explanations for gaps.

This position is ideal for experienced RNs comfortable with surgical and post-anesthesia care in a fast-paced environment, including pediatric patients, and who are flexible to respond to emergency situations as needed.