Registered Nurse, (Per Diem RN) Post Anesth Care Unit

RWJBarnabas Health; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 66,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health is seeking a Per Diem PACU Registered Nurse (RN) for Trinitas Regional Medical Center. You will care for patients as they transition from anesthesia to recovery, using advanced assessment skills and clinical judgment to ensure safe perioperative care.

The role requires NJ RN license, BLS/CPR, ACLS, and PALS within 60 days. 1 year PACU or 2 years ED/ICU experience preferred; daytime shifts with on-call expectations.

Qualifications

• Active New Jersey RN license in good standing.
• Current American Heart Association BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications are required.
• PALS certification is required or must be obtained within 60 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive post-anesthesia assessments for patients recovering from surgery.
• Maintain airway patency, ventilation, hemodynamic stability, and circulation during recovery.
• Administer medications and IV therapies per physician orders and evidence-based practices.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and perioperative teams for safe patient transitions.
• Educate patients and families on recovery expectations and post-procedure care.
• Document accurately in the EMR and uphold safety and infection control standards.
• Participate in on-call coverage and maintain nursing competencies.

Skills

PACU nursing

Post-anesthesia care

Patient assessment

Education

NJ RN license

ACLS

PALS within 60 days

Tools

EMR/EHR

Job description

Registered Nurse, (Per Diem RN) Post Anesth Care Unit

Req #: 0000259175

Category: Nurses

Status: Per Diem

Shift: Day

Facility: Trinitas Regional Medical Center

Department: Post Anesth Care Unit

Pay Range: $48.29 - $65.06 per hour

Location: 225 Williamson Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202

Job Title: PD RN

Location: WILLIAMSON STREET

Department Name: Post Anesth Care Unit

Req #: 0000259175

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $48.29 - $65.06 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

At RWJBarnabas Health, our Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurses provide expert care during one of the most critical phases of a patient's surgical experience. As a Per Diem PACU RN at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, you\'ll care for patients as they safely transition from anesthesia to recovery, utilizing advanced clinical assessment skills, sound judgment, and compassionate care to ensure optimal outcomes. Working alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, procedural teams, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, you\'ll play an essential role in delivering exceptional perioperative care while supporting patients and families during a vulnerable time. Joining RWJBarnabas Health means becoming part of a collaborative team where clinical excellence, innovation, and patient safety are at the center of everything we do.

As a Per Diem PACU Registered Nurse (RN), a typical day may include:

• Performing comprehensive post-anesthesia assessments while closely monitoring patients recovering from surgical and procedural interventions
• Supporting patients through the critical transition from an anesthetized state to a stable, awake condition by maintaining airway patency, adequate ventilation, hemodynamic stability, and circulation
• Utilizing advanced clinical judgment to recognize subtle changes in patient condition, prioritize care, and intervene proactively to prevent complications
• Assessing neurological status, level of consciousness, pain, and recovery progression while providing individualized pain management and symptom control
• Administering medications, IV therapies, blood products, and other post-operative treatments in accordance with evidence-based practice and physician orders
• Collaborating with surgeons, anesthesiologists, procedural teams, and interdisciplinary caregivers to ensure seamless patient transitions and continuity of care
• Educating patients and families on recovery expectations, discharge instructions, medications, and post-procedure care to promote safe recovery at home
• Maintaining accurate documentation within the electronic medical record while adhering to patient safety, infection prevention, and regulatory standards
• Demonstrating strong teamwork, professionalism, and effective communication while fostering a positive, collaborative, perioperative environment
• Participating in on-call coverage and maintaining clinical competencies to support the ongoing needs of the Surgical Services team

This role might be for you if:

• You thrive in a fast-paced procedural environment where advanced assessment skills and rapid clinical decision-making are essential
• You remain calm and confident while caring for patients recovering from anesthesia and complex surgical procedures
• Strong critical thinking and sound clinical judgment guide every patient interaction
• You enjoy collaborating with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional perioperative care
• You provide compassionate reassurance to patients and families during vulnerable moments of recovery
• Patient safety, evidence-based practice, and continuous professional growth are central to your nursing practice
• You value teamwork and contribute to a culture built on collaboration, accountability, and clinical excellence

To be considered for this Per Diem PACU Registered Nurse opportunity, you must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and hold an active New Jersey Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing. Current American Heart Association (AHA) BLS/CPR and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications are required. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification is required or must be obtained within 60 days of hire. Candidates must possess a minimum of one year of PACU experience or two years of Emergency Department (ED) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nursing experience. Two or more years of PACU experience is strongly preferred. The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional assessment skills, clinical judgment, adaptability, and the ability to provide safe, compassionate care to patients recovering from anesthesia and surgical procedures.

Per Diem Commitment

To support consistent patient care and operational excellence, per diem PACU nurses are expected to maintain the following scheduling commitments:

• One regular work shift during each two-week scheduling cycle
• One 12-hour weekend on-call shift each month
• One summer holiday on-call shift annually
• One winter holiday on-call shift annually

This per diem opportunity offers flexibility to maintain work-life balance while remaining an integral member of Trinitas Regional Medical Center\'s Surgical Services team, delivering exceptional post-anesthesia care in a collaborative, patient-centered environment.

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer