PACU Registered Nurse
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Berkeley Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU

Location: Martinsburg, West Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

Seeking a PACU Registered Nurse with ICU experience. The position involves working in a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) that includes Phase 1 PACU and Phase 2 Same-Day Surgery (SDS) recovery areas.

Unit Details

• Unit: PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) and Same-Day Surgery (SDS)
• Beds: 9 PACU bays, 16 SDS beds
• Phases: Phase 1 PACU & Phase 2 SDS
• Patient Types: All surgical cases except open heart; ICU patients may be held in PACU for up to 1 hour during weekdays; cranial surgery patients remain in PACU.

Work Environment

• Nurse-to-Patient Ratios:

  • Phase 1: 1 nurse to 2 patients
  • Phase 2 (SDS): 1 nurse to 5 patients
• Shifts: 8, 10, and 12-hour shifts available, primarily day and evening. No self-scheduling for travelers; block scheduling possible if it meets unit needs.
• Charge Nurse: Yes, from 7 AM to 7 PM, may take patient assignments if needed.
• Weekend Requirement: Weekend call once per month (Saturday or Sunday, not both) from 8 AM to 8 AM.
• Call Requirement: One weeknight call per week from 8 PM to 8 AM.
• Floating: No floating required.
• Orientation: 3 shifts of floor-specific orientation.
• Scrubs: Navy blue scrubs required; not provided.

Clinical Support & Equipment

• EMR System: EPIC
• Telemetry: Phillips central monitors; RNs read strips but do not interpret (Anesthesia interprets).
• Ventilators: Yes, including BiPAP, CPAP, and High Flow oxygen.
• Respiratory Therapy: RT available 24/7, manages ventilated patients in PACU and OR.
• Hospitalist: In-house 24/7.
• Pharmacy: On-site 24/7 with Omnicell medication dispensing.
• IV Team: Not available.
• Nurse Aides: Not utilized.

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support) - AHA
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) - AHA
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) - AHA

Experience Requirements

• Specialty Experience: 2-3 years of PACU nursing experience required.
• Travel Experience: 2-3 previous travel assignments preferred.
• Preferred Experience: Orthopedic and neurological surgical experience is a plus.

Additional Information

• ICU experience is important due to patient acuity and occasional ICU patient recovery in PACU.
• Nurses titrate vasopressors and sedatives in PACU.
• Must be able to take 4-6 call shifts per 4-week period.
• Background checks must be disclosed at time of submission.
• Driver’s license must be from outside a 50-mile radius of the facility.

Summary

This is a contract RN position in PACU requiring solid critical care skills, especially ICU experience, with a focus on post-surgical patient recovery. The role demands flexibility with shifts and call, strong clinical skills, and relevant certifications. Prior travel experience is preferred but not explicitly required.