REGISTERED NURSE- PACU MANAGER

Reports To: Director of Perioperative Services / Director of NursingJob SummaryThe Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, clinical performance, staffing, and quality of patient care within the PACU. The manager collaborates with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perioperative leadership, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to maintain high-quality postoperative recovery services.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Manager –Job DescriptionLocation: Far Rockaway, NY
Department: Post-Anesthesia Care Unit / Perioperative Services
Job Type: Full-Time
Shift: Days, with flexibility for evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call coverage as needed
Reports To: Director of Perioperative Services / Director of NursingJob SummaryThe Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, clinical performance, staffing, and quality of patient care within the PACU. This role provides leadership and direction to nursing staff caring for patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical and diagnostic procedures. The PACU Manager ensures compliance with clinical standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies while promoting patient safety, operational efficiency, and positive patient outcomes. The manager collaborates with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perioperative leadership, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to maintain high-quality postoperative recovery services.Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee daily PACU operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective delivery of postoperative nursing care.
• Supervise, mentor, and support PACU registered nurses and other departmental personnel.
• Develop staffing schedules, manage assignments, and ensure appropriate staffing levels based on patient acuity and procedural volume.
• Monitor patient care activities, including postoperative assessments, airway management, pain control, hemodynamic monitoring, and recovery from anesthesia.
• Ensure staff appropriately identify and respond to complications such as respiratory depression, bleeding, hemodynamic instability, and delayed emergence from anesthesia.
• Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, operating room staff, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care and patient flow.
• Establish and maintain clinical policies, procedures, and protocols consistent with organizational standards and applicable regulations.
• Monitor departmental quality indicators, patient outcomes, safety events, and patient satisfaction metrics.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance clinical outcomes, workflow efficiency, and patient safety.
• Ensure compliance with applicable New York State Department of Health requirements, accreditation standards, infection prevention guidelines, and hospital policies.
• Oversee staff orientation, competency assessments, performance evaluations, and ongoing professional development.
• Manage departmental resources, including medical supplies, equipment, and budgetary considerations.
• Review incidents, near misses, and patient care concerns and implement corrective actions as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with electronic medical record requirements.
• Support emergency preparedness, resuscitation procedures, and staff readiness for critical patient events.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, operational planning, policy development, and strategic initiatives related to perioperative services.

Qualifications

• Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in New York State.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required or preferred, depending on employer requirements;a master's degree in nursing, healthcare administration, or a related field may be preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of perioperative, PACU, critical care, or related acute care nursing experience preferred.
• Previous nursing leadership, supervisory, or management experience required or strongly preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications, as required by the employer.
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of post-anesthesia recovery, airway management, hemodynamic monitoring, pain management, and postoperative complications.
• Demonstrated leadership, staff development, conflict resolution, and performance management skills.
• Knowledge of healthcare quality improvement, regulatory compliance, patient safety standards, and hospital operations.
• Excellent communication, organizational, critical-thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced surgical and recovery environment.

Work EnvironmentThis position is based in a hospital or surgical facility in Far Rockaway, New York. The PACU Manager works closely with perioperative services, anesthesia providers, surgical teams, and nursing leadership. The role may require extended periods of standing or walking, flexible scheduling, occasional after-hours availability, and participation in emergency or operational response activities.Compensation and BenefitsCompensation is based on experience, qualifications, leadership background, and employer policies. Benefits may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, paid holidays, professional development opportunities, and continuing education support.Equal Employment OpportunityThe employer provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and complies with applicable federal, New York State, and local employment laws.Application RequirementsApplicants should submit a résumé, verification of current New York RN licensure, relevant certifications, and professional references as requested by the hiring organization. Employment may be contingent upon background checks, verification of credentials, and other required screenings.