Registered Nurse - PACU

Location:

D70 Watkin Mills, 55 West Watkins Mill Road, Suite 250, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA.

Pay or shift range: $45 USD to $55 USD per hour. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Position Summary / Scope of responsibility

The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nurse is responsible for providing high-quality, compassionate nursing care to patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical procedures in an ambulatory surgery center setting. The PACU Nurse monitors patients closely for signs of complications, manages post-operative pain and nausea, and ensures patients meet discharge criteria. The nurse works collaboratively with the surgical and anesthesia teams to ensure safe and timely patient recovery in accordance with regulatory standards and best practices.

This position will support operations at Watkins Mill Surgery Center, ensuring efficient daily workflows and high-quality patient care delivery. Watkins Mill Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, serving the DMV region and specializing in orthopedic surgery and pain management.

Primary Responsibilities

The incumbent may be asked to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically stated in this description. The duties and responsibilities of the position are to be carried out in a manner that is consistent with the Mission, Core Values and Operating Principles of CAO.

• Organize time, equipment, and supplies to maximize workflow and patient care.
• Use clinical equipment effectively, anticipating and meeting patient needs.
• Ensure adherence to accepted standards of nursing practice and facility protocols.
• Maintain cleanliness, order, and proper inventory levels in the recovery areas.
• Assess and document patients' physical and emotional status upon arrival to the recovery room.
• Provide post-anesthesia care per protocol, monitoring vitals, level of consciousness, pain, and surgical sites.
• Deliver individualized nursing care based on the surgical procedure and type of anesthesia used.
• Monitor for post-op complications and promptly inform the surgeon or anesthetist.
• Perform discharge assessments to ensure patient safety and readiness for discharge.
• Review discharge instructions, prescriptions, and follow-up care with patients and their caregivers.
• Educate patients and families on signs of complications and methods for gaining immediate care.
• Ensure patient understanding of home care instructions, promoting comfort, reassurance, privacy, and dignity.
• Document all PACU care and instructions in the medical record.
• Develop and implement individualized post-operative care plans based on assessment data.
• Ensures consistent compliance with all regulatory and CAO guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationship

The Registered Nurse reports directly to the Nurse Manager or Director of Nursing. This role does not have direct reports.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• RN license required.
• 1-2 years of experience working in an outpatient surgery PACU or main OR PACU required.
• CPR Certification required.
• ACLS certification required.
  
  Proficient knowledge of medical terminology.
• Experience collaborating across multiple functions.
• Experience innovating in a fast-growing work environment and dealing with ambiguity.

Competencies / Required

Skills and Abilities

• Strong Interpersonal Skills - Ability to develop relationships and collaborate and influence in a decentralized organization.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment with a proven track record of results.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with excellent self-discipline and patience.
• Able to work independently.
• Excellent time management, organization, and administrative support skills.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in the English language.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be…