UI Health - Staff Nurse - Rotating Evening position; PACU

UI Health - Staff Nurse I - Rotating Evening position (PACU)

Hiring Department: PACU

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition : 1039609

FTE: 1.0

Shift: Rotating Evening

# of Positions: 2

Posting Date: 2/26/2026

Salary: The previously determined range for this position was $36.08/hr to $80.98/hr final rate offered will be determined by the collective bargaining agreement, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a rate at or near the top of the full range for a position.

This position requires Illinois residency within 180 days of the hire date (RNs only).

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. It serves over 34,000 students, is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI), and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs.

UIC's extensive health sciences colleges emphasize cutting‑edge research and commitment to student success.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The PACU Staff Nurse I is responsible for delivering comprehensive nursing care to all patients during all phases of the peri‑operative process, including managing and caring for post‑surgical patients who may require extended recovery or admission to an appropriate level of care.

• Provides safe, high‑quality peri‑operative nursing care encompassing preoperative intake, support for minor procedures, post‑anesthesia recovery Phase I & Phase II, and recovery room boarders for all levels of care including ICU.
• Establishes an in‑depth database by assessing the behavioral and physical status of pre‑surgical patient populations, utilizing interview, observation, and physical examination.
• Interprets overt and subtle data to determine physiologic or psychosocial risk.
• Ensures delivery of quality nursing care for patients undergoing surgical and non‑invasive procedures in accordance with age‑related and individual needs, physician’s orders, hospital policy, and nursing standards.
• Assesses patient needs, plans nursing care, and ensures care plans are carried out and documented per the nursing process.
• Utilizes the nursing process and diagnoses in a timely manner, setting appropriate priorities.
• Evaluates patient responses to care and consults with medical staff, Care Team Lead, and/or Nursing Supervisor as needed.
• Demonstrates critical thinking by integrating theoretical knowledge and expertise to pose relevant clinical questions when evidence and practice differ.
• Recommends changes to the plan of care based on observed variances.
• Integrates nursing interventions into the multidisciplinary plan of care, incorporating appropriate standards of care and practice.
• Identifies learning needs with patients and families and teaches by adapting standard information to provide individualized learning.
• Incorporates discharge/home care planning into the multidisciplinary plan of care.
• Develops therapeutic relationships by establishing trust and enabling patients and families to verbalize care requirements comfortably.
• Supports patient self‑determination in health decision‑making.
• Competent in all areas of perianesthesia—Preop, Phase I, Phase II—and extended care of post‑surgical patients requiring the appropriate level of care including ICU.
• Checks and updates patient files, charts, and medical records.
• Ensures operative and informed consents are accurate and signed per policy.
• Assesses and instructs patients/families prior to surgery.
• Engages patients/families to develop an appropriate educational plan.
• Observes patients for anesthesia side effects.
• Monitors and records vital signs during perianesthesia phases.
• Monitors level of consciousness during…