Registered Nurse (RN)- PACU

Advocate Aurora Health; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health in Winston-Salem, NC is seeking an experienced registered nurse to join the Unified PACU Team, supporting both outpatient and inpatient care across two floors of the bed tower. You will contribute to high-acuity patient care and coordinate with a multidisciplinary team.

You will use the nursing process to assess and plan care, monitor patients, ensure safety, document in Epic, and pursue ongoing professional development. A BSN is preferred and BLS is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years RN experience in Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit.
• Active RN license with multi-state compact and/or single-state license with privileges to practice in the state(s) where care is provided.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (Epic) and related clinical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Engages in unit councils, professional governance, and quality initiatives to improve care processes and apply evidence-based practices.
• Uses the nursing process to assess, plan, diagnose, implement, and evaluate nursing care, involving patients and families in the continuum of care.
• Monitors patient conditions, adjusts care plans, mobilizes resources, and collaborates with the care team to influence outcomes.
• Upholds and promotes a culture of safety.
• Continuously evaluates patient, team, and unit outcomes and takes action as needed.
• May administer medications, treatments, and therapies safely according to protocols.
• Communicates effectively and supports team collaboration and appropriate delegation.
• Pursues professional development and maintains required certifications.

Skills

Clinical judgment

Critical thinking

Time management

Communication

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Electronic documentation

Education

RN licensure

BSN preferred

Tools

Epic

Job description

Where You'll Work:

• Unified PACU Team:We’ve recently combined our outpatient and inpatient PACUs into one team. We are now operating across two floors of the bed tower (Floors 1 and 4).
• Outpatient Services:We handle a high volume of cases including orthopedics, gynecology, urology, vascular, interventional radiology (IR), brachytherapy, and ECT—primarily for patients being discharged the same day or staying short-term.
• Inpatient Services:Similar surgical mix, but with more acutely ill patients and complex procedures who may require multiple vasoactive drips. We also care for ICU-level patients, excluding open-heart and fresh organ transplant cases. Intubated ICU patients may bypass PACU depending on bed availability.
• Additional Services:We receive patients from IR, EP lab, and some from the Cath lab. After 7 PM, we also see some pediatric patients.
• Work Environment:Our hospital-based setting means a higher acuity patient population. Scrubs are provided, and we use Epic for documentation.

Major Responsibilities:

• Engages in unit councils, professional governance, and quality initiatives to improve care processes and apply evidence-based practices.
• Utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, diagnose, implement, and evaluate nursing care, engaging patients and families through the continuum of care.
• Monitors patient conditions, adjusts care plans, mobilizes resources, and collaborates with the care team to influence care outcomes.
• Upholds and promotes a culture of safety.
• Continuously evaluates patient, team, and unit outcomes, taking action as needed.
• May administer medications, treatments, and therapies safely and according to clinical protocols and procedures.
• Demonstrates effective communication, feedback, and conflict resolution, fostering team collaboration and appropriate delegation.
• Pursues professional development, completes required education, and maintains certifications.
• Adhere to the ANA Code of Ethics and practices ethical decision-making, respects interdisciplinary roles, and contributes to integrated, unbiased patient care.
• Appropriate delegation to other Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and unlicensed assistive personnel (i.e., nurse aides, credentialed medical assistants, etc.).
• Maintains accurate, timely EHR documentation.
• May be required to float to other units, departments, care areas, or facilities within the designated service area to meet patient care needs.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

Graduate of a Board of Nursing approved nursing education program.

Certification / Registration / License

• Basic Life Support (BLS). Additional education, training, certifications, or experience may be required based on specialty.
• Active registered nurse (RN) multi-state compact and/or single-state license with privileges to practice in the state(s) where the RN is providing client nursing services

Note: Licensed nurses practicing via telehealth/telenursing/virtual modalities are required to be licensed or hold the privilege to practice in the state(s) where the client(s) is/are located. Licensed nurses are responsible and accountable for knowing, understanding, and practicing in compliance with the laws, rules, regulations, andstandards of practice of the state(s) where the client(s) is/are located.

Experience

Minimum of 2 years' RN experience in the Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit required.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong clinical judgment and critical thinking.
• Time management, prioritization and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in operating computer functions (e.g., E-mail, electronic records, digital platforms etc.) clinical, aviation, maintenance, communications, and administrative departments.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to lift and support the weight of 35 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies.
• Must be able to: push/pull with 30 lbs. of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch with ability to use fine hand manipulation skills for IV insertion and other procedures/functions.
• Maneuver foot pedals on carts or machines.
• Perform physical safety interventions such as patient restraint and verbal de-escalation, if needed.
• May be exposed to chemical and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease. Therefore, protective clothing and equipment must be worn as necessary.
• Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patient and/or unit conditions.
• Physical Abilities Testing may be required.
• Additional department specific physical requirements may be identified for unique responsibilities within the department by the nurse leader.

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN)

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.