Staff Nurse Pre-Op

Job Description

Job Title: Staff Nurse PACU

Department: Surgical Services / Ambulatory Surgery Center

Reports To: Nurse Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Approval Date: June 12, 2026

Summary

The Staff Nurse PACU provides direct post-anesthesia patient care and utilizes the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation according to facility policies and procedures. The nurse understands safety hazards and the use of equipment to prevent harm to personnel and patients and supports safe recovery and discharge readiness in an ambulatory surgery center setting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Admit patients to PACU; assess and monitor patients per policy and procedure.
• Understand principles of anesthesia reactions and airway management.
• Recognize changes in patient condition and notify the anesthesiologist and/or surgeon.
• Maintain and use proper techniques for oxygen therapy, suction, drainage tubes, and IVs.
• Provide physiologic comfort and psychological support based on individual patient needs.
• Assist anesthesiologist with nerve blocks as necessary.
• Carry out physician orders (standing, written, and verbal) in accordance with policy.
• Prior to discharge, review written care instructions with the patient and/or representative.
• Ensure medications and DME are available as ordered, patient condition is satisfactory and confirm the patient's designated driver.
• Review the medical record for completeness and ensure required PACU documentation is accurate and timely.
• Understand and perform proper technique for equipment used in assigned work area.
• Appropriately handle disposal of biohazardous materials.
• Adhere to POSC procedures, policies, and standards.
• Maintain assigned special responsibilities/areas and support unit readiness.
• Support onboarding and training of new employees as assigned.
• Stock PACU rooms, nursing stations, and supply areas daily.
• Check and remove expired or damaged supplies and report discrepancies to management.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing required.
• Critical care experience preferred.
• Previous PACU experience preferred.
• Strong teamwork, customer service, dependability, organizational, and technical skills.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries from patients, representatives, and physicians; ability to interpret policies/procedures and IFUs.
• Ability to calculate medication dosing and apply sound clinical judgment in changing schedules/equipment needs.
• Proficiency with MS Word/Outlook and clinical systems; Sis Complete, Athena preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Active Georgia Nursing License - required.
• BLS (American Heart Association) - required.
• ACLS - required. If not ACLS certified at hire, must obtain within three (3) months of hire.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear and may be on their feet much of the day. The employee may be required to push, pull, or tug patients on stretchers and in wheelchairs. Duties can be stressful, including caring for injured patients and adapting to schedule or equipment changes. There is potential exposure to anesthetic gases, hazardous chemicals, blood and body fluids, sharps, and cleaning solutions. The employee frequently is required to move all extremities within full range of motion as well as stoop and bend at 90 degrees. The noise level is usually moderate.

Peachtree Orthopedics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.