ASU / PACU Registered Nurse 13 Week Contract

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionASU / PACU Registered Nurse – York, ME 13-week contract | 36 hours per week | 4×9-hour day shifts with weekend callJob descriptionThe ASU / PACU Registered Nurse provides pre-operative and post-anesthesia care for surgical patients in a combined Ambulatory Surgery Unit and Post Anesthesia Care Unit, supporting safe recovery from sedation and anesthesia. This role requires strong assessment skills, rapid recognition of complications, and close collaboration with anesthesia providers, surgeons, and the perioperative team in a fast-paced environment.​Key responsibilitiesDeliver comprehensive pre-op and post-anesthesia nursing care, including admission, preparation, recovery, and discharge of ASU/PACU patients in accordance with facility protocols.​Perform focused patient assessments, monitor vital signs, airway patency, pain level, level of consciousness, hemodynamic status, and respond promptly to changes in condition or post-operative complications.​Administer prescribed IV fluids, medications, analgesics, antiemetics, and other therapies; titrate pain and sedation medications within scope and document responses accurately.​Manage post-operative pain control and nausea/vomiting, using multimodal strategies and patient-centered interventions to promote comfort and safe recovery.​Collaborate closely with anesthesia providers, surgeons, and multidisciplinary staff to coordinate care, communicate assessment findings, and ensure safe handoffs between OR, PACU, ASU, and inpatient units.​Provide patient and family education on post-procedure expectations, wound and drain care, activity restrictions, medications, and follow-up, and complete discharge teaching and documentation.​Maintain accurate, timely nursing documentation in the electronic medical record, following hospital policies, perioperative standards, and regulatory requirements.​Adhere to infection prevention, patient safety, sedation/anesthesia recovery standards, and National Patient Safety Goals in the perioperative environment.​Participate in weekend call rotation as required, providing PACU/ASU coverage for urgent or add-on surgical cases.​Support safe throughput and patient flow by coordinating bed availability, transport, and discharge timing with the perioperative team.​Recognize and assist in managing emergencies such as airway compromise, laryngospasm, dysrhythmias, malignant hyperthermia, hemodynamic instability, and postoperative bleeding.