PACU Registered Nurse; PACU RN
Listed on 2026-01-24
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Nursing
ICU Nurse, Emergency Medicine, Surgical Assistant, Healthcare Nursing
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Employment Type: Full-Time
Openings: 2 Positions
Department: PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit)
Work Model: Onsite (Hospital)
Hiring PACU Registered Nurses (PACU RN) to provide safe, high-quality post-operative patient care in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The PACU RN will monitor and manage patients recovering from anesthesia, ensure airway and hemodynamic stability, manage pain and post-operative complications, and collaborate closely with anesthesia providers, surgeons, and perioperative teams. This role requires strong assessment skills, rapid clinical judgment, and excellent communication to support smooth recovery and safe transfer/discharge.
Key Responsibilities- Provide direct nursing care for post-surgical and procedural patients recovering from anesthesia
- Perform continuous assessment of airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, and pain level
- Monitor and interpret vital signs, telemetry, and overall recovery progress
- Administer medications including pain management, antiemetics, fluids, and ordered post-op treatments
- Identify and respond to post-anesthesia complications (respiratory depression, bleeding, hypotension, nausea/vomiting, etc.)
- Maintain and document accurate patient care records in EMR
- Coordinate safe patient transfer to inpatient units or discharge per PACU protocols
- Communicate patient status updates to surgeons, anesthesia team, and family members as appropriate
- Maintain compliance with infection control, patient safety, and quality standards
- Participate in unit-based performance improvement and professional practice initiatives
Education: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Required
License: Active Arizona Registered Nurse (RN) License – Required
Experience: 1-2 years of RN experience required (PACU/OR/ICU/Telemetry preferred)
Preferred / Nice-to-Have- Prior PACU / Recovery Room nursing experience
- Experience in ICU / Critical Care / Telemetry Strong airway management knowledge and post-op complication recognition
- ACLS certification (preferred)
- PALS certification (preferred, depending on patient population)
- Strong teamwork and ability to perform under pressure in fast-paced perioperative setting
- PACU / post-operative recovery nursing
- Airway monitoring and post-anesthesia assessment
- Hemodynamic monitoring & rapid escalation of care
- Pain management and medication administration
- Patient safety, infection prevention, and documentation
- Strong communication and interdisciplinary coordination
- Compassionate, patient-centered care delivery
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