Registered Nurse - PACU
Location: Northridge, CA
Contract Length: 13 Weeks
Shift: Day Shift
Schedule: 3×12
Experience Required: 2 Years
Weekly Pay: $2,400 to $2,600
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and attentive Registered Nurse - Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to join a healthcare team in Northridge, California, for a 13-week contract assignment.
The ideal candidate will provide specialized nursing care to patients recovering from anesthesia and surgical procedures. This role requires strong assessment skills, close patient monitoring, sound clinical judgment, and the ability to quickly recognize and respond to changes in a patient's condition.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive nursing care to patients recovering from anesthesia and surgical procedures.
- Perform immediate post-anesthesia assessments and monitor patients closely during recovery.
- Continuously monitor vital signs, oxygen saturation, cardiac rhythm, respiratory status, neurological status, and level of consciousness.
- Assess airway, breathing, circulation, pain, nausea, and other post-operative recovery needs.
- Administer medications, IV fluids, analgesics, antiemetics, and other treatments as ordered.
- Monitor patients for complications related to anesthesia, surgery, or underlying medical conditions.
- Recognize and respond promptly to airway compromise, respiratory depression, bleeding, hemodynamic instability, allergic reactions, and other emergencies.
- Manage IV lines, drains, catheters, surgical sites, and other clinical equipment as applicable.
- Provide appropriate pain management and evaluate patient response to treatment.
- Monitor surgical wounds and assess for signs of bleeding, infection, or other complications.
- Collaborate with anesthesia providers, surgeons, physicians, nurses, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Communicate significant changes in patient condition promptly and accurately.
- Assist with patient transfers to inpatient units, discharge areas, or other appropriate care settings.
- Provide patients and families with education regarding post-operative care, medications, safety, and discharge instructions.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
- Follow infection prevention, medication safety, fall prevention, and patient safety standards.
- Ensure appropriate handoff communication during transfers of care.
- Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
- Follow facility policies, PACU protocols, and applicable nursing standards.
- Participate in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
Qualifications
- Current Registered Nurse license eligible for practice in California.
- Minimum 2 years of recent PACU, Post-Anesthesia, Perioperative, ICU, or critical-care nursing experience.
- Strong knowledge of post-anesthesia and post-operative patient care.
- Excellent assessment and clinical judgment skills.
- Experience with IV therapy, medication administration, and pain management.
- Strong airway and respiratory assessment skills.
- Ability to recognize and respond quickly to changes in patient condition.
- Ability to remain calm and focused during emergency situations.
- Strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills.
- Proficiency with electronic medical records.
- Ability to work day shift on a 3×12 schedule.
- Required certifications should meet applicable facility requirements.