Job Description

PACU Registered Nurse (RN) – Travel Nursing Contract in Berkeley, California

Apply for a PACU Registered Nurse travel nursing job in Berkeley, California, and join a dynamic perioperative care team. This on-site travel assignment offers the opportunity to provide expert post-anesthesia nursing care during Phase I and Phase II recovery while supporting same-day surgery and preoperative services. Berkeley is a vibrant East Bay community known for its cultural energy, scenic neighborhoods, excellent dining, and convenient access to the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

PACU Travel Nurse Job Details

• Location: Berkeley, California
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,320–$2,440
• Start Date: November 9, 2026
• Contract Duration: 13 weeks
• Schedule: Four 10-hour shifts per week, Monday through Friday
• Shift Duration: 10-hour day shifts, generally 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; variable start times may apply, with an 11:00 a.m. latest start
• Call: Occasional on-call shift may be required
• Healthcare Setting: Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and same-day surgery, including Phase I and Phase II recovery
• Unit Size: Approximately 14 beds with a daily census of about 15 patients
• Float Requirement: Float between PACU and same-day surgery/preoperative areas

PACU Registered Nurse Job Requirements

• At least 2 years of recent Registered Nurse experience, including experience in a PACU or post-anesthesia care setting
• Active California Registered Nurse license
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from AHA or ARC
• Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification from AHA or ARC
• Experience with electronic charting; familiarity with any charting system is acceptable
• Experience caring for patients during Phase I and Phase II post-anesthesia recovery
• Strong clinical judgment, critical thinking, communication, and emergency response skills
• Previous charge nurse experience is preferred
• PALS certification is not required for this position

PACU RN Responsibilities

• Provide safe, compassionate, and evidence-based nursing care to post-anesthesia and same-day surgery patients.
• Monitor patients during Phase I and Phase II recovery, recognize changes in condition, and initiate timely interventions.
• Perform comprehensive assessments, including pain, airway, neurologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and post-procedure evaluations.
• Administer medications, treatments, IV therapies, blood products, reversal agents, and prescribed analgesics in accordance with established protocols.
• Manage and monitor arterial lines, central lines, ventilated patients, vasopressor therapy, PCA pumps, and sedation recovery as appropriate.
• Recognize and manage dysrhythmias, changes in level of consciousness, airway concerns, and other post-operative complications.
• Support patients recovering from general, local, monitored anesthesia care, nerve block, spinal, and epidural procedures.
• Apply pain assessment and management principles, including use of the RASS scale and appropriate recovery criteria.
• Coordinate care with physicians, anesthesia professionals, nursing staff, patients, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Complete accurate documentation, communicate significant patient changes, and evaluate outcomes throughout the care process.
• Respond calmly and efficiently to medical or environmental emergencies and help maintain a safe care environment.
• Float between PACU and same-day surgery/preoperative areas while maintaining consistent standards of care.

Apply now for this PACU Registered Nurse travel contract and join a leading perioperative care team in Berkeley, California.

Benefits

401K with Matching, Healthcare, Dental and Vision

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity across our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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