PACU Registered Nurse
Williston, North Dakota
CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (PACU)

Location: Williston, North Dakota
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Registered Nurse for the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to provide patient recovery care in a surgical setting. This role involves close monitoring of patients post-anesthesia, airway management, medication administration, and responding to life-saving situations as needed.

Key Details

• Unit: PACU (Phase 1 recovery)
• Beds: 3 Operating Rooms, 2 Endoscopy Rooms
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:1
• Shift: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM
• Call Requirements: After-hours call 1:2 rotation, 20-minute response time
• Weekend Requirements: Every other weekend
• Holiday Requirements: Alternating holidays
• Orientation: 3-5 shifts of unit-specific orientation with buddy support if needed
• Scheduling: No self-scheduling or block scheduling; all requested time off must be approved and listed in the contract
• Floating: None
• Dress Code: Scrubs provided by OR

Common Cases

• Endoscopy
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• Hernia repair
• Hysterectomy
• Dilation & Curettage (D&C)
• Cesarean section
• Laparoscopic appendectomy
• Open cholecystectomy and appendectomy
• Orthopedic procedures including total joints, ORIF, closed reduction, ACL repair
• Emergency room sedated procedures (general surgery, OB/GYN, ortho, podiatry)

Required Certifications

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

Required Experience

• Minimum 1 year of PACU nursing experience required
• 2 years preferred
• Prior travel experience preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Recover patients in conjunction with anesthesia team
• Calculate Aldrete scores for patient recovery assessment
• Monitor patients closely during post-anesthesia phase
• Maintain airway and respond to life-saving situations as per nursing standards and protocols
• Administer medications and treatments according to policy and procedure
• Read cardiac strips

Additional Information

• EMR system used: Meditech
• No clinical involvement outside PACU
• No nurse aides on PACU unit (available in day surgery if needed)
• Respiratory therapy handles ventilator and advanced respiratory equipment; PACU nurses manage oxygen masks
• ICU patients do not recover in PACU
• OR charge nurse present every shift (does not take patient assignment)

Radius Rule

Candidates must not have been employed full-time, part-time, or PRN with any related healthcare facilities within a 50-mile radius in the past 12 months.

This position offers a structured schedule with defined call and weekend requirements, ideal for nurses experienced in PACU care seeking a short-term contract.