PACU Nurse

BJC HealthCare; Missouri; On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

BJC HealthCare seeks a skilled PACU nurse to provide high-quality post-anesthesia care in our surgical recovery unit. You will monitor patients emerging from anesthesia, manage pain and nausea, and respond quickly to changes in condition.

You will collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe recoveries, educate patients before discharge, and support a culture of learning and community impact within a mission-driven health system.

Qualifications

• Experience in post-anesthesia recovery care.
• Ability to monitor cardiac and respiratory status.
• Strong knowledge of infection prevention and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Provide post-anesthesia nursing care for adult and pediatric patients in the PACU; continuously monitor vital signs, pain levels, and recovery status.
• Administer medications, oxygen therapy, and interventions per physician orders and protocols.
• Assess for and respond to complications such as respiratory distress or hemodynamic changes.
• Educate patients and families on post-op instructions, pain management, and follow-up care.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care.
• Document assessments, interventions, and patient responses in the electronic health record.
• Maintain PACU safety, infection prevention, and equipment readiness.
• Support quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and patient experience initiatives.
• Precept or mentor new nurses and contribute to a culture of learning and inclusion.

Skills

Post-anesthesia care

Vital signs monitoring

Pain management

IV therapy

Airway management

Hemodynamic monitoring

EHR documentation

Patient education

Infection control

Interdisciplinary coordination

Job description

BJC HealthCare seeks a skilled PACU nurse to provide high-quality post-anesthesia care in our dynamic surgical recovery unit. In this role, you will monitor patients emerging from anesthesia, manage pain and nausea, and respond quickly to changes in condition. You will collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe, efficient recoveries and strong patient education before discharge or transfer. Join a mission-driven, research-connected health system that offers robust training, supportive leadership, and clear pathways for growth in a culture focused on compassion, excellence, and community impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide post-anesthesia nursing care for adult and pediatric patients in the PACUContinuously monitor vital signs, pain levels, and recovery status following surgery
• Administer medications, oxygen therapy, and interventions per physician orders and protocols
• Assess for and respond to complications such as respiratory distress or hemodynamic changes
• Educate patients and families on post-op instructions, pain management, and follow-up care
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care
• Document assessments, interventions, and patient responses in the electronic health record
• Maintain PACU safety, infection prevention, and equipment readiness
• Support quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and patient experience initiatives
• Precept or mentor new nurses and contribute to a culture of learning and inclusion

Required Skills

• Post-anesthesia recovery care
• Cardiac and respiratory monitoring
• Pain assessment and management
• IV therapy and medication administration
• Airway management and oxygen therapy
• Hemodynamic assessment and stabilization
• Use of electronic health records (EHR)
• Patient and family education
• Infection prevention and control
• Interdisciplinary care coordination