The Pre-Operative and Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse is a professional registered nurse (RN) responsible for all aspects of the nursing process in delivering and supervising direct patient care. Adhering to established policies and standards of practice, this nurse demonstrates leadership in improving patient care and serves as a role model for clinical excellence.
Reporting directly to the Perioperative Nurse Manager, the incumbent manages complex situations in a self-directed manner
Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to; Provides comprehensive nursing care during the pre-operative period as well as Phase I and Phase II post-anesthesia recovery.-Administers prescribed medications, including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) drugs and anticoagulants, as ordered by anesthesia or surgical providers, utilizing all necessary safety precautions.-Responds effectively during resuscitation situations, safely participating in code blue or rapid response events.
Demonstrates clinical competency regarding the effects of anesthesia and provides appropriate interventions, escalating concerns in a timely and effective manner. Transduces pressure lines, when necessary, in emergent situations and accurately evaluates hemodynamic parameters. Manages thermoregulation, cardiac, and hemodynamic status of patients throughout the perioperative and recovery periods.
Performs tasks independently or seeks assistance when appropriate; skills include but are not limited to: phlebotomy, peripheral IV insertion, performing and interpreting 12-lead ECG, administering blood transfusions, and urinary catheter placement.-Demonstrates working knowledge of a wide range of surgical procedures, including General Surgery, Ophthalmology, Urology, Orthopedics, and Podiatry, to effectively reinforce preoperative and preprocedural patient education.
Reviews discharge instructions and educational materials with the patient and their caregivers, ensuring understanding and compliance.-Functions independently in patient care, guided by patient assessment and established discharge criteria, with periodic oversight by the Charge Nurse. Maintains current certification in Adult Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).-Performs other related duties as assigned.
Demonstrates the following core informatics functions to include content management, application support, health information technology system optimization, enterprise data management, business architecture management, partnership management, requirements management, and change management.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Tour of duty to be discussed during interview.
Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $82309 – $161732/yr.
Applications close on 2026-10-12.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
Apply on official site →