Registered Nurse - Pre-Op/PACU

Jimmy Jazz; Homer (AK); On-site; USD 98,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

South Peninsula Hospital seeks a Pre-operative and PACU RN to deliver skilled perioperative care from patient prep through recovery. You will assess, prep, and educate patients and families while coordinating with anesthesia and surgical teams in a fast-paced environment.

Required BLS/ACLS, with PALS or ability to obtain within 6 months. ICU/PACU/ER exposure and at least two years of acute care nursing are preferred; on-call shifts and varied hours are included.

Qualifications

• Current BLS and ACLS certifications required.
• PALS certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months.
• RN license, Acute care nursing experience preferred.
• Ability to work in high-pressure perioperative settings with safety focus.
• Familiarity with EHR and hospital systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-operative assessments and prepare patients and families for surgery.
• Administer and titrate anesthesia-related and pain medications.
• Assist with perioperative admission and discharge processes.
• Provide postoperative care in the PACU with anesthesia teams.
• Communicate patient status clearly to care teams and document thoroughly.
• Handle emergent situations calmly and participate in scheduling and charting.
• Support department coverage and take on-call duties as needed.

Skills

BLS Certification

ACLS Certification

PALS Certification

Acute care nursing

Teamwork

On-call flexibility

Education

RN License

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Hospital Information Systems

Job description

• Base Pay $47.53 / Hour
• Job Category Nursing

Description

Join a dedicated surgical team as a Pre-operative and PACU RN, delivering expert, compassionate care from patient preparation through recovery. Manage the full perioperative patient experience—performing assessments, assisting with anesthesia recovery, coordinating care, and educating patients and families—while ensuring safety and comfort in a fast-paced surgical environment.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Community-Centric: Pairing small town values with industry-leading standards, South Peninsula Hospital values and invests in our staff and deeply cares about our patients.
• Benefits: This is not a benefited position. In lieu of benefits, an additional 15% premium is added to the base pay for all Per Diem (Casual) employees.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct pre-operative assessments, review patient history and physicals, and prepare patients and families for surgery.
• Administer and titrate anesthesia-related and pain control medications safely and effectively.
• Assist with patient admission and discharge in the perioperative setting.
• Provide postoperative care including assessments with anesthesia providers and support in the recovery area.
• Communicate patient status clearly and completely to other caregivers to promote continuity of care.
• Manage emergent situations calmly, responding promptly and appropriately.
• Participate in scheduling surgeries and enter orders, review diagnostics, and maintain accurate charting.
• Assist with day-to-day department coverage as needed.
• Take on-call duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Prior experience in ICU, PACU, or Emergency Room preferred.
• At least two years of acute care nursing experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of anesthesia medications and antagonists, with ability to administer and titrate doses.
• Ability to work effectively in emergent, high-pressure situations while maintaining composure.
• Excellent observation, assessment, and documentation skills.
• Commitment to patient safety and privacy.
• Flexibility to work varied hours and take on-call shifts.
• Willingness to cross-train and assist in special projects.
• Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration.

ENVIRONMENT:

The South Peninsula Hospital is a combined 22-bed Acute Care Critical Access Hospital and 28-bed Long Term Care facility located at the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula in South-Central Alaska. The Surgery department is located on the second floor and provides care to patients across a range of ages, from pediatric to geriatric populations. The role involves managing complex patient and family needs alongside physician and anesthesia demands, often under emergency conditions. The position requires physical stamina for prolonged standing, walking, and repetitive hand motions, as well as safely lifting or exerting force when necessary. The RN maintains a professional, calm demeanor to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all surgical patients.

Additional Information

• FTE 0
• Position type Union
• Shift Type Days
• Hours As Needed
• EEO Notice We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any prohibited characteristics.