Staff Nurse, DCAM Pre-Op/PACU – Full-Time, Days

Job Description

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Staff Nurse in the DCAM Pre-Op/PACU department. This position is a 100% onsite opportunity at our Hyde Park campus.

As a Staff Nurse in DCAM Pre-Op/PACU, you will provide comprehensive nursing care to patients before and following surgical and procedural services. You will assess patient readiness, monitor patients during post-anesthesia recovery, provide education, and collaborate with the multidisciplinary care team to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality care.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs comprehensive preoperative assessments, including reviewing medical history, medications, allergies, laboratory results, and procedural readiness.
• Prepares patients for surgical and procedural services, including initiating intravenous access, administering medications, and providing patient and family education.
• Receives and monitors patients following anesthesia and procedural sedation.
• Assesses airway, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and pain status during the recovery period.
• Administers medications, treatments, and nursing interventions in accordance with established policies and provider orders.
• Recognizes changes in patient condition and responds appropriately to urgent or emergent situations.
• Evaluates patients against established discharge criteria and provides postoperative and discharge instructions.
• Collaborates with surgeons, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, nursing staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Follows infection prevention, patient safety, regulatory, and professional nursing standards.
• Participates in quality-improvement activities and supports efficient patient flow throughout the department.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
• Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Illinois.
• Current Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Previous Pre-Op, PACU, critical care, emergency department, or perioperative nursing experience.
• Current ACLS and PALS certifications.
  
  

POSITION DETAILS

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week
• Shift: Days
• Schedule: 6:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Work Location: Hyde Park
• Unit/Department: 33012 – DCAM Pre-Op/PACU – Hyde Park
• CBA Code: NNU