PACU Nurse Job Description Template

Any healthcare facility that offers inpatient or outpatient surgical services needs a dedicated team of nurses to care for patients before, during, and after surgery. Recovery room nurses, also known as post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses, have the specialized skill set required to monitor, treat, and keep patients safe as they wake up from surgery. They also play an important role in determining a patient’s readiness to be discharged home or to an inpatient unit.

If your facility is hiring nurses in the perioperative department, it’s important to create a job posting that attracts the most fitting candidates. We cover what to include in a PACU nurse job description and how to make yours stand out from other facilities in the following template. Couple this template with a list of thoughtful interview questions that can help you get to know your top applicants. Looking for additional job market insights? Take a look at current PACU job openings from other facilities and learn what can make your posting stand out from others.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nurse

Tips: Although the PACU isn’t typically part of the critical care division of a hospital, many facilities require PACU nurses to have an ICU background. This is because patients can experience status changes abruptly as their bodies adjust to surgery. Nurses in the PACU use clinical judgment to make interventions and notify surgeons of condition changes as appropriate.

As you craft your PACU registered nurse job description, identify the requirements for the role with the hiring team. This helps potential candidates understand the expectations, such as previous experience, before applying. You may also want to clarify if the position is suitable for new graduate nurses. Include these details in a brief overview section that describes the PACU nurse’s role at your facility and why they would want to work there.

Template:

The PACU nurse is responsible for continuous monitoring of post-operative patients in the main hospital. They oversee the direct care of neuro, trauma, ortho, or general surgery patients. The RN is responsible for ensuring patient safety, pain management, and education in the post-surgical phase. Nurses must have a working knowledge of the theory and principles of perianesthesia care.

At our hospital, you would join a team that takes pride in itself as a magnet organization. We focus on high standards and quality which is why our nurses must have a BSN degree within two years of hire. Nurses with at least two years of critical care or emergency department experience are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Tips: Every post anesthesia care nurse job description should clearly outline the benefits package that comes with the role. Nurses have a variety of employment options, from accepting per diem shifts to contract nurse opportunities. If the job posting is for a full-time position, make sure to include employment benefits that make your facility a candidate’s top choice.

Template:

• Health, vision, and dental benefits
• Paid time off (PTO)
• On-call and overtime opportunities
• Employer-matched retirement
• Tuition assistance
• Employee discount program

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: Use this part of the posting to expand on the expectations for the role. Be sure to include details that make this position stand out from other job postings. For example, if your facility requires PACU nurses to also care for preoperative patients, create a customized pre-op/PACU nurse job description. Working in the pre-op/holding area can make a difference in a nurse’s schedule, shifts, and skill set requirements.

Template:

• Monitoring vital signs for the post-surgical patient
• Observing for condition changes and communicating findings to surgeons or the appropriate care team members
• Documenting post-op vitals, labs, or point-of-care testing
• Performing physical assessments and addressing patients’ pain and emotional needs
• Delegating tasks to non-clinical team members
• Ensuring patient stability and readiness for transfer to inpatient units
• Performing discharge teaching
• Recognizing signs of post-op complications or medical emergencies

Compensation and Shifts

Tips: This is another part of your PACU RN job description that can be used to showcase the benefits of employment at your facility, including the pay and schedule flexibility a nurse may desire. Even if you’re not located in a state that requires pay transparency on job postings, it’s a good idea to include the starting hourly rate. This helps nurses calculate their potential income based on factors like years of experience and overtime potential. If you’re creating a PACU charge nurse job description, include the differential for a leadership position.

Template:

• 3 12’s, rotating 7a-7p and 7p-7a
• One on-call weekend per month
• Hourly rate starting at $36
• Night, weekend, and on-call differential

Qualifications and Skills

Tips: In this section of the PACU nurse job description, describe what makes a nurse uniquely qualified to apply. Include any PACU nurse requirements like the minimum education or work experience expected for the role.

Template:

• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to problem-solve
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• At least two years of recent PACU, ICU, or ED experience required
• Graduate from an accredited nursing school
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree required within two years of hire
• Current state RN licensure
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications within 60 days of employment

Call to Action

Tips: Now that you’ve gotten the potential candidate’s interest, it’s time to challenge them to take the next step. Include a call to action such as “apply now” or “learn more about working here.” Don’t forget to include clear directions on where and how to apply and any necessary documents or references.

Template:

Begin your PACU career with a team of dedicated healthcare professionals consistently ranked in the Top 10 Best Hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Apply now to join our team today.

Start Hiring PACU Nurses Today

Now that you’ve put together a PACU nurse job description that reflects the needs of your facility, it’s time to attract qualified candidates. IntelyCare’s nursing-only job board can help you find top applicants by connecting you with a nationwide network of nursing professionals.