Pre/Post-Op Clinical Nurse - Lavin PACU, Full-time, Rotating

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is seeking a Pre/Post-Op Clinical Nurse for the Lavin PACU. This 1.0 FTE, rotating shift role offers a competitive hourly salary and requires at least two years of PACU/ICU/ER nursing experience.

The position emphasizes patient advocacy, post-operative care, and discharge education within a leading academic medical center in downtown Chicago. Qualified candidates hold an NLN-accredited nursing degree, an Illinois RN license, and demonstrate strong analytical,

Qualifications

• Graduate of NLN accredited nursing program.
• BSN or higher.
• Current State of Illinois RN license.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to lift/carry up to 35 pounds and push/pull 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Advocates patient-centered care and develops an individualized nursing plan.
• Incorporates patient advocate into the plan of care and uses a team approach to meet goals.
• Maintains safe environment and protects patient safety.
• Participates in research-related activities including quality improvement initiatives.
• Performs post-operative care, assesses risks, and provides discharge teaching.

Skills

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Nursing

Education

NLN accredited nursing program

BSN or higher

Job description

Pre/Post-Op Clinical Nurse - Lavin PACU, Full-time, Rotating

• Full-time
• Job Shift: Rotating
• Salary Range Minimum : $39.00
• Salary Range Maximum: $62.40
• Compensation: USD 39 - USD 62.4 - hourly

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is an academic medical center in the heart of downtown Chicago with physicians, surgeons and caregivers representing nearly every medical specialty. Northwestern Medicine is proud to have five hospitals ranked among "America’s Best," including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the only Illinois hospital to be ranked No. 1 for 14 straight years, by U.S. News & World Report, 2025-2026. Anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is nationally ranked in 11 clinical specialties, we're leading the quest for better care in the Chicago area and beyond.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital enjoys a teaching and service partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , an integration that provides patients access to leading-edge clinical trials and fosters an environment of world-class patient care, academic inquiry and innovative research. Northwestern Memorial Hospital has also received Magnet® recognition*, the gold-standard for nursing excellence, from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Candidates must have at least two years of current nursing experience in PACU, ICU, or ER in order to be considered. This is a 1.0 FTE position, 40 hours per week (4 10-hour shifts).

The Pre/Post-Op Clinical Nurse reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities:

Advocate

• Practices in accordance with the patient-centered care model.
• Develops an individualized age-specific culturally sensitive nursing plan of care for the patient that is based on the nursing process.
• Incorporates the role of patient advocate into the plan of care.
• Uses a team approach to develop and achieve daily patient-centered individualized care goals.
• Acknowledges and values the contributions of the patient's significant others as an integral part of the plan of care.
• Identifies potential conflict situations and facilitates resolution using established communication channels.
• Promotes and strives to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient.
• Protects patients by maintaining a safe environment.
• Participate in research-related activities which includes evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.
• Practices safe surgery specific post-operative care to include assessment, potential complications and discharge teaching.
• Identifies potential pre-anesthetic surgical risks factors.

Clinical Expert

• Advances clinical expertise, as demonstrated through pursuit of informal and formal continuing education opportunities and obtaining specialty certification when eligible.
• Continuously enhances skills and abilities to ensure the highest quality patient care.
• Shares knowledge and expertise through educating team members, patients and students.
• Demonstrates critical thinking by integrating theoretical knowledge and expertise to pose relevant clinical questions when evidence and practice differ.
• Identifies priorities, sets realistic and measurable goals, prescribes and implements nursing interventions in a safe and timely manner.
• Develops and implements individualized education plans for patients and families using suitable instructional materials and methods.
• Evaluates and documents the patient's responses to nursing interventions in the health record and properly individualizes the plan of care based on the evaluation of findings.
• Identifies situations that require further intervention and escalates appropriately; consults appropriate experts and resources when needed.
• Participates in the formation, implementation and evaluation of team goals.
• Appropriately delegates and supervises interventions to implement the plan of care.
• Conveys complete, timely and accurate information at hand off at the bedside or any hand off.
• Adheres to ethical standards of practice.
• Possess the knowledge to intervene in the event of a complication or undesired outcome.

Community Volunteer

• Participates in one or more volunteer initiatives annually, Northwestern Memorial organized or on his/her own.
• Consistently demonstrates interpersonal connections with patients and families from introduction through discharge.
• Proactively responds to patient concerns such as speaking to patients about possible/expected delays in plan of care.
• Treats patients, families, visitors and staff in a caring manner with respect and dignity.
• Facilities recovery and where appropriate helps ensure a peaceful death for patients.

Professionally Engaged

• Is a member of a professional organization or participates on an Northwestern Memorial committee or taskforce at the hospital-wide, departmental, or unit level.
• Demonstrates accountability and collaborative practice with co-workers, other disciplines, and departments.
• Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth and education reflecting knowledge and understanding of current nursing practice.
• Serves as a community mentor for team members.
• Serves as a preceptor for new team members.
• Participates in the peer feedback process by conducting a constructive assessment and evaluation of peer performance.
• Works collaboratively with all hospital services to accomplish daily work and maintain an environment of excellence.
• Participates in the development of policies, procedures and systems to support safe and effective care and advance nursing practice at NMH through the Shared Leadership Process.
• Assumes personal responsibility for meeting internal (i.e. Best People profile, ELMs, CPR, and health requirements) and external regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation and quality improvement; participates in innovation projects and the quality improvement process, including unit-based quality committees.
• Demonstrates accountability to Northwestern Memorial strategic, operational and fiscal goals.
• Exemplifies a professional image in appearance and communications.
• Maintains and advances the professional image of nursing and the practice of professional nursing through an ongoing analysis of resources: Professional Organizations, literature, electronic resources, etc.

AA/EOE

Required:

• Graduate of an NLN accredited school/college of nursing.
• Baccalaureate degree in Nursing or higher.
• Current State of Illinois, Registered Professional Nurse license.
• Analytic ability (conceptual and quantitative).
• Oral, listening and written communication skills.
• Strong human relation skills to interact effectively and collaborate with others in difficult situations.
• An essential function of this job is the ability to lift/carry weight of up to 35 pounds.
• An essential function of this job is the ability to push/pull with 50 pounds of force.

Preferred:

• Experience in specific clinical area.
• Nursing specialty certification, if eligible.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

By clicking the link above or any third-party link within this posting, you are leaving this site and going to a third-party website where the third-party website's terms and privacy policy apply