Outpatient PACU Nurse Leader

Clinical Management Consultants; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Clinical Management Consultants seeks an Ambulatory Surgery PACU Nurse Manager in Southern California to lead a high-volume recovery area across five operating rooms. This role emphasizes safety, efficiency, and an exceptional patient experience, with a focus on staff mentorship and evidence-based perioperative care.

You will partner with surgeons, anesthesia professionals, and a multidisciplinary team to coordinate preoperative and post-anesthesia workflows, drive quality improvement,

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with PACU or ambulatory surgery leadership experience.
• Experience mentoring staff and managing scheduling and competency development.
• Strong clinical judgment, patient safety focus, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Knowledge of regulatory readiness and quality improvement processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day clinical and operational PACU operations across five ORs.
• Coordinate preoperative preparation, Phase I/II recovery, pain and nausea management, and safe discharge.
• Oversee staff scheduling, workflow coordination, and competency development.
• Partner with surgeons, anesthesia professionals, and admin to maintain care flow.
• Drive quality improvements and regulatory readiness.

Skills

Leadership

PACU/Perioperative leadership

Team mentorship

Quality improvement

Regulatory readiness

Education

Registered Nurse (RN)

Leadership experience in healthcare

Tools

EHR (Electronic Health Records)

Perioperative systems

Job description

Bring clinical expertise and leadership vision to a Ambulatory Surgery PACU Nurse Manager opportunity where meaningful patient impact, supportive leadership, modern perioperative workflows, professional growth, and a rewarding Southern California lifestyle come together.

This healthcare organization offers the Outpatient PACU Nurse Leader the chance to shape care within a high-volume ambulatory surgery environment built around safety, efficiency, and an exceptional patient experience. Experienced nurses considering healthcare leadership jobs in 2026 will find a setting that values sound clinical judgment, visible leadership, interdisciplinary partnership, and continuous improvement. Modern equipment and streamlined digital workflows support clinicians rather than replace their expertise, helping the perioperative team coordinate care effectively while maintaining professional autonomy and a patient-centered approach.

The PACU Manager will lead a dynamic recovery room serving five operating rooms and a diverse surgical population. This outpatient surgery center PACU supports Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology and ENT procedures, Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Urology, and a Total Joint Replacement Program. In this fast-moving ambulatory surgery center anesthesia environment, the nurse leader will help coordinate preoperative preparation, Phase I and Phase II recovery, pain and nausea management, discharge readiness, and safe transitions home. The breadth of specialties creates meaningful opportunities to strengthen peri-anesthesia expertise, optimize patient flow, and build a responsive team capable of supporting high procedural volume.

The Pre-Op/Post-Op RN Manager will provide day-to-day clinical and operational leadership while partnering with organizational leadership and the interdisciplinary surgical team. Responsibilities are expected to include staff support, scheduling, workflow coordination, competency development, regulatory readiness, quality improvement, patient safety, performance management, and efficient use of departmental resources. The role will collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesia professionals, registered nurses, technicians, and administrative partners to address barriers quickly and keep care moving safely. An experienced RN leader with strong PACU, perioperative, or ambulatory surgery knowledge will be positioned to mentor staff, reinforce evidence-based practice, and balance operational priorities with the needs of patients and clinicians.

For an Ambulatory Surgery PACU Nurse Manager seeking more than another nursing job, this position offers a visible platform for leadership growth. The nurse manager can advance staff education, encourage specialty certification, strengthen onboarding and precepting, participate in quality and safety initiatives, and develop emerging charge nurses or future supervisors. Exposure to multiple surgical specialties and high-volume operations can deepen both clinical and healthcare management expertise, while leadership mentorship and continuing professional development may support the next stage of a long-term hospital or ambulatory surgery career.

The Outpatient PACU Nurse Leader will live and work within the Los Angeles / Long Beach region, where coastal access, cultural diversity, nationally known dining, major entertainment venues, and extensive healthcare career opportunities create an energizing professional base. Beaches, harbor activities, hiking trails, museums, concerts, and weekend destinations are all within reach, while major airports support convenient travel. The region commands a higher cost of living than many markets, yet its varied communities provide a range of lifestyle and commute options. In 2026, the FIFA World Cup will bring global energy to the greater Los Angeles area, adding another landmark event to an already vibrant sports and entertainment calendar.

The PACU Manager will receive competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package aligned with the scope of this healthcare leadership role, with full details shared during the recruitment process. This is an opportunity to influence perioperative quality, support clinicians, improve the surgical patient journey, and grow within a respected ambulatory care setting.