Registered Nurse (RN) – Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

Location: Poughkeepsie, NY

Schedule: Full-Time | Day Shift

Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) to join a busy Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The ideal candidate will provide high-quality postoperative nursing care, monitor patients recovering from anesthesia, and collaborate with the surgical team to ensure safe and effective patient outcomes.

This role requires strong clinical assessment skills, critical thinking, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced perioperative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and monitor patients during the immediate postoperative recovery period.
• Evaluate cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and hemodynamic status.
• Monitor airway management needs and patient comfort levels.
• Interpret data from invasive and non-invasive monitoring equipment.
• Develop and implement individualized perianesthesia care plans.
• Manage patient recovery following general, regional, local, and monitored anesthesia care procedures.
• Administer medications safely and accurately following established nursing standards.
• Provide acute pain management and comfort measures.
• Maintain wound integrity and support optimal tissue perfusion.
• Monitor fluid and electrolyte balance and manage postoperative complications as needed.
• Implement infection prevention and control measures.
• Ensure patients achieve appropriate discharge criteria and recovery milestones.
• Educate patients and designated support persons regarding recovery expectations, medications, wound care, pain management, and rehabilitation.
• Document all patient care accurately and thoroughly.
• Collaborate with physicians, anesthesia providers, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and performance enhancement activities.
• Advocate for patient rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in New York State.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Minimum of two (2) years of PACU or post-anesthesia care experience.
• Strong clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN).
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) certification.
• Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) certification.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, transfer, and assist patients as needed.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination required.
• Exposure to blood, body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and other healthcare-related hazards.
• Ability to work occasional irregular hours and participate in call coverage as required.

Why Join Us?