Registered Nurse PACU - Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Overview
You will own direct and indirect nursing care for post-anesthesia patients in the PACU at VHC Health, a community hospital in Washington, DC. You will supervise assigned personnel and coordinate care across the perioperative continuum. This role demands BLS certification and ACLS within one year, with opportunities to work in a Level II trauma center. You will collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and CRNAs to ensure safe recovery from anesthesia.
What You'll Do9
- 1Assess, plan, and implement nursing care for post-anesthesia patients, monitoring vital signs and airway patency
- 2Administer medications and IV fluids per protocol in the PACU
- 3Supervise CNAs and LPNs to ensure quality patient care
- 4Document patient responses and interventions in Epic (electronic health record)
- 5Communicate with the care team to coordinate discharge from the PACU
- 6Respond to emergencies, including code blue, using ACLS protocols
- 7Educate patients and families on post-operative care and recovery
- 8Participate in quality improvement initiatives to reduce complications
- 9Maintain BLS and ACLS certifications per department policy
Requirements8
- 1Bachelor's in Nursing required
- 21+ year of nursing experience in an acute care setting
- 3Licensed as Registered Nurse by the Virginia Board of Nursing or Compact State license
- 4BLS certification required ( ACLS or PALS can substitute per policy)
- 5ACLS certification required for PACU within 1 year of hire
- 6PALS certification required for pediatric patients in PACU within 1 year
- 7Ability to handle high-stress situations and make rapid decisions
- 8Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Salary Insight
$92 - $152k per year
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