Step into a role where your clinical expertise and compassion truly matter. At University of New Mexico Hospital, we’re seeking a skilled and dedicated PACU Registered Nurse to join our high-performing team, delivering exceptional care to patients before and after surgery in a fast-paced, high-acuity setting.
As a preoperative nurse, you’ll be the calm before the storm—performing key assessments, starting IVs, preparing patients physically and emotionally for surgery, and collaborating with the surgical team to ensure everything is in place for safe, efficient procedures.
In the post-anesthesia care unit, you’ll care for a diverse patient population including pediatrics, adults, obstetrics, and cardiac patients—some requiring ICU-level care. Your responsibilities will include closely monitoring vital signs, managing pain and post-op complications, and guiding patients through the critical moments of recovery.
This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to be part of a team that values professional excellence, teamwork, and continuous learning. You’ll work alongside top-tier medical professionals, contribute to interdisciplinary care plans, and provide leadership and mentorship to peers—all while advocating fiercely for patient safety and comfort. If you're passionate about critical care, thrive under pressure, and are ready to grow within a supportive and innovative environment, the UNMH PACU team is the place for you. Come be part of something extraordinary
Sign-On Bonus Available
Relocation Assistance Available
Minimum Offer
$ 33.07/hr.
Maximum Offer
$ 54.50/hr.
Compensation Disclaimer
Compensation for this role is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, and other business and organizational considerations.
Department: PACU
FTE: 1.00
Full Time
Shift: Rotating
Position Summary:
Work under the general nursing process while using independent judgment to assign nurses, technicians and nursing care to assigned patients. Designate shift and schedule assignments, call in staff, send staff home and monitor attendance. Provide clinical leadership for nursing and technician staff. Ensure adequate staff to meet patient census. Supervise staff and patient care delivery on designated shift, and serve as a clinical resource for staff. Serve as a role model to promote a positive work environment and quality patient care. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. Patient care assignment may include neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups.
Detailed responsibilities:
* STRATEGIC INITIATIVE - Active participation in nursing strategic initiatives such as quality improvement and monitoring, TJC compliance, Magnet Recognition, recruitment and retention of staff and patient and employee satisfaction
* SHARED GOVERNANCE - Support and implement the UNMH shared governance model
* INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT - Using independent judgment assign nursing personnel and staff to specific patients
* ASSIGNMENT - Designate shift and schedule assignments; assign duties in accordance with the plan of care, patient needs, and within the scope of staff qualifications and licensure/certification/registry
* ACCOUNTABILITY - Supervise and direct staff providing patient care; accountable for care provided to patients on assigned shift
* LIAISON - Act as liaison as necessary between physicians, staff, patients, families, and other departments to promote and facilitate communication, problem solving, decision-making, crisis intervention, resource utilization, and conflict management
* SUPERVISION - Develop efficient organizational structure. Supervise employees and select, terminate, train, educate, correct deficiencies, perform appraisals, issue discipline, counsel, schedule work assignments; encourage staff teamwork and growth initiatives
* ROLE MODEL - Act as a clinical resource and role model for department personnel
* DELEGATION - Delegate and monitor completion of duties according to departmental and Hospitals policies
* PATIENT CARE - Deliver safe direct care to an assigned group of patients as required
* POLICIES - Work within Hospitals, Nursing division and departmental policies
* CARE PLAN - Work in collaboration with the healthcare team, implement and document individualized care plans incorporating age specific considerations, including discharge planning and patient/family teaching
* TESTS AND PROCEDURES - Assist with special tests and procedures, ensure proper consent has been obtained
* PARTICIPATION - Participate in orientation; upon successful completion of preceptor training assume precepting and evaluation responsibilities of new personnel
* EMERGENCY MEASURES - Assist with or institute emergency measures for sudden, adverse developments in patients
* MEDICAL RECORDS - Ensure that patient medical records contain necessary information
* INQUIRIES - Answer telephones and triage calls as per departmental policy
* MEDICATION - Administer medication, including IV medication, via the Seven Rights; document and communicate clinical findings
* ENVIRONMENT - Maintain a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients/families in accordance with Hospitals standards
* DEVELOPMENT - Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops
* PATIENT SAFETY 1 - Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
* PATIENT SAFETY 2 - Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
* PATIENT SAFETY 3 - Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
* PATIENT SAFETY 4 - Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner
* PATIENT SAFETY 5 - Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right"
Qualifications
Education:
Essential:
* Program Graduate
Nonessential:
* Bachelor's Degree
Education specialization:
Essential:
* Nationally Accredited Nursing Graduate
Nonessential:
* Nursing
Experience:
Essential:
2 years directly related experience
Nonessential:
Bilingual English/Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Zuni, or Navajo
Credentials:
Essential:
* CPR for Healthcare/BLS Prov or Prof Rescuers w/in 30 days
* RN in NM or as allowed by reciprocal agreement by NM
Nonessential:
* Nationally Certified in area of specialty
Physical Conditions:
Heavy Work: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects or people. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.
Working conditions:
Essential:
* Sig Hazard: Chemicals, Bio Hazardous Materials req PPE
* Subject to an annual contract and performance appraisal
Department: Registered Nurse
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