Hospital - PACU RN I

The RN I, PACU is a licensed staff nurse at the Novice to Advanced Beginner stage of Benner’s clinical practice model, delivering post-anesthesia care under the direction and supervision of experienced nurses and leadership. This role involves assisting with monitoring vital signs, supporting airway management, administering medications for pain and nausea, and documenting recovery progress. The RN I collaborates with the interprofessional team to ensure safe transitions from surgery to recovery or discharge. Focused on developing clinical judgment and prioritization skills, this nurse engages in continuous learning, participates in shared governance activities, and receives mentorship to support professional growth and progression in the PACU environment.

• Establishes trust with patients and families post-surgery using therapeutic communication and compassionate care.
• Collaborates with anesthesia providers and the recovery team to contribute to individualized post-op care plans.
• Responds to requests from team members and offers support during high-volume or urgent recovery needs.
• Accepts guidance and feedback from experienced staff and applies learning to future patient care.
• Assists in monitoring vital signs, oxygenation, and comfort measures for patients emerging from anesthesia.
• Helps document recovery assessments, interventions, and education in the electronic medical record.
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and sensitivity in post-operative communication and support.
• Participates in developing and updating patient recovery plans and coordinating discharge or unit transfer.
• Provides patient and family education for discharge with guidance, ensuring comprehension is verified.
• Reports signs of complications or abnormal recovery responses to senior staff promptly.
• Complies with PACU-specific policies, clinical standards, and UT Health San Antonio practice guidelines.
• Assists in maintaining the recovery environment, equipment readiness, and medication supplies.
• Contributes to smooth patient transitions to inpatient units or discharge with appropriate documentation.
• Participates in efforts to improve peer collaboration, employee engagement, and team effectiveness.
• Supports care for patients with routine recovery needs while learning to assist with more complex cases.
• Engages in shared governance, quality improvement, or safety projects relevant to PACU workflows.
• Demonstrates awareness of departmental goals for recovery time, throughput, and efficiency.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned to support safe, effective post-anesthesia care.

• Demonstrates the foundational skills needed to assist with post-anesthesia recovery care under supervision safely.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients emerging from sedation, as well as with families, providers, and care teams.
• Progressing in the ability to monitor vital signs, document recovery assessments, and assist with pain or nausea management.
• Developing confidence in managing fast-paced, high-acuity clinical situations with support from experienced team members.
• Demonstrates emerging skills in critical thinking, prioritization, and situational awareness during patient recovery.
• Gains familiarity with common PACU workflows, recovery scoring tools, and post-op safety standards.
• Uses sound judgment in recognizing signs of clinical distress and appropriately seeking assistance.
• Learns to contribute to safe handoffs, discharge education, and documentation in the EMR.
• Demonstrates effective time management with guidance, balancing patient monitoring and documentation tasks.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft products, including Outlook, to support communication and coordination.
• Ability to serve as a preceptor and a mentor by fostering a teaching environment. Position eligible for preceptor premium pay with completion of preceptor education and leader approval.

Education:

• Bachelor's of Science in Nursing required

Certification/Licensure:

• Current Texas Board of Nursing (or Compact State) RN license; Or a Temporary Texas RN License (Permanent TX license within 90 days upon hire).
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, within 7 days of hire.