PACU/ Endoscopy Nurse

Job Summary

The PACU Nurse is responsible for providing safe, comprehensive nursing care to patients recovering from anesthesia and sedation following surgical and diagnostic procedures. The nurse closely monitors patients during the immediate post-anesthesia period, identifies and manages potential complications, and ensures patients meet established recovery and discharge criteria.

An experienced Endoscopy Nurse may bring valuable transferable skills to this role, including patient assessment, conscious sedation monitoring, airway management, post-procedure observation, and recognition of complications.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive patients from the operating room, endoscopy unit, or procedure area and perform an immediate post-anesthesia assessment.
• Monitor and document vital signs, oxygen saturation, level of consciousness, pain, and respiratory status.
• Assess and maintain airway patency and provide oxygen therapy as required.
• Recognize early signs of respiratory depression, airway obstruction, hemodynamic instability, bleeding, allergic reactions, and other post-anesthesia complications.
• Monitor patients recovering from general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and procedural sedation according to hospital policy and scope of practice.
• Administer prescribed medications, including analgesics, antiemetics, and other emergency medications as appropriate.
• Assess and manage postoperative pain and nausea/vomiting.
• Maintain accurate and timely nursing documentation.
• Communicate effectively with anesthesiologists, surgeons, physicians, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Escalate abnormal findings and changes in patient condition promptly.
• Assist with emergency interventions, including resuscitation and management of deteriorating patients.
• Ensure safe transfer of patients to the ward, day-care unit, or discharge area once appropriate recovery criteria are met.
• Provide patients and families with appropriate post-procedure instructions and education.
• Maintain infection prevention and control standards.
• Ensure safe handling and checking of medications, equipment, and emergency supplies.
• Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and continuing professional development activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Nursing from an accredited institution.
• Valid nursing license/registration in the relevant country.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is preferred or required according to facility policy.
• Previous experience in Endoscopy, Operating Room, Critical Care, Emergency, or PACU nursing is advantageous.
• Knowledge of procedural sedation and post-anesthesia patient monitoring.
• Good assessment, communication, critical-thinking, and emergency-response skills.

Preferred Skills for an Endoscopy Nurse Transitioning to PACU

• Experience monitoring patients under conscious/procedural sedation.
• Experience with airway assessment and oxygen therapy.
• Knowledge of recovery following endoscopic procedures.
• Ability to identify sedation-related complications.
• Experience with patient assessment before and after procedures.
• Familiarity with emergency medications and resuscitation procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced procedural environment.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• PACU: 5 years (Required)
• Endoscopy : 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person