Registered Nurse(PACU)

The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse (RN) provides specialized care in the assessment planning implementing and evaluation of care throughout the peri anesthesia continuum to include the Pre anesthesia Phase Post anesthesia Phase I Post anesthesia Phase II and extended care from sedation/analgesia and/or anesthesia for surgical diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The PACU RN possesses knowledge related to the physiology associated with various anesthesia techniques and surgical interventions. The PACU RN assesses and prepare patients for procedures appropriately. Performs clinical assessment of the patient and readily recognizes contraindication for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention. The PACU RN applies the appropriate post sedation scoring and assesses the patients postoperative status to include cardiovascular and respiratory systems and airway management needs neurological system hemodynamic stability pain and comfort needs and mental status implementing appropriate interventions to maintain or return all physiological system to baseline or above. The PACU RN maintains knowledge of current American Society of Peri anesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) standards Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directives and service level standard operating procedures (SOPs). The PACU RN is responsible for ensuring comprehensive documenting of all phases of care and is timely complete and accurate in the electronic health record (EHR).

The PACU RN collaborates in the development implementation evaluation and revision of policies procedures and/or guidelines. Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients. Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement. Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe quality nursing care. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals groups and populations. Responsible for the documenting broad and complex outcomes at the program or service level that can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility. May be required to perform on-call duties.

Preferred Experience:
At least 2 years of recent acute care and/or critical care experience (PACU and ICU) preferred.
Strong skills in post anesthesia recovery airway management and hemodynamic monitoring.
Competent in moderate sedation recovery and rapid response workflows.
Excellent communication and teamwork with anesthesia and surgical teams.
Current BLS/ACLS required.
BSN



Work Schedule: Monday -Friday ShiftTBD
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a masters level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelors level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing possession of a current full active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• Current full active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements but do not possess the required licensure may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)