PACU Registered Nurse
State College, Pennsylvania
Mount Nittany Medical Center

Registered Nurse (PACU) - Contract

Location: State College, Pennsylvania
Employment Type: Contract (13 weeks)
Shift: Days (2-hour shift plus 2 twelve-hour shifts or 3 twelve-hour shifts; 36-40 hours per week) with a call component

Job Summary

Provide professional nursing care in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) during Phase I and Phase II recovery, ensuring safe transition of patients from anesthesia to less acute care. Care for patients ranging from pediatric to geriatric using the American Society of Post Anesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) Standards.

Essential Functions

• Perform initial patient assessments, prioritize care based on severity, anesthesia reports, and medical records.
• Develop and coordinate individualized care plans considering anesthetic agents, surgical specialty, and potential post-anesthesia complications.
• Implement nursing interventions including airway management, oxygen saturation maintenance, and pain management.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and healthcare team members.
• Ensure emergency supplies and equipment are available and functional.
• Continuously evaluate patient progress toward PACU discharge criteria and revise care plans as needed.
• Provide thorough post-operative reports to receiving nurses and ensure safe patient transport.
• Maintain ongoing knowledge, skills, and competencies in post-anesthesia nursing, including unit competencies and current trends.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Pennsylvania
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum of 1 year of PACU (Post Anesthesia Care) experience, including experience within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification issued by the American Heart Association

Skills and Abilities

• Strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to function effectively as a team member and liaison between patients and staff.
• Demonstrates tact, sensitivity, sound judgment, and professionalism when interacting with patients, families, and coworkers.
• High level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament in stressful situations.

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Hours per Week

• Approximately 36 hours per week