PACU Registered Nurse
Bellingham, Washington
PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center

Job Opportunity: PACU Registered Nurse

Location: Bellingham, Washington
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Position in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with variable shifts (8, 10, or 12 hours) including days, evenings, and nights.
• Guaranteed 36 hours per week.
• Nurse-to-patient ratios vary from 1:1 to 1:5 depending on patient acuity.
• Occasional floating to ICU within scope if qualified.
• On-call required: up to three night shifts per month (2100-0530) and one weekend call (2100 Friday to 0530 Monday).
• Orientation held bi-weekly on Tuesdays prior to start.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Washington state (pending license accepted).
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Minimum 1 year of recent PACU (Post Anesthesia Care) experience within the last year.
• ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience.
• Current certifications issued by the American Heart Association:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• Experience with telemetry interpretation.
• Proficient in ventilator management.
• Skilled in IV insertion and PICC line care.
• Experience with EPIC electronic health record system.

Patient Population & Procedures

• Care for post-operative patients including:

  • Total joint replacements (hip and knee)
  • Laparoscopic appendectomy
  • Laminectomy
  • Ophthalmologic surgery
  • Open reduction internal fixation for distal joints
  • Arthroscopic joint surgeries (shoulder, knee)
  • Exploratory laparoscopy/laparotomy
  • Laparoscopic hysterectomy
  • EVAR (Endovascular Aneurysm Repair)
  • Pacemaker insertion/lead extraction
  • Robotic-assisted thoracoscopy/thoracotomy
  • TURBT (Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor) and TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)
• Special procedures on unit: post-operative nerve block placement, lumbar puncture, epidural blood patch.
• Equipment used includes Stryker rolling stretchers, Phillips monitors, Baxter SpectrumIQ IV pumps, and Bair Hugger warming systems.

Facility Information

• Type: Short-Term Acute Care
• Level II Trauma Center
• Total staffed beds: 248
• Charting system: EPIC
• Parking: Free
• Dress code: Any color or pattern; teal scrubs provided for PACU

Additional Requirements & Information

• Prior travel experience preferred but first-time travelers accepted.
• Locals not accepted for this travel position.
• Physical exam required within 1 year of start.
• Fit mask test required within 1 year and updated annually for onsite workers.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year required; TB questionnaire required annually.
• Immunization or immunity documentation required for:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B (titer, vaccination series, or declination accepted)
  • Tdap (vaccine or declination required)
• Drug testing required within 30 days of start.
• Flu vaccine or declination required during flu season (Nov 1 - Mar 31); medical or religious exemptions accepted for WA and AK.
• COVID-19 vaccine religious exemptions accepted.
• Must complete facility-specific orientation modules and pass orientation quizzes with 100% score prior to start.
• Two professional references required from Charge RN or higher within last 3 years, covering at least 1 year in specialty.
• Employment history verification for last 7 years with proof of 1 year specialty experience required.
• Background checks including social security verification, criminal, federal, and state-specific searches required.

Shift Details

• Typical shifts: 3x12 hour day shifts (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) or 3x12 hour night shifts (7:00 PM - 7:00 AM).
• Weekend requirements to be determined.

This position offers a dynamic PACU nursing role in a Level II Trauma Center with a diverse patient population and a variety of surgical procedures. It requires strong critical care skills, flexibility in shift work, and compliance with comprehensive credentialing and health requirements.