Registered Nurse (RN) – PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit)Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
Employment Type: Full-Time
Shift: Flexible (3x12, 4x10, or 5x8; Days or Nights with rotating weekends, holidays, and on-call)
The Registered Nurse (RN) – PACU provides comprehensive nursing care to patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical procedures. The RN is responsible for assessing patient status, monitoring recovery, administering medications, managing pain, identifying and responding to complications, educating patients and families, and collaborating with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, high-quality postoperative care.
Key Responsibilities- Provide direct and indirect nursing care in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
- Perform comprehensive patient assessments throughout the recovery process.
- Monitor airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, and pain management.
- Administer medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Recognize and respond promptly to changes in patient condition.
- Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
- Educate patients and families regarding postoperative recovery and discharge instructions.
- Maintain accurate electronic medical documentation.
- Advocate for patient safety and comfort throughout recovery.
- Participate in on-call rotations, weekends, holidays, and flexible scheduling as required.
- Ensure compliance with hospital policies, infection prevention standards, and regulatory requirements.
Required Qualifications- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or higher.
- Active and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) License.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
- Minimum 1 year of PACU experience.
- Ability to obtain PALS Certification within three months of employment.
- Strong communication and patient assessment skills.
Preferred Qualifications- PACU experience in an acute care hospital.
- Perioperative Nursing experience.
- Surgical Services experience.
- ACLS Certification.
- PALS Certification.
- Experience recovering adult and pediatric surgical patients.
- Excellent critical thinking and emergency response skills.
Recruiter Submission Template –Full Name:
Degree (Associate/Bachelor's/Master's in Nursing) – University & Completion Year:
Current Registered Nurse (RN) License (State, License Number & Expiration Date):
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (Expiration Date):
Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification (If Applicable):
Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification (If Applicable):
Total Years of Registered Nurse (RN) Experience:
Total Years of PACU Experience:
Total Years of Acute Care Hospital Experience:
Are you willing to obtain PALS Certification within three months of hire if not currently certified? (Yes/No):
Do you have experience providing post-anesthesia recovery care, including airway management, pain control, and monitoring patients following surgical procedures? (Yes/No – Details):
Do you have experience recognizing and responding to postoperative complications and changes in patient condition? (Yes/No – Details):
Do you have experience collaborating with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and perioperative teams? (Yes/No – Details):
Are you comfortable working flexible schedules (3x12, 4x10, or 5x8), including rotating weekends, holidays, and on-call responsibilities? (Yes/No):
Describe your PACU and postoperative nursing experience, including the types of surgical cases you have supported:
Motivation / Reason for Relocation (if not local):
Motivation / Reason for interest in this position:
Contact Number:
Email ID:
LinkedIn Profile URL:
Full Address (Street, City, State, ZIP Code):
Notice Period (in weeks):
Current Work Authorization Status:
Expected Salary:
Are you able to relocate on your own expense and work onsite in Los Alamos, NM? (Yes/No):