Job info

PACU Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: San Francisco, California Employment Type: Travel/Contract Contract Length: 16 weeks Schedule: Day shift, 4x10-hour days (8:00 to 18:30), 40 hours per week Start Time: Variable, 8:00 to 11:00, Monday to Friday On-Call: Available

Role Details

Orientation and shifts may be scheduled at any medical center location within the health system.

Required Qualifications

Valid California RN license
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
BLS (Basic Life Support)
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) issued by the American Heart Association
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) issued by the American Heart Association
Minimum 3 years of PACU (Post Anesthesia Care) experience
PACU (Post Anesthesia Care) experience within the last year
Inpatient experience
Cath lab recovery experience
One completed travel assignment within the past 12 months

Competencies and Testing

Pass/fail telemetry exam on the first day of orientation. Candidates get 2 attempts; a third requires manager approval. No calculators allowed. Required for PACU nurses.
Medication/pharmacology competency exam within one year of start, with a minimum score of 80%. Does not need annual renewal.
Unit-specific competency exam within 12 months of start, with a minimum score of 80%. Does not need annual renewal.
Core Parts I, II, and III, each with a passing score of 80% or above, completed within one year prior to start and updated annually.
Unit-specific skills checklist, updated annually.
Math exam required for all RNs.

Background, Health, and Documentation Requirements

Background and Screening

7-year criminal background check, within 30 days of start and renewed annually
EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks, within 30 days of start
Education verification by a third-party source (copy of diploma or transcript accepted in lieu)
Standard 9-panel drug test excluding THC, within 30 days of start, re-run every 2 years. Dilute and instant/rapid tests are not accepted.
Tech cert verification (national), within 30 days of start, for allied/non-clinical roles

Health and Immunizations

Physical exam within 1 year of start, including a physician statement of fitness to work, signed by an MD, DO, NP, APRN, or PA
Fit mask (3M 1870+ or 3M 1860, small or regular), updated annually. Fit testing or PAPR may be completed onsite as a last resort. Not all masks are accepted at all locations.
Tdap within the last 10 years, or a declination if at least one prior Tdap is on file
Measles, mumps, rubella: IgG titer or 2 vaccines
Varicella: IgG titer or 2 vaccines (history of disease not accepted)
Hepatitis B: vaccine series plus titer, or titer alone, or declination
TB screening: QuantiFERON within 3 months of start for candidates signed on or after 7/15/2026. Annual TB questionnaire within 30 days of start. Chest X-ray and physician documentation required for certain positive or allergy cases.
Flu vaccine or facility declination required for the 11/1 to 4/30 season
COVID vaccination is not required but strongly recommended

Employment History and References

Two supervisory references, preferably from the most recent place of employment (charge nurses acceptable)
Current resume covering the last 7 years of work history, with gaps of 30 days or more explained
Work history verification for 7 years (attestations require facility approval and are not accepted for the most recent employment)

Orientation and Training

Learning modules completed before Day 1 for Tuesday-start RNs; all other candidates complete them on the unit during orientation
Annual cybersecurity awareness training and quiz (80% or higher)
Advanced HIPAA module and quiz (80% or higher) for nursing candidates
Emergency contact information, parking and uniform information review, and COVID-19 preparedness update (reviewed and initialed before start)

About San Francisco, CA

As a Travel Post Anesthesia Care Nurse in San Francisco, CA here's what you should know:

Cost of Living

San Francisco's cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, especially in terms of housing.
Wages are relatively high, but they may not fully match the increased cost of living.

Weather

Summer average highs range from 60-70°F, while winter average lows range from 45-55°F.

Furnished Housing

Short-term rentals can be found, but they are in high demand and may be relatively expensive.
It's advisable to start the search early.

Transportation

San Francisco is not very car-friendly due to limited parking and heavy traffic.
However, the city has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trams, and the famous cable cars.

Demographics

San Francisco is a diverse city with a wide range of ages.
Common health issues include respiratory problems due to the fog and air quality.
It has a large population of travel nurses due to its numerous healthcare facilities.

Things to Do

San Francisco offers a plethora of activities, including diverse restaurants, vibrant art and music scenes, numerous sports events, and abundant outdoor opportunities such as hiking, beach activities, and exploring parks.

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