Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Registered Nurse for the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. The role focuses on high-stakes post-surgical care, requiring strong English communication, acute clinical judgment, and teamwork with the perioperative team.

Applicants must hold a valid US nursing license and ACEN/CCNE-accredited education. GNT exceptions may apply, with potential for permanent appointment after licensure and bridge program completion.

Qualifications

• English proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Graduate from an approved nursing program with ACEN or CCNE accreditation.
• Eligible for state nursing licensure; may start temporarily and convert after bridge program completion.
• Foreign-educated nurses require degree equivalency validation.
• Current, full, active nursing license in a U.S. state or territory; GNT exception may apply.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for patients based on age-specific needs.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management and satisfaction.
• Administer medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes.
• Provide competent, evidence-based care and manage complex patient situations.
• Assist with procedures and prep for anesthesia as needed.

Skills

English proficiency

ACLS certification

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

Nursing degree (ADN/ Diploma or BSN)

Job description

The PACU RN possesses knowledge related to the physiology associated with various anesthesia techniques and surgical interventions.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Preferred Experience: BSN National certification in area of practice Minimum of 2+ years of recent nursing experience providing care to post-operative surgical patients Previous PACU or ICU nursing experience Current ACLS certification Ability to function professionally in a high stress - fast paced environment Ability to handle and manage complex - unstable patients and make appropriate assessment and interventions to provide safe care Works well with interdisciplinary team Evidence of strong communication skills verbally and in writing Skill in use of computer programs Excellent interpersonal skills Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13115084
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling.Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Duties

• The Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit - duties include - but are not limited to the following: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills - and technically competent practice while providing care to clients
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients
• Possesses a fundamental experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform - integrating theoretical concepts - basic critical thinking skills - and technically skilled practice
• Assesses and prepare patients for procedures appropriately - includes assisting with peripheral nerve blocks
• Performs clinical assessment of the patient and readily recognizes contraindication for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday (8 hour shifts with rotating start times listed) 6:30 am to 3:00 pm (8-hour shift) 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (8-hour shift) 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (8-hour shift) 10:30 am to 7:00 pm (8-hour shift) Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.