Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

SSM Health; Fond du Lac (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

SSM Health's St. Agnes Hospital in Wisconsin is seeking a registered nurse for the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The role involves comprehensive nursing assessments, care planning, and patient education in the post-anesthesia setting.

The schedule varies with shifts 7:30a–4:00p, 8:00a–8:00p, and 10:00a–6:30p, with on-call requirements once a week and every fifth weekend; candidates must hold an appropriate nursing license and BLS/ALS/PALS/NRP as listed.

Qualifications

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing.
• No experience required.
• Licensure requirements vary by state (BLS HCP, RN, ALS, NRP/PALS/NRP Essentials) across IL, MO, OK, WI.

Responsibilities

• Performs age-specific assessments and develops a plan of care for PACU patients.
• Demonstrates knowledge to provide all aspects of nursing care in routine and emergency situations.
• Communicates changes in patient condition to physicians and staff in a timely manner.
• Delivers medications and treatments per policy and protocols.
• Evaluates progress and educates patients on discharge and follow-up care.
• Maintains professional standards and collaborates with the team.

Education

Graduate of accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing

Job description

Job Highlights

Join a team where your work matters—every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM Health, you'll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact.

• 30 minute response time

It's more than a career, it's a calling

WI-St. Agnes Hospital

Worker Type

Regular

Department

PACU

Schedule

Shifts vary from 7:30a - 4:00p, 8a - 8p and 10a - 6:30p. On call requirement once a week and then every 5th weekend.

Job Summary

Performs age-specific physical, psychological, and social assessments, formulates nursing diagnoses, and develops a plan of care, which includes individualized treatment strategies for the post-anesthesia setting.

Primary Responsibilities

• Completes and documents a thorough and accurate PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) admission assessment and utilizes critical judgment to analyze patient assessment data to develop an appropriate plan of care. Implements a plan of care or care pathway to provide individualized care for each patient. Plan of care is based upon patient assessment, physician and anesthesia orders and preferences, and procedure specific criteria in a manner that is prioritized and timely.
• Demonstrates and maintains knowledge and skills necessary to meet physical, psycho-social, spiritual, cultural, and age appropriate needs of each patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to perform all aspects of nursing care in both routine and emergency situations. Communicates changes in patient condition to physicians and necessary staff in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate administration of medications and treatments according to policy, procedure and protocol. Verbalizes knowledge and demonstrates consistent use and compliance for written protocols (i.e.; pain, conscious sedation, skin, restraint, abuse, parental bonding, etc.)
• Evaluates and documents patient's progress toward achievement of outcomes. Meets discharge and ongoing patient educational needs related to treatment, procedures, disease process, equipment, medications, physician orders, and follow up care.
• Communicates with patient family members while patients are in PACU in a timely manner.
• Reports outcome progress and patient specific information to responsible caregiver when leaving department, end of shift, or upon transfer to another unit.
• Demonstrates competence in delegation, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Evaluates care given by team members and gives feedback. Effectively supervises team members and maintains accountability for standard of care provided. Acts as a resource to other team members.
• Organizes and utilizes time efficiently. Demonstrates appropriate prioritization. Maintains an organized work environment. Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively on a team. Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships with patients, significant others, multidisciplinary team members, and co-workers. Assists in other surgical services departments as needed.
• Applies the existing body of evidence-based practice and scientific knowledge in health care to nursing practice, ensuring that nursing care is delivered based on patient’s age-specific needs and clinical needs as described in the department's Scope of Service.
• As an SSM Health nurse, I will demonstrate the professional nursing standards defined in the professional practice model. Uses the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses to guide his/her response to the current and evolving health and nursing needs of our patients and our patient populations.
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing

Experience

• No experience required

Physical Requirements

• Constant use of speech to share information through oral communication.
• Constant standing and walking.
• Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.
• Frequent sitting, reaching and keyboard use/data entry.
• Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.
• Frequent use of smell to detect/recognize odors.
• Frequent use of hearing to receive oral communication, distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.
• Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs.
• Occasional lifting/moving of patients.
• Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting, gripping and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements.
• Occasional driving.
• Rare crawling and running.

Required Professional License And/Or Certifications

State of Work Location: Illinois

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• And
• Registered Professional Nurse (RN) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
• And
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Or
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy Pediatrics (AAP)
• Or
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Or
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Essentials - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

State of Work Location: Missouri

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• And
• Registered Nurse (RN) - Missouri Division of Professional Registration
• Or
• Registered Nurse (RN) Issued by Compact State
• And
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Or
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy Pediatrics (AAP)
• Or
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Or
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Essentials - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

State of Work Location: Oklahoma

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• And
• Registered Nurse (RN) Issued by Compact State
• Or
• Registered Nurse (RN) - Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN)
• And
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Or
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy Pediatrics (AAP)
• Or
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Or
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Essentials - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

State of Work Location: Wisconsin

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• And
• Registered Nurse (RN) Issued by Compact State
• Or
• Registered Nurse (RN) - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
• And
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Or
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy Pediatrics (AAP)
• Or
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Or
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Essentials - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Work Shift

Variable Shift (United States of America)

Job Type

Employee

Department

4402000038 RECOVERY ROOM/PACU

Scheduled Weekly Hours

32

Equal Opportunity Statement

SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Read our notice of non-discrimination