Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

Sentara Healthcare Inc; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, VA is seeking a Registered Nurse for the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The unit supports a 10-bed PACU with Phase I recovery care across multiple surgical specialties; this role includes unique coverage of cases from CVIR and Endoscopy.

Qualifications include a current RN license, BSN preferred or ADN required, and BLS/ACLS/PALS. Minimum 1 year of critical care or PACU experience; on-call required with a rotating 6-week schedule.

Qualifications

• BSN preferred; ADN required.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) required.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) required.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) required.
• Minimum 1 year of Critical Care (ICU) or PACU experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive post-anesthesia assessments, emphasizing airway management, hemodynamic stability, and pain control.
• Manage a 10-bed unit flow effectively, prioritizing patient acuity and discharge readiness.
• Collaborate closely with Anesthesiologists, Surgeons, and Proceduralists (Endo/CVIR) to ensure seamless continuity of care.
• Administer medications and treatments according to established policies and patient needs.
• Educate patients and families regarding post-operative care and discharge instructions.

Skills

Critical Care

ICU experience

PACU

Education

BSN preferred

ADN required

Job description

Overview

Generous sign-on bonus $15K and Relocation Assistance for qualified candidates and positions.

Sentara CarePlex Hospital located in Hampton, VA is hiring a Registered Nurse for the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

Status: Full-Time (0.9 FTE)

Shift: Mid/Evenings (Multiple Schedule Options Available)

Call Requirements: Yes (Rotating 6-week schedule)

Position Summary

We are seeking a skilled and dynamic Registered Nurse to join our 10-bed Post Anesthesia Care Unit. Our PACU team provides critical recovery care for a diverse mix of surgical acuity, ensuring patient safety and comfort during the immediate post-operative phase.

This position is ideal for a clinician who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys a wide variety of cases. In addition to main OR recoveries, this role holds a unique scope of responsibility, overseeing the recovery of patients receiving General Anesthesia in our interventional and procedural areas.

Clinical Scope & Patient Population

In this role, you will provide Phase I recovery care for a mixed level of surgical procedures, including but not limited to:

• Vascular

• Urology & Gynecology

• Orthopedics

• Oncology

• Bariatrics

• General Surgery

Expanded Scope: Unique to this unit, the PACU team also oversees and manages the recovery of all cases utilizing General Anesthesia originating from the CVIR (Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology) and Endoscopy departments.

On-Call Requirements

Call is assigned based on a 6-week schedule block. The successful candidate must be able to meet the following response times and coverage requirements (must live within 30 minutes of Hospital):

• Weeknight Call:

  • Frequency: 4–5 shifts per 6-week schedule.

  • Hours: 21:00 – 07:00 (Overnight coverage window).

• Weekend Call:

  • Frequency: 1 weekend per 6-week schedule.

  • Hours: Saturday 07:00 – Monday 07:00 (48-hour continuous coverage window).

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive post-anesthesia assessments, emphasizing airway management, hemodynamic stability, and pain control.

• Manage a 10-bed unit flow effectively, prioritizing patient acuity and discharge readiness.

• Collaborate closely with Anesthesiologists, Surgeons, and Proceduralists (Endo/CVIR) to ensure seamless continuity of care.

• Administer medications and treatments according to established policies and patient needs.

• Educate patients and families regarding post-operative care and discharge instructions.

Qualifications

• Licensure: Current unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license.

• Education: BSN preferred; ADN required.

• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support) required.

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) required.

  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) required

• Experience: Minimum 1 year of Critical Care (ICU) or previous PACU experience required due to the mixed acuity of the patient population.

Why Join Us?

• Variety: No two days are the same; gain experience across multiple specialties from Bariatrics to Interventional Radiology.

• Team Environment: Work in a tight-knit, collaborative 10-bed unit where your skills make a direct impact.