RN, Per Diem - PTU/PACU, Westwood

University of California - Los Angeles Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Los Angeles Health seeks a skilled PTU Nurse to care for patients recovering from anesthesia, monitor vitals, assess recovery, and manage pain in a fast-paced academic medical center.

Preferred candidates have 2+ years ICU or PACU experience, a CA RN license, and BLS certification. The role emphasizes patient-centered care, teamwork, and safety in the recovery unit.

Qualifications

• BSN or MSN required.
• Current California RN license.
• BLS certification from ARC or AHA.
• Minimum 2 years ICU or PACU experience.
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and perform comprehensive patient assessments.

Responsibilities

• Assess and monitor patients in immediate post-anesthesia recovery.
• Evaluate consciousness levels and monitor vital signs.
• Manage pain and identify post-operative complications.
• Document assessments, interventions, and outcomes clearly.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team for patient-centered care.

Skills

ICU experience

Post-anesthesia care

Nursing assessment

Vital signs monitoring

Team-based care

Education

BSN/MSN

Tools

POMR

Job description

Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and compassionate PTU Nurse to provide exceptional care for patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical and procedural interventions. In this role, you will be responsible for assessing and monitoring patients during the immediate post-anesthesia recovery period, evaluating levels of consciousness, monitoring vital signs, managing pain, and identifying and treating post-operative complications or side effects of anesthesia.

As a PTU Nurse at our world-class academic medical center, you will play a critical role in ensuring safe, high-quality patient care while providing reassurance and support to patients and their families throughout the recovery process. We are looking for a nurse who is committed to clinical excellence, patient-centered care, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Qualifications

*Please ensure your resume and application clearly specify the unit(s) you have worked on as part of your work experience*

Required:

• BSN or MSN
• Current California RN license
• BLS from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
• Minimum of 2 years of recent ICU experience
• Ability to push, pull, lift, up to 35 lbs.
• Demonstrated clinical skills applicable to the nursing specialty.
• Ability to perform comprehensive patient assessments, including historical, physical, and behavioral evaluations using appropriate clinical frameworks.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality patient care utilizing team, primary, or functional nursing care models.
• Skilled in implementing appropriate nursing interventions and evaluating patient responses.
• Strong documentation skills with the ability to accurately record assessments, interventions, and outcomes.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized patient care plans in collaboration with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Knowledge of Problem-Oriented Medical Record (POMR) charting.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to effectively manage workload in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate patient assessments, nursing interventions, and care plans.
• Ability to remain calm and work effectively in stressful and crisis situations.
• Commitment to maintaining departmental standards regarding attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and flexible scheduling requirements.
• Knowledge and application of proper body mechanics and safe patient handling practices.

Preferred

• 2 years of PACU experience
• Pediatric (Peds) experience