Registered Nurse, RN PACU
Posting Details
Job Details
Description
Job Title: RN - Recovery
Schedule:Open availability, staggered shifts, M-F (per diem Saturdays)
Essential Functions:
Assists in provision of nursing care to patients in a same day surgery setting. Assumes total responsibility for patient care in accordance with physician’s orders and centers policies. Monitors and controls use of and charging for supplies utilized in the center.
Supervision Received: Supervisor of Clinical Services
Education/ Experience:
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
- Current Registered Nurse License
- 2 years PACU ASC experience preferred
- Orthopaedic experience preferred
- Current American Heart Assn. BLS, ACLS and PALS certifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Assesses, develops and implements total nursing care for post-operative patients
- Records and reports to appropriate persons all symptoms, reactions abnormalities and changes in the physical and/or mental conditions of the post-operative patients
- Administers medications and treatments ordered by the physicians
- Cares and discharges post-operative patients according to facility policies
- Able to accurately assess need for pain and /or nausea medication
- An order always precedes the administration of medication
- Intended actions and side effects are known
- Medications are documented
- Maintains patient and employee privacy and confidential information
- Provides psychological support to patients and/or families
- Maintains rapport with physicians and other departments providing care for the patients, (i.e.: home x-ray, outside radiology)
- Admits patients to sit-up area
- Performs routine charging of medications and supplies
- Accurately checks charge sheets for supplies used on patients
- Functions independently in emergency situations
- Able to make logical quick decisions based on sound judgment
- Maintains competence through continuing education
- Meets requirements for CEU re-licensure
- Assists in orientation of new employees with factual information regarding current departmental policies
- Acts as a resource for new employees
- Maintains supplies and cleanliness in the work environment
Physical Demands:
- Standing: 66-100%
- Sitting: 0-33%
- Walking: 66-100%
- Lifting: 0-50lbs. as needed
- Carrying: 0-25lbs. as needed
- Pushing: 0-400lbs. on wheels with assistance as needed
- Climbing: 1-5 flights of stairs as necessary
- Pulling: As necessary while providing patient care
- Bending: Proper bending necessary to pick things off the floor
- Squatting: As necessary while providing care
- Rotating: Shoulders as necessary
- Kneeling: If necessary while providing patient care
- Reaching: overhead while providing patient care
- General comments: Visual and hearing senses must be adequate to provide patient care.
Environmental Conditions:
- Inside 95-100%
- Outside 0-5%
- Temperature 30F-115F
- Fumes: Occasional
- Dust: Occasional
- Gases: None
- Odors: Occasional
- Mist: Occasional
- Radiation: Occasional
- Noise or Vibrations: Biomedical equipment, needles, sharps, copy machine, phones, latex, disinfectants, etc.
- Hazards: Occasional contact with communicable disease, electrical equipment, etc.
- Personal Protective Equipment: Provided (gowns, gloves, masks, head cover).
This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions may change as needs evolve.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Health Savings Account with an employer contribution
- Life Insurance
- PTO
- 401(k) retirement plan with a company match
- And more!
Equal Employment Opportunity & Work Force Diversity
Our organization is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, parental status, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic testing results or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. This practice relates to all personnel matters such as compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, layoffs, etc. Furthermore, our organization is committed to going beyond the legal requirements of equal employment opportunity to take positive actions which ensure diversity in the workplace and result in a multi-cultural organization.
Qualifications
Skills
Behaviors
Required
Innovative
Team Player
Detail Oriented
Enthusiastic
Dedicated
Motivations
Required
Work-Life Balance
Flexibility
Education
Experience
Required
2 years:
ASC setting; PACU orthopedic experience preferred.Licenses & Certifications
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Freqently Asked Questions
Working as a Registered Nurse in PACU involves specialized post-operative care focusing on patient recovery immediately after surgery. Unlike general nursing roles, PACU nurses in Chicago handle acute monitoring, pain management, and rapid assessments in a fast-paced outpatient surgery environment, requiring skills tuned to same-day surgical procedures.
Staggered shifts at Surgery Partners demand adaptability as patient inflow varies throughout the day. RN PACUs must maintain high vigilance for post-op complications while balancing workload fluctuations, requiring strong time management and resilience to deliver consistent care across diverse shift hours in an outpatient setting.
Besides the mandatory RN license, American Heart Association certifications such as BLS, ACLS, and PALS greatly improve a PACU nurse’s eligibility in Illinois. These certifications ensure readiness for cardiovascular and pediatric emergencies, aligning with state healthcare standards and elevating patient safety in post-anesthesia care units.
Chicago’s robust healthcare infrastructure supports a steady demand for PACU nurses, particularly in outpatient surgery centers. Compared to smaller cities, the urban population and numerous specialized facilities create more frequent openings and competitive salaries, making it a hotspot for PACU nursing opportunities.
Registered Nurse PACU salaries in Chicago typically range from $75,000 to $95,000 annually, influenced by experience, certifications, and facility type. Outpatient centers like Surgery Partners may offer competitive pay packages including benefits, reflecting the specialized skills and demanding nature of post-anesthesia care nursing.
Surgery Partners invests in continuous education and skill development for RN PACU nurses, offering access to certifications, training in orthopedic care, and opportunities to act as mentors. Their focus on team collaboration and innovation fosters career advancement in a dynamic outpatient surgical environment.
The RN PACU role at Surgery Partners emphasizes autonomy in emergency decision-making and patient-centered care within a same-day surgery setting. Their commitment to diversity, supportive work culture, and comprehensive benefits package sets this position apart from other local healthcare providers.
Chicago’s traffic congestion can extend commute times, affecting punctuality and shift transitions for PACU nurses. Surgery Partners’ location is accessible via public transit and major roads, but nurses often account for peak hour delays, highlighting the importance of flexible scheduling and shift planning.
Orthopedic cases are common in outpatient surgeries, so RN PACUs with orthopedic experience are better equipped to manage pain and monitor post-op complications specific to musculoskeletal procedures. This background enhances patient outcomes and efficiency in centers like Surgery Partners where such surgeries are frequent.
Employees at Surgery Partners enjoy health, dental, vision insurance, PTO, and a 401(k) with matching, supporting financial and personal wellness. The scheduling flexibility with staggered shifts and per diem options helps PACU nurses maintain a balanced lifestyle amidst the demands of post-operative care.
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