RN: PACU (PRN)

RN: Pre-Operative & Post Anesthesia (PACU) – PRN

Position Highlight

Bring your perioperative nursing experience to a collaborative surgical team where you can make a difference throughout the patient's surgical journey.

Pagosa Springs Medical Center is seeking an experienced PRN Pre-Operative/Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse to support patients before and after surgical and procedural care. This position provides hands-on nursing care, monitoring, education, and intervention for patients undergoing a variety of procedures and recovering from anesthesia.

Position Summary

The Pre-Operative/PACU RN coordinates and manages patient care throughout the pre-operative and post-operative phases of surgical care. This includes comprehensive assessment, monitoring, intervention, patient and family education, and care of patients recovering from general, regional, monitored anesthesia care, and local anesthesia.

The RN works closely with the surgical and anesthesia teams and may function as a Pre-Operative Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse, Conscious Sedation RN, and/or Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) Nurse.

Why Join PSMC?

• Work with a collaborative, multidisciplinary Surgical Services team
• Provide specialized care across the perioperative continuum
• Support patients through pre-operative preparation, recovery, discharge, and education
• Maintain and expand specialized PACU and perioperative nursing skills
• Serve a rural community where experienced nurses make a direct impact on patient access and quality of care
• Earn an additional $5.00/hour PRN differential

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Operative & PACU Nursing Care

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and develop individualized plans of care
• Monitor patients throughout recovery from anesthesia
• Assess cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, hemodynamic, pain, comfort, and mental status
• Identify changes in patient condition and promptly communicate concerns to anesthesia providers and surgeons
• Apply appropriate post-anesthesia discharge and transfer criteria
• Provide patient and family education throughout the perioperative experience

Clinical Care & Monitoring

• Provide recovery care following general, regional, local, and monitored anesthesia care
• Perform cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring
• Support airway management and vascular access
• Administer medications, IV therapies, and other treatments as ordered
• Provide acute pain and comfort management
• Monitor surgical wounds, tissue perfusion, fluid balance, temperature, and other physiological systems
• Recognize and respond appropriately to clinical changes and emergencies

Pre-Operative & Procedural Support

• Verify history and physical documentation and required surgical or procedural consents
• Complete pre-operative checklists and provide face-to-face handoff to the OR team
• Complete patient assessments and documentation in the electronic health record
• Verify orders, labs, authorizations, and other pre-procedure requirements
• Assist anesthesia providers and surgical staff as needed
• Maintain safe, clean, appropriately stocked recovery and procedure areas
• Assist with conscious sedation and other procedures within RN scope and demonstrated competency

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program
• Current Colorado RN license in good standing
• Current AHA BLS certification for healthcare providers
• ACLS certification, or successful completion of the next available course within three months
• PALS certification, or successful completion of the next available course within three months
• Experience with orthopedic, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, ENT surgical procedures, and interventional pain management
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic health record systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Three or more years of experience in a perioperative setting, Emergency Department, and/or Intensive Care Unit
• Gastroenterology or Endoscopy Lab experience
• CPAN (Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse) or CAPA (Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse) certification

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate strong clinical judgment and assessment skills
• Be comfortable caring for patients recovering from anesthesia
• Recognize and respond quickly to changes in patient condition
• Communicate effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, patients, and families
• Work independently while collaborating closely with the surgical team
• Remain calm and effective in a fast-paced clinical environment
• Demonstrate strong attention to patient safety, medication safety, infection prevention, and documentation
• Maintain current perioperative knowledge and clinical competencies
• Demonstrate PSMC's WISER values of Wholeness, Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence, and Respect

Schedule & Work Environment

This is a PRN position supporting Surgical Services based on departmental scheduling and patient-care needs.

The position may include irregular hours and on-call responsibilities. When assigned on-call coverage, a 30-minute response time is required.

Work is performed in a hospital and surgical environment and includes exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable disease, radiation, chemicals, hazardous materials, sharp instruments, medical equipment, and the physical demands associated with moving or positioning patients and equipment.

Compensation & PRN Benefits

Compensation

• Base hourly rate: $40.11 - $50.14
• PRN Differential: +$5.00/hour

Placement within the base range will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, and PSMC's applicable compensation practices.

PRN Benefits

Eligible PRN employees receive:

• Colorado HFWA sick leave accrual in accordance with applicable law and PSMC policy
• 401(a) retirement plan with employee and employer contributions
• 457(b) voluntary retirement savings option

About Pagosa Springs Medical Center

Pagosa Springs Medical Center is a Critical Access Hospital serving Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County in southwest Colorado. Our Surgical Services team provides high-quality perioperative care with a strong focus on patient safety, collaboration, and personalized service.

Located in the beautiful San Juan Mountains, Pagosa Springs offers an exceptional quality of life with year-round opportunities for hiking, skiing, fishing, mountain biking, rafting, hunting, and other outdoor recreation.

At PSMC, you'll join a collaborative team guided by our WISER values: Wholeness, Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence, and Respect.

Apply Today

If you're an experienced RN with perioperative or critical-care skills and are looking for a flexible PRN opportunity in a collaborative rural hospital environment, we encourage you to apply.

Bring your clinical expertise to PSMC Surgical Services and help provide safe, compassionate care throughout each patient's surgical experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pagosa Springs Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws.