PACU Registered Nurse
Baltimore, Maryland
University of Maryland Medical Center

Registered Nurse - PACU

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 12 weeks
Start Date: June 22, 2026

Job Overview

• Work in a 28-bed Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) providing specialized peri-anesthesia care 24/7 to patients of all ages (neonates through geriatrics).
• Care for patients undergoing scheduled or emergency surgery across more than 20 surgical and procedural specialties.
• Strong ICU experience is required.
• Nurses must be competent in vasopressor titration, airway management, ventilator care, blood product administration, and fluid resuscitation.
• Patient ratio: 1 nurse to 2 patients.
• Shift: Rotating schedule of 3 day shifts (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) and 3 night shifts (7:30 PM - 7:30 AM) every 6 days.
• Weekend, holiday, and on-call coverage required:

  • 3 weekend shifts per 4-week period.
  • On-call shifts: 1-2 twelve-hour shifts every 6 weeks (7 AM - 7:30 PM and 7 PM - 7:30 AM).
• Floating within the specialty and to other units/facilities as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Maryland.
• Minimum 1 year of recent PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) experience within the last year.
• Strong ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

Experience

• Minimum years of specialty experience: Strong ICU experience required (implies at least 1+ years ICU experience).
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required.

Patient Population

• Neonates, infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, geriatrics.

Uniform

• Navy blue scrubs (pink for trauma assignments).
• Pediatric department: navy blue scrub pants with child-friendly tops in navy blue.
• Undershirts: white short sleeve or navy long sleeve (pink if wearing pink scrubs).
• Business casual attire (no jeans, no open-toe shoes, no sleeveless tops, no shorts) for certain departments like case management.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background check: 7-year criminal history within 30 days of start; annual updates required.
• Drug screening: Negative 9-panel drug screen within 30 days prior to start (instant tests not accepted).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start.
• Fit mask test within 1 year of start.
• Immunizations and titers required (must be completed within 72 hours of contract signing):

  • TB screening (QGOLD, TSPOT, or 2-step PPD).
  • Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella: positive titer or 2 vaccines/boosters.
  • Hepatitis B: positive titer or declination (series not accepted).
  • Varicella: positive titer or 2 vaccines/boosters.
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (required for units working with children).
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or approved medical/religious exemption (for 2025-26 season).
• COVID vaccine is not required for this location but documentation is collected for tracking.
• Two supervisory references required within 1 year of start.
• Employment application/resume completed within 30 days of start.
• Verification of previous 5 years of work history.
• Maryland State Exclusions List check within 30 days of start.

Competency Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (score ≥ 80%).
• Age-specific competency exam (score ≥ 80%).
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam (score ≥ 80%) for RN specialties.
• Color blind testing (one-time).
• Other certifications as applicable per unit requirements.

Additional Notes

• Candidates must sign job description and confidentiality agreements prior to start.
• Security ID application must be completed within 72 hours of signing.
• Facility-specific dress code and scrub color rules apply.
• Portfolio Epic training test-out option available for eligible candidates.
• Floating and on-call duties are part of the assignment.

This position offers a diverse clinical experience in a high-acuity perioperative setting with a multidisciplinary surgical team.