PACU Registered Nurse
New Orleans, Louisiana
Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans

Job Opportunity: PACU Registered Nurse

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Assigned to Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with floating to pediatric PACU as needed.
• Care for patients of all ages in pre-op, Phase I, and Phase II recovery.
• Support all major surgical services except critical care patients.
• Unit includes 34 ORs across two floors with a high volume of pediatric patients.
• Special procedures include regional anesthesia and ECT.
• Patient ratio: 1 nurse to 2 patients.
• 2-3 scheduled weekends per contract.
• Use of Epic electronic health record system required.
• May be assigned to an Emergency Team during events, requiring staying onsite until the event passes or serving as relief.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana.
• Minimum 1 year of recent experience in Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system.

Work Schedule

• Day shift: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM (5 days per week, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week).
• 2-3 weekends scheduled per contract.

Equipment and Special Skills

• Experience with Hoyer lift, bladder scanner, and Accuvein preferred.

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License or government-issued photo ID (color copy required).
• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, updated annually.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start, updated monthly.
• Education verification or transcript/diploma as applicable.
• Sex offender search within 30 days of start, updated monthly.
• NURSYS license verification within 30 days of start.
• Physical exam within 12 months indicating good health.
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start (no instant screenings).
• Fit mask testing within 1 year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed.
• Immunization/vaccine requirements:

  • Tdap (10-year validity) for applicable units.
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella: positive IGG titer or completed vaccine series.
  • Hepatitis B: positive antibody titer, completed vaccine series, or booster after negative titer; declination allowed with signed form.
  • Varicella: positive IGG titer, completed vaccine series, or booster after negative titer.
• Negative TB test (PPD, Qgold, or Tspot) within 12 months; if positive, additional documentation required.
• Seasonal flu vaccination, declination, or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 – Mar 31).
• Skills checklist and competency exam specific to specialty required annually.
• Photo for badge: full color, passport-style, taken within last 6 months.

Additional Notes

• Candidates must be willing to participate in emergency preparedness protocols, including possible extended onsite presence during emergency events.
• Candidates uncomfortable with emergency team assignments should not apply.

This position offers a dynamic environment supporting a wide range of surgical patients with opportunities to work in both adult and pediatric care settings.