RN

Clinical Nurse

​​​​​​​St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® is New York State's only specialty designated cardiac center. A member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island, St. Francis is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a national leader for Cardiology & Heart Surgery, as well as for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery.  Additionally, U.S. News rates St. Francis as high performing in Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology.  Nursing care at St. Francis is also nationally recognized, with multiple Magnet designations, as well as the AMSN PRISM Awards® and Beacon Awards.  St. Francis has regularly out-scored other hospitals on Long Island.

St. Francis Hospital is dedicated to providing a supportive environment, committed to the highest standards of patient care, where health care professionals can develop their expertise and strengthen their credentials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to patients recovering from general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care (MAC).
• Receive postoperative patients from the operating room and obtain a comprehensive handoff report from anesthesia and surgical personnel.
• Perform initial and ongoing assessments of airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, pain, and level of consciousness.
• Continuously monitor vital signs, oxygen saturation, cardiac rhythm, and other appropriate physiological parameters.
• Recognize and respond promptly to postoperative complications, including airway obstruction, respiratory depression, hemodynamic instability, bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and altered mental status.
• Manage oxygen therapy, airway support, and other interventions within established competencies and protocols.
• Administer medications, IV fluids, and blood products as prescribed and in accordance with organizational policies.
• Assess and manage postoperative pain using appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
• Monitor surgical sites, dressings, drains, IV access, and other postoperative devices.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of assessments, interventions, medications, and patient responses.
• Evaluate patient readiness for discharge or transfer based on established recovery criteria and provider orders.
• Provide patient and family education regarding postoperative care, discharge instructions, medications, and follow-up requirements.
• Communicate effectively with physicians, anesthesia providers, surgical teams, and other healthcare professionals.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized patient care environment.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, infection prevention activities, and patient safety programs.
• Adhere to organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and professional nursing standards.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Previous PACU, critical care, emergency department, or perioperative nursing experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of anesthesia recovery, postoperative assessment, and management of acute patient conditions.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required or obtained within the organization's specified timeframe.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification preferred or required when applicable to the patient population.
• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.

Required Clinical Competencies

The PACU RN must demonstrate competency in:

• Post-anesthesia assessment and monitoring.
• Airway management and respiratory assessment.
• Hemodynamic monitoring and recognition of cardiovascular instability.
• Pain management and sedation monitoring.
• Management of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
• Recognition and management of anesthesia-related complications.
• Emergency response and resuscitation.
• Safe medication administration.
• Patient transfer and discharge readiness assessments.
• Patient and family education.

This range serves as a good faith estimate and actual pay will encompass a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience. The salary range or rate listed does not include any bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation that may be applicable to this job and it does not include the value of benefits.

At Catholic Health, we believe in a people-first approach. In addition to the estimated base pay provided, Catholic Health offers generous benefits packages, generous tuition assistance, a defined benefit pension plan, and a culture that supports professional and educational growth.