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.